The two of them were out on the porch, enjoying the evening air as it cooled them from the heat they'd encountered inside.

She swung her leg back and forth, sitting on the railing, and he carelessly blew the smoke from his cigarette into the night.

The conversation was casual, but, internally, her mind churned as she tried to figure out how to keep it going, how to keep him out there with her. He never stayed in one place too long, so she was determined to savor and lengthen every moment.

At the same time, she wondered she'd gotten lucky enough to even get him alone at a party.

He was discussing some movie, and she nodded every so often, but she was lost in looking at him.

He had been gone a whole month—vacationing, visiting family, and whatnot—and she had missed him dearly.

A lull leaked into the conversation, then.

"So," she ventured, "where are you working this summer?"

He took one last drag on his cigarette, then stamped it out. "I got a gig on a local set, but filming only shoots in the evenings, so for most of the day I'm pretty much free,"

"That must be nice, not to have a crazy schedule," she replied, trying not to show her happiness when he came up next to her and leaned on the railing.

He shrugged, "I actually get kind of bored during the day, but it pays the bills and it's good for my portfolio,"

"I wish!" She laughed, "I can't remember the last time I had a chance to be bored!"

He grinned, "Really?"

"Yeah, I'm so busy. I'd like a break to do something fun,"

"Well you're at this party tonight,"

She snorted, "Yeah, but I have to be up in the morning,"

"Hmm," he murmured.

"What?"

"We're opposites," he mused, "I have what you want and you have what I want,"

"And what do we do about it?" She demanded playfully.

The grin on his face snuck up a few inches. "We should hang out sometime,"

"O, yeah?"

"Definitely,"

"C'mon," she pushed him slightly, "we both know you say these things and never follow through,"

He caught her hand and gripped it, "Seriously," he insisted.

Her mind raced, maintaining that she not allow hope to overpower reason. This was dangerous territory. This was what led to the inevitable frustration and longing…

"Well, then, seriously, if I were to text you or something one afternoon and I said, 'Let's hang out,' you'd say, 'C'mon over!'?"

He pulled her off the railing, towards him. "Yes,"

Her mouth gaped as she struggled to think of something to say to this unexpected act of proximity. He'd always been fairly physical—hugging her hello and goodbye each time they saw each other, draping arms around her now and then—but this was different.

This felt so…serious.

"I haven't seen you in a while; I miss you ragging on me," he continued, looking amused at her shock.

He pulled her closer.

"Haven't you missed me?"

She wondered if he'd really just asked that. If he only knew…

"Well, I…" she murmured,

He was looking at her so intently, and somehow the space between them had gotten smaller again.

A small corner of her mind wondered if anyone else was watching. She briefly hoped not, but pushed it aside.

It was important to enjoy this rare, incredible moment.

She had no idea what he was thinking.

But, oh! He was so handsome!

The light of the street lamp on the corner filtered through the tree leaves and the shadows fell in patterns across the back of the porch. It was just enough light to see the gleam in his eye, the tiny quirk on the upward corner of his mouth.

"I want to see more of you," he murmured, the happiness still in his voice.

Her heart fluttered in her chest, "I'd like that,"

His smile grew; she felt heat in her cheeks and hoped the darkness would help to subdue the redness of her face.

"I'm so glad," he murmured.

She wasn't sure what her reply would have been, but it didn't matter.

In the long, full seconds that passed, the atmosphere had reached a pitch. She stepped closer to him, close enough to close the last inches of the gap. Their bodies barely brushed each other, but she felt electricity shooting throughout her limbs.

He smiled again, and leaned his head down ever so slightly.

Her heart jumped frantically as realization dawned on her, so sweet.

She tilted her face up to his.

Their lips met.

His hand slid up her back, into her hair, and her blood pounded through her veins in ecstasy.

She savored the feel of him, his taste, reveling in the moment. Her body was singing, her thoughts a thrilled blur.

Yet one suddenly popped up.

What was she going to do if his girlfriend found out about this?