The Kiss List

by Sara Jo Cluff

  I lifted my shoulder in a shrug. “We’re seeing three movies. Oh, peanut M&Ms, too.”

  He rang me up, and I gave him the cash. As he was getting the change, I held out my hand.

  “I’m going to need your phone as well,” I said.

  He paused, his hand hovering over the change in the register drawer. “Why?”

  I leaned in like I was going to tell him a secret. “So I can give you my number. I want to hear all about Hawaii when you get back. If I can’t go, I want to live vicariously through you.”

  His tone somehow dropped a notch. “Don’t you have a boyfriend?”

  How had he not heard? Maybe that would be a good thing for me. “We broke up.” I reached my arm out, and he set the change in my hand. “And your phone.”

  He glanced around, probably looking for a manager, before he fumbled to get the phone out of his pocket and handed it to me. I entered my name and number, then took a selfie. I smiled at him. “Just in case you forget what I look like.”

  When I handed it back, he stared at the picture on his phone. “Pretty sure that’s not possible.” He stuffed the phone in his pocket. “Enjoy your movies.”

  I gathered everything in my arms. “Don’t forget to call me, Mason. I’m serious.”

  He scratched the back of his neck, a small smile landing on his thin lips. There wasn’t much to work with, but I’d make do.

  “Yeah, sure,” he said.

  With a wink, I sauntered away and found Hayley and Kaitlyn waiting for me off to the side. They already had all their food and drinks. Kaitlyn had gotten a hotdog, but I didn’t trust those from a movie theater.

  Hayley just rubbed the side of her neck—making the stars behind her ear move—rolled her eyes, and then handed the attendant her ticket for the first movie. Kaitlyn bumped her arm with mine. “Everything is just coming up Camille, isn’t it? You’ve now made contact with three of the four guys.”

  I pressed my glossed lips together. “It’s like it was meant to be.”

  Chapter 13

  After the first movie, we went back into the foyer to refill our drinks and my friends’ popcorn. The bad thing with getting caramel corn was that there weren’t free refills. I hoped Mason would be at the counter, but he must have been on break. Some old lady was in his spot. She wasn’t nearly as fun to flirt with.

  I’d just thanked her and turned around when I bumped into someone.

  “Hey, Cam-Lam,” Liam said. He wore a Florida Georgia Line T-shirt that looked fairly new. The front was tucked into his jeans. “What are you doing here?”

  “Um, seeing a movie?” Wasn’t that obvious?

  He chuckled. “I guess that makes sense.” He pointed to my bag of caramel popcorn. “I’m getting the same thing. I just wish they’d give refills for it, you know?”

  Yeah, I did. “They shouldn’t punish people for having good taste.”

  “Right?” He grinned at the lady behind the counter. “You’ll give me a free refill if I get some caramel corn, right?” Her narrowed eyes were enough of a response. Liam sighed. “Fine. Can I please get a bag of caramel corn and a large Dr Pepper?”

  “We only have Coke products,” the lady said in a flat tone. I’d said the same thing at the same time, using a very formal voice in anticipation of her answer.

  Liam snickered and pushed me away from him, the light touch making me blush, surprising me. “Fine. A Cherry Coke.”

  I just stared at him. What was happening? Since when did Liam and me like the same exact things?

  “You can stop checking me out now,” Liam said, his smug smile turning toward me.

  He was insufferable. We may have had the same tastes in food, but it didn’t make up for the fact that he drove me crazy. I had no idea why I was even still standing there. I had another movie to get to.

  I whipped around to find Brady. He had his hands in his pockets and wore a sheepish smile. “Hey, Camille.”

  “Hey, Brady.”

  Liam’s voice sounded over my shoulder. “Please tell me we’re not seeing the same movie. I don’t think I could handle the two of you making out the whole time.”

  I elbowed him in the stomach, and he grunted.

  I knew it would be awkward the first time Brady and I talked after our kiss, but this was beyond anything I could have prepared for.

  “Brady! Liam!” Kaitlyn bounded up, all smiles. “What movie are you guys seeing?”

  When they mentioned they were going to the same movie we were, I stood on my tiptoes and gave Kaitlyn the cut-throat, but she didn’t notice and invited the guys to sit with us.

  “This is going to be so awkward,” Liam whispered. I elbowed him again before we went inside.

  My friends were usually good at picking up on hints, but for whatever reason, they were both completely clueless that day. They were chatting with Brady as we entered the theater. Hayley went down the aisle, followed by Kaitlyn, and then Brady. I stared at the aisle, not wanting to go next. Maybe I could go around and sit next to Hayley.

  Liam batted his eyelashes. “Sorry, love, but Brady is all mine.” He scooted past me and sauntered down the aisle, his hips swaying, making me laugh.

  All the tension fluttered away, and I’d never been so grateful for Liam’s silly ways. I plopped down next to him, took off my shoes, and tucked my legs underneath me. I wasn’t thinking that moving my legs to the left would make me lean right, getting awfully close to Liam. But it would be too noticeable to switch.

  Liam opened his bag of popcorn. “I’m so glad you got your own. You practically ate all of mine in class.”

  I threw a piece of popcorn at his face. “I did not.” I totally had.

  He picked the piece from his shirt and tossed it into his mouth. “Thanks, but that’s not nearly enough payback. You’ll just have to get me a bag for the next movie.”

  My eyebrows furrowed together. “You’re seeing another movie?”

  “Yeah, that new horror movie. I’ve been dying to see it.” He laughed at his pun.

  I pelted him with more popcorn. He caught a couple in his mouth. I ate some before I ended up throwing a bunch at him. The lights dimmed.

  “We’re seeing it, too,” I whispered. “I had to practically beg Kaitlyn to go.” I grimaced. “I agreed to go to that sappy chick flick with her tomorrow to make up for it.”

  “I’m so glad I’m not you,” he said. “I’m not that nice. Brady would be seeing the chick flick on his own. Which he’s actually done a lot. They’re his favorite.”

  I choked on the sip of Cherry Coke I’d just taken. “Yeah, but then you could make out during the whole movie with your love.”

  A wicked grin spread across his lips. “True. Maybe we’ll join you guys tomorrow. Brady and I could snuggle.” He turned to me, our faces inches from each other. “Is he a good kisser?”

  I was grateful for the darkness so he couldn’t see my blush. “I don’t believe in spreading rumors about people’s kissing abilities.”

  “So you wouldn’t want me to tell everyone you were a good kisser?”

  “Well, yeah, because you don’t know if I am or not.”

  Liam stared at me for a moment like he was trying to read my face. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  He shook his head, turning back to the screen. It was another preview, so I didn’t mind talking during it. Normally, I was a stickler for being quiet in movies.

  “What?” I asked.

  When he ignored me, I faced the screen, holding my popcorn close. What was he talking about? And why was he suddenly so moody?

  The movie had just started when Liam’s lips brushed against my ear. “Fourth grade. Timmy Clark’s birthday party.”

  Heat rushed to my ears. My first kiss. I’d forgotten about it. Forgotten it was Liam. We played a truth or dare game, and Hayley dared Liam to kiss me.

  It was my turn to lean into him, my mouth close to his ear. I made sure to keep my skin to myself, though.
“That doesn’t count. It was a peck on the lips and so long ago.”

  “Shhh!”

  Popcorn came flying at me from the direction of Kaitlyn and Hayley. The buttery mess landed in my hair and on my shirt. I picked them all off and threw them on the floor.

  “Pretty sure a peck counts as a kiss,” Liam whispered. “And our lips lingered for a moment. Obviously, it meant nothing to you, but I actually enjoyed it. You had soft lips.”

  Instinctively, my hands went to my mouth. How did he remember that? And if it was true, why hadn’t he stood up for me when Dylan told everyone I sucked at kissing? I couldn’t concentrate for the rest of the movie. I shifted in my seat, creating a distance between us. How had I forgotten that Liam had once kissed me? Kissing was one of my favorite hobbies. I remembered all the kisses after that one, but for some reason, my brain had blocked it. I didn’t remember hating it or thinking it was gross.

  In fact, looking back, I think it was the moment I decided that kissing was fun.

  All because of Liam Elliott.

  Chapter 14

  There was something liberating about getting all dressed up for a night out, and doing it only for myself. I had no boy to impress. I could wear whatever I wanted, including my green maxi dress that fell to my feet. It hugged my curves, highlighting my wide hips and thick thighs. It was so comfortable, and the material was soft against my skin. Dylan hated it.

  Kaitlyn opened the passenger side door of my car and grinned wickedly at me. “First, I love that dress.” She plopped down in the seat and used both hands to shut the rusty door. Her long legs were pulled close, not having much room. “Second, I’ve missed this piece-of-crap car.”

  Hayley leaned forward from the backseat. “And Camille driving.” She patted Kaitlyn’s shoulder. “She’s such a better driver than you are.”

  Kaitlyn stuck her tongue out over her shoulder. “I’m not that bad.”

  Smiling, I pulled away from the curb. “I’m used to having my brother in the car. Makes me pay closer attention.” I patted the dashboard. “Also helps that the car shakes violently if I go over forty.”

  Hayley drummed her hands along the center console, playing the beat of the song on the radio. It wasn’t a band I recognized, but one she loved.

  I flashed a glance at her through the rear-view mirror. “So, I was thinking of adding a blue streak to my hair.”

  Hayley’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Finally.”

  I’d been talking about doing it for months, but Dylan always talked me down. He said I’d look stupid and couldn’t pull it off. I just wanted a pop of color in my blonde hair.

  Kaitlyn raised her hand, wiggling her fingers. “Can I do it? Pretty please?” She did Hayley’s hair all the time, and it always turned out great.

  “I was going to ask if you would,” I said.

  She danced in her seat, throwing up her arms as high as she could without hitting the roof. “We’re doing it tomorrow.”

  I shimmied my shoulders, dancing along. Hayley upped the sound of her drums and banged her head. I missed our random dance parties and sing-offs in the car. Dylan always made us stop.

  Why did I keep thinking about him? Everything reminded me of him. But I was starting to realize that he’d taken control of my life, probably without meaning to. I let him make my decisions for me. I’d been so concerned about what he thought of me and wanted him to like me so badly, I’d changed myself.

  Ugh. I hated myself for it.

  We sang and danced until we arrived at The Shack. I had to find street parking a few blocks away. It was a nice night, so I didn’t mind the walk.

  We took a quick glance at the alley we had to walk down. There was a slightly creepy vibe to it, like we were heading into a death trap.

  “Maybe we should leave our purses in the car,” Kaitlyn said.

  “Good call,” Hayley said.

  We all got the cash we needed and tucked it into our phone cases. Then I locked the purses in the trunk so no one would see them before we set off. I was in the middle, with Hayley and Kaitlyn flanking my sides, both linked on my arms.

  When I’d been stalking my kiss list guys, I’d noticed Isaac would be DJing at The Shack before the bands started. It was an added perk to the night. I just needed to get in a spot where I could catch his eye. And hope he wasn’t mad at me for pulling the plug at his last job. I’d been trying to comment on his stuff, being slightly flirty in my responses. And by slightly, I mean aggressively.

  Kaitlyn picked up the speed when we got closer, yanking us along. We struggled to keep up with her long stride.

  “I don’t even care if this band sucks,” Kaitlyn said. “I’m just excited to get out!”

  Hayley raised her nose in a snarl. “It’s not like we’re seeing Harry Styles. They aren’t going to suck.”

  Kaitlyn flipped her curly hair over her shoulder. “I’m just going to pretend like you didn’t say that.”

  “Still won’t change the fact that I did,” Hayley grumbled.

  The Shack was an old, run-down building. The back of it didn’t even have a wall anymore, leaving it open and breezy. They had string lights up, giving it a soft, cozy vibe instead of a you’re-about-to-die feel.

  They had plenty of security, too, most of which had looks that could kill.

  We paid the entry charge and squeezed ourselves into the crowd. The three of us held hands as Hayley weaved us toward the front of the stage. I was already sweating by the time we found a decent spot, and I so didn’t care.

  DJ Ice had already started. We waved up at him, which he returned with a nod. His smoldering eyes caught mine, and the smallest smirk landed on his lips. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but I was curious to find out.

  “He totally checked you out,” Kaitlyn whispered in my ear.

  I bit my lip and stared up at him. “Did he?”

  Hayley bumped my hip. “You know he did.”

  I lifted my arms in the air and moved my hips side to side with the music. And Dylan said this dress would never make a guy look twice at me. Groaning, I shook him from my head. No Dylan tonight. Or ever again.

  We danced until Isaac’s set ended, and the roadies started setting up for the band.

  “I need a drink,” I said, fanning myself with my hand. “You girls wanna come with?”

  Hayley shook her head. “No way I’m losing our prime spot. And I need Kaitlyn in case someone tries to wriggle their way into our space. But get us some waters, too.”

  Kaitlyn patted my shoulder. “Sorry, sweetie. You’re on your own. Do you think you can handle that?”

  With a roll of my eyes, I pushed her hand away from me and forced myself through the crowd, moving away from their laughter. It was a pretty girly thing to expect them to come with me. I hadn’t done anything on my own in forever.

  I got in the long line for the concession stand, still bouncing along to a beat in my head.

  “What are you listening to?” Isaac’s smooth voice came from behind me.

  I turned to find him checking me out, doing a toe-to-head glance. “The last remix you did. Loved it.”

  A smile pulled at his lips. “It’s a favorite of mine. Glad you liked it.”

  Sweat trickled down the side of my face. Normally, I’d be embarrassed. It always grossed Dylan out. Another reason I stopped playing softball. No way I could play and not sweat.

  But I just used the back of my hand to wipe it away, and Isaac didn’t even flinch or blanch.

  “How come I haven’t seen you here before?” he asked.

  We moved forward in the line. I almost mentioned Dylan, but I stopped myself in time. The Shack wasn’t his scene. I hadn’t thought it was mine, either, but I hadn’t had so much fun in the longest time. I really enjoyed all the music Isaac had played.

  I stepped in close. “I didn’t know you were looking for me.”

  His hand brushed along my arm. “I didn’t know I was, either.” He put his hands on my waist and pushed me forward in line. I eye
d his full lips, wondering what it would be like to kiss him. “Want to take off?”

  That had been my biggest worry about my kiss list. I didn’t want to start flirting with guys, and then have them expect I would do more than kissing. Maybe that wasn’t what Isaac was suggesting, but by the way he was pressing his hips into mine, I had a feeling he’d want more.

  But I could cross him off the list. It would be so easy. My gaze flitted past him, catching my friends near the stage. They were both staring at me, a mix of hope and sadness in their eyes. They were probably happy for me but didn’t want me to ditch them. It had been so long since they had me all alone on a weekend night.

  I turned my gaze back to Isaac and pushed up on my tiptoes, our lips close. “I’m hanging with friends tonight, but maybe another time.” I turned to the front of the line and ordered three bottled waters.

  When I turned back around, Isaac had left.

  I hurried back to my friends and handed them their waters. “Should I cancel the kiss list?”

  They shared a surprised look before Kaitlyn spoke. “Why?”

  Shrugging, I twirled the water bottle in my hands. “Maybe I was too rash.”

  Hayley narrowed her eyes. “What did Isaac do?” She cracked her knuckles. “Do I need to beat him up?”

  “No,” I said. “His body language was saying he wanted something way more than kissing.”

  Kaitlyn waved her hand. “He’s a guy. Of course he does. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to get it. He needs to learn.”

  True. But did I want to put myself in a situation where I’d have to stop him? What was the point of that?

  “Besides,” Kaitlyn went on, “you’ve only crossed one of the guys off the list. You’re so close to getting Alejandro. Don’t give up yet.”

  I pointed my water bottle at her. “Weren’t you saying the kiss list was a bad idea to begin with?”

  “Well, yeah.” Kaitlyn tucked her hair behind her ear. “But after watching you kiss Brady, I got excited for you. I wanted you to seize your moments. Take control of your life.”