The Cat's Meow

(1984)

So there she was, sitting in the passenger seat of Tom’s crappy car. She could feel his eyes on her as she stared out the side window at the lights of passing cars and buildings.

He hadn’t said a word since they started on their way to Corpus Drive-in and she began to wonder if he was nervous.

“Are you cold?” he asked, his hand already reaching for the knob on the dash.

“No, I’m fine,” she didn’t take her eyes away from the window and what was beyond it.

Tom, frustrated, shook his head and stopped at a red light. He turned to her, his face pale. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m a little nervous, is all.”

Kayla looked at him for the first time since pulling out of the driveway. She looked to his hands, tapping rhythmically against the leather wheel.

“Don’t be sorry. I’m a little nervous, too.” she said with a smile.

He smiled back, a clear sign of a smoothed and clear conscious, and the light turned green.

***

Pulling into the lot of Corpus Drive-in, Kayla unbuckled her safety belt and pulled down her leather mini skirt.

She wasn’t planning on wearing something so flashy on the first date, but Ren had insisted. She claimed that Kayla had the legs of a goddess and shouldn’t be hidden beneath unflattering jeans. Right now, jeans didn’t sound like such a bad idea.

How was she going to sit in this damn seat for two hours? There are only two ways (that she knows of) to sit in a skirt and neither are comfortable.

She crossed her ankles and leaned back in her seat, cursing Ren and her dumb ideas.

“Shit,” Tom breathed, throwing back his head. “I should’ve asked if you wanted anything to eat when we passed the concessions.”

Kayla looked up at the large screen in front of them and realized the movie had started. “Don’t worry about it, Tom. I’m not hungry.”

“Are you sure?” he said.

“I’m positive.” She flashed another gorgeous smile his way and settled in her seat.

“What movie did you say this was?” she added.

“Return of the Killer Tomatoes,”

Kayla laughed. “Oh God, are you for real?”

He nodded.

Kayla realized now that there was nothing separating them from each other. The car was an automatic, but didn’t have a center console.

She looked up, saw Tom looking down at her, and made a move to slide closer to him.

When their shoulders met, Kayla pulled a strand of blonde hair behind her right ear. “So,” she began, bringing her left leg over the other. “Do you like horror movies?” She nodded toward the screen.

“I like most horror movies,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t know if I’ll like this one though.”

Kayla flexed her foot and her bordello moved slowly against Tom’s pant leg.

Subtle touches are good for now, she thought. With Tom being nervous, she didn’t quite know how far she could go without making him uncomfortable.

Friendly touches are okay for now.

She thought it was cute, actually, how a movie date made him so nervous. It was cute until she thought about why it’d make him nervous. Maybe he hadn’t been out with a girl. She laughed internally. No way, she thought. He was too good looking to not have any girl he wanted on their knees before him, begging for--

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Huh?” Kayla jerked out of her reverie and turned to him, his brow furrowed and head cocked to the side in an interesting expression.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” she swatted the air like it wasn’t a big deal. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, you can ask me anything.”

“Why are you so nervous?” She looked at him now. She really looked at him. His dark overgrown bangs casted a shadow over his icy blue eyes. His face, now that she looked at it, was gorgeous. His facial structure was very defined, so sharp and unique. His cheeks had a natural rose tint that made it appear almost as if he was wearing a hint of blush. He was wearing chapstick, that’s for sure. There was a subtle shimmer along his pouty pink lips. His lips were enticing; she was drawn to them.

His deep, raspy voice grabbed Kayla’s attention. “I haven’t been on a first date in two years.” was all he said.

Kayla’s face fell and she let out an “Aww,” She moved closer, cuddling into his arm. “I’m sorry. You must have really loved her if you haven’t been on a date since the breakup. When was it? If you don’t mind me asking, of course.”

He looked away, shyly. “Three months,”

She flexed her foot again and brought Tom’s arm over her shoulder. “Well you’re not doing as bad of a job as you think.”

He smelled like musky cologne and lavender fabric softener. A relaxing smell, she thought.

Relax. The word echoed in her mind.

Tom’s hand gently squeezed her shoulder before moving up to her neck. His fingers brushed against her cool skin for what felt like eternity. She thought of his warm touch as he fingered the curls in her hair. She shivered, wanting to feel his hands elsewhere but knowing she shouldn’t.

This was better, she thought. She felt that he was much more comfortable than he had been at the start of the date.

***

“Thanks for everything,”

Tom shrugged, propping his arm over the back of her seat. “Yeah, it was no problem,”

“I had fun.” Kayla reached for the door handle, but Tom put his hand on her arm.

“Wait,”

She stopped and turned.

He shifted, setting both hands on his lap. “Would you like to do this again?”

She smiled and lifted Tom’s chin to face her. “Of course,”

He smiled back, but the moment of relief was interrupted. The front door of the house opened and Ren stuck out her head. “What the hell are you doing out there?”

Kayla grunted, shaking her head. “I guess that’s my cue.” she said, pulling open the door.

Tom, again, grabbed her arm and pulled her back. This time, their lips had touched and Kayla couldn’t pull her attention away from Tom as he ran his fingers through her hair and around the back of her neck, keeping her close.

She ran her tongue over his lips and brought her hand to his chest, feeling the warmth beneath his shirt and the heavy beat of his heart.

He pulled away and smiled with a sense of accomplishment, as if he was waiting for the kiss all night.

“You have to go now, don’t you?” he said.

“I’m sorry. Call me, okay?” She pushed open the door and stepped out onto the wet grass.