Chapter 2: First Kiss
Nick and Mattie had been going out for a month. So far, Nick had not kissed her, except for the cheek or hand. She was not the kind to initiate something so bold for the first time.
Since their first date, they texted every day or talked on the phone. Nick always had a lot of work to do for his class. If Mattie wasn't volunteering at the shelter or attending a therapy session, she would go help Nick prepare his lessons for the next day. They enjoyed being together, and when Mattie started Licensed Vocational Nursing school in January, they wouldn't have as much time during the week together.
It was Friday, the favorite day of the week for teachers. Mattie was going to meet Nick at a restaurant near his school.
Nick had invited her, saying "Some of the teachers were going to the Karaoke restaurant for dinner."
Mattie stated, "That is so 90s, and I don't sing well."
Nick countered with, "Who does? But it's fun, you'll see."
Mattie gave him a doubtful look and replied, "We'll see."
But she wanted to be with Nick. If he decided to do snake-handling, she would do it just to spend time with him. He had a crooked smile that melted her heart every time he flashed it. And when he laughed, which was often. his deep blue eyes would twinkle and shine. He also had a crazy cowlick that stuck up in his wavy brown hair that never wanted to relax. She always fondly attempted to try and rearrange it and mix it into his hair. In response, he would take her hand and intertwine their fingers together and kiss her hand.
Mattie entered the restaurant and looked around to find Nick. She spied him at a table with about eight other people. As Mattie got halfway to the table, Nick saw her and hastily got up and greeted her.
"Hi Mattie, my Irish Rose." That was his endearing nickname for her since she was born on St. Patrick's day and Rose was her second middle name.
"Hi, Nicky." They hugged each other.
He introduced her to the other people at the table. Some were teachers with their spouses or dates, and others were there by themselves. They greeted her and a woman named Janet gave her the booklet with all the songs for Karaoke.
"Just pick out a song. Have you ever done this before?" Janet questioned.
"No, never." Mattie made a funny face.
"You can go up by yourself or sing with someone. We have a rule. If you come then you have to sing."
Mattie looked over horrified at Nick. "You didn't tell me that!"
"No worries, we'll sing together."
One couple went up onstage and sang Achy Breaky Heart.
After quite a few people had gone up, Nick took Mattie's hand and said, "I found a good song. Just play along with me. You have to do it in an English accent."
"What?" Mattie gave Nick a questioning look.
The music started playing and the lyrics were projected onto the screen. Mattie instantly recognized that Nick had selected the Beatles song "When I'm Sixty-Four."
They started singing:
"When I get older losing my hair" - Nick pulled on his hair
"Many years from now" - Nick counted on his fingers.
"Will, you still be sending me a Valentine" - Mattie awkwardly made a heart with her hands.
"Birthday greetings bottle of wine" - Nick pretended to take a swig out of a bottle.
"If I'd been out till quarter to three" - Mattie started to feel more comfortable as she sang and pointed to her watch.
"Would you lock the door" - Nick acted out pounding on a door
"Will you still need me, will you still feed me" - They both acted out feeding each other.
"When I'm sixty-four."
As they continued to sing the song together, Mattie was laughing part of the time as she tried to sing over Nick's antics. She was surprised that she was enjoying herself!
When they got to the last verse of the song Nick hugged her from behind and they swayed together. At the last words "'Will you still need me, Will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four." Nick spun her around and pulled Mattie into an embrace and kissed her. The kiss was meant to be short and quick, but the two felt the pull of something electrical go through them, and Nick deepened the kiss.
Mattie's hands flew up to Nick's hair as she pulled his head closer to her. She heard him moan her name and as they pulled apart they stared at each other in wonder. They were suddenly aware of the whole karaoke bar hollering and clapping for them. Mattie turned bright red and quickly left the stage as Nick followed her outside on the sidewalk.
"Wh-what just happened? Did you feel that?" sputtered Mattie.
"Yeah, I felt that too! Like an electrical current running through us. I've been wanting to kiss you for a long time!"
Nick pulled Mattie to him and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Me too." Mattie nuzzled his cheek.
Nick held her face in his hands and fervently kissed her again. When they finally broke apart, both were breathing hard.
Mattie caught her breath and spoke, "So if you've wanted to kiss me for a long time, why haven't you?"
"Because I was afraid of your father! He warned me not to break your heart. But good gravy, Mattie, that kiss…that was something!"
They kissed intensely again, and then they went back inside and rejoined their friends at the table. Steve and Mary a married couple from their table got up to sing.
Mary introduced the song. "This song we danced to at our wedding This Kiss by Faith Hill." The music started, and they both pointed to Mattie and Nick.
I don't want another heartbreak
I don't need another turn to cry, no
I don't want to learn the hard way
Baby, hello, oh, no, goodbye
But you got me like a rocket
Shooting straight across the sky
It's the way you love me
It's a feeling like this
It's centrifugal motion
It's perpetual bliss
It's that pivotal moment
It's, ah, impossible
This kiss, this kiss (unstoppable)
This kiss, this kiss
Mattie blushed and dipped her head. Nick whispered in her ear, "That's our song." He took Mattie's hand and held it under the table. She turned around and buried her head in his neck. Nick moved his other hand to the back of her head and leaned in to kiss her again. The force they felt this time was just as strong as before.
Nick whispered in her ear. "You are the most amazing and beautiful woman."
Mattie gave him another soft, short kiss on his lips and thought, 'You are a keeper, Nick Sheridan.'
TBC