The sound of his name on her lips felt like something he'd never heard before. Not in that way. A recognition as well as a claim. He liked hearing her say it. It sounded all the sweeter for the taste of her that followed. He could detect everything in her lipstick, all that she'd eaten that day. Her toothpaste. Beneath all of that, the natural flavor that was uniquely hers. The sensory data danced upon his tongue as he kissed her in return. It was slow at first, light and gentle, as though he was afraid anything too much would break this moment. As though he was giving her every chance to pull away, to think better of right now.

Only she didn't. Kate met him with her own hungry enthusiasm, His hands settled at her waist, head bent down to reach her. It wasn't too far of a lean. She felt like a perfect height for this moment. Everything about it, from the cellphone music in the background to the bugs and donkey braying, it was nothing like he'd imagined. Maybe that was the point. Maybe life was at its best in moments of improvisation. Or at least, he wanted to tell himself that. He wanted to think that this time his impulsivity wouldn't bite them both in the ass.

His nose bumped hers and he huffed out a small breath. A little laugh. In a husky voice he said, "Sorry," before kissing the tip of her nose. "I guess we still have some practicing to do." He could feel his heart hammering alongside hers. He moved one of her hands over his chest, so she could feel what he could hear. He licked his lips and added, "I won't pretend I haven't thought about doing that." All the fears of ruining their friendship, of being in different life stages, it hadn't suddenly evaporated. Yet how could he be the man without fear if he didn't face them head on?