POPCORN & SWEATSOCKS by Ruth D. Kerce (Copyright © 2001, all rights reserved)       "Those are so fake." Nan gave a very unladylike snort, then dug into the bowl setting beside her for some more popcorn. She glanced over at Vic, who was stretched out next to her on her bed. He seemed enthralled by the naked woman on the TV screen.       "They are not fake," he grumbled, an almost boyish-pout forming on his face.       She couldn't help goading him--he looked so cute when he got frustrated. "Are too."       She adjusted the pillow behind her back and stretched her legs. Every Sunday night she and Vic watched a movie together in either his bedroom or hers. They'd been best friends forever, so when they'd decided to attend the same college last year, becoming room mates seemed the natural thing to do. Tonight's flick had been his choice.       "You always think they're fake," he finally complained, interupting her thoughts.       "That's because they always are. It looks like she has two basketballs pasted to her chest. You just don't know what real ones look like."       He tore his gaze from the screen. The crease in his forehead deepened with his frown. "I do too know what real ones look like ... feel like too." He suddenly grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.       She playfully slapped his shoulder. "Next week is my choice."       Vic clutched his chest and grimaced as if in pain. "Not another chick flick, please."       "Hey, I picked an action/adventure last week."       "I know, but I saw that I'll-get-even look in your eyes. I'm doomed, aren't I?" He nudged her ankle with his foot.       "Keep your sweatsocks to yourself. You're just trying to irritate me." He made a funny face, and she couldn't help but laugh.       They'd teased and taunted each other from the time they could talk, and she'd always loved their banter. She refused to think about the future, when eventually they'd go their separate ways. It was just too depressing. Oh, they'd probably see each other from time to time as friends did. Both their parents were still neighbors in the same town she and Vic had grown up together in. Holidays would bring them all together, but it wouldn't be the same.       "You love me. Admit it."       His statement took her by surprise, until she gathered her thoughts and laughed inwardly at the unexpected flutter in her stomach. "I love Dick. I tolerate you."       Vic's face turned stone cold, and he shifted to look back at the movie.       Nan wondered at his reaction. He always acted strange when she mentioned a boyfriend. Usually, she just let it go, but for some reason, she couldn't this time.       "You don't like Dick?"       Vic shrugged. "Not particularly."       "Why not?"       After a drawn out silence, Vic shifted as if uncomfortable, then grunted. "He has greasy lips."       A burst of laughter escaped Nan. "What?"       Vic shifted again, this time turning toward her. "How can you even stand to kiss him?"       She felt a blush creeping up her neck. She never blushed! Not with Vic anyway. "Hey, Dick is a very nice person. He's attentive. He's never stood me up. And ... and ... he likes chick flicks." She crossed her arms under her breasts and glared. Vic could be so unreasonable at times. She never should have mentioned Dick's name.       "That's not what I asked, Nan. Have you slept with him?"       "Vic!" She sat up straighter, and her leg hit the popcorn bowl, almost tipping it onto its side. How could he ask her such a thing? He knew the answer! He had to know. She would have told him about something that important. Well ... maybe. She and Vic talked about everything, but sex was kinda personal.       Vic moved the bowl to the nightstand beside him. "Well?"       Leaning back against her propped-up pillow, she looked over at him. "You know I haven't slept with anyone yet."       "Good. Just making sure."       "I don't think you ever want me to sleep with anyone."       The muscle in Vic's jaw ticked. "That's not true. I just don't think he's the right guy for your first time."       "Because he has greasy lips?"       Vic touched her cheek with his fingertips. "Because I don't think he loves you. And you deserve a man's love."       Nan bolted upright on the bed. She wasn't sure if it was from anger or from the erotic sensations his fingers had caused on her skin. "That's a terrible thing to say! He does too love me." Even though he had never specifically said so, she knew he did. Well ... she was pretty sure anyhow.       With a sigh, Vic picked up the tv remote and clicked it off. "Okay. Then maybe I don't really believe that you love him."       "How would you know how I feel?" She did love Dick. At least, she thought she did. She'd never been in love before, so how would she know? She liked spending time with him as long as it didn't infringe on her time with Vic.       "If you two are so in love, then why are you still watching a movie with me on Sundays."       "Because you're important to me. You're my best friend." Why was this so hard for Vic to understand? She'd never let anyone come between them.       "You're sacrificing time with the man you love to be with your best friend. Generally, it works the other way around. Especially since we live together and see each other all the time. What does Dick think about our arrangement anyhow?"       "I don't know. He's never said anything. Why?"       "There's the proof." He took her hand in his. "If you were my girl, I'd throw a fit if you lived with some other guy. Even as just a supposed friend."       They sat in silence, staring at each other for several heartbeats. Nan glanced down at their clutched hands, and Vic bushed his thumb across her palm. He'd held her hand before, so why all of a sudden was she just now realizing how good it felt? She looked back into his stormy grey eyes, and her heart kicked up its rhythm.       "Nan," he whispered in a strained voice.       Something about the way he said her name caused her pulse to jump and her skin to grow warm. "Yes." She swallowed the lump of emotion building inside her.       "Can I kiss you?"       At his words, Nan's world tilted on its axis. Her emotions jumbled inside her. Feelings long denied pushed to the surface. "I--I don't know."       "I won't if you don't want me to."       Five minutes ago, her life had been so simple. Now nothing made sense. Her feelings for Vic were so different than what she felt for Dick. Funny, she'd never noticed how their names sounded so similar. She loved Dick. She did! But she'd die for Vic. Maybe ...       Was it Dick she loved as a friend, and Vic as something more?       "Nan?"       She leaned forward and bushed her lips against his, barely touching his mouth.       Vic's eyes widened, then his lips curled up in a grin. He brushed a stray tendril of hair from her cheek and tucked the strand behind her ear. His fingers lingered against her skin.       Nan had never felt closer to anyone in her life, and she wanted more. "Kiss me," she whispered, her voice barely audible. To speak louder might break the sensual spell she felt weaving itself around her.       But Vic didn't kiss her. Not the way she wanted him to. To her frustration, Vic took his time, driving her crazy with his leisurely movements. He lightly kissed one corner of her mouth, then the other. When he gently nibbled on her bottom lip, she caught his cheeks in her palms and slid her mouth fully against his.       Finally, Vic laced his fingers through her hair and held her close, his mouth consuming hers in a thoroughly sensual kiss. When he finally pulled back, she stared up at him breathless. "Wow," she whispered.       He nodded slowly. "You can say that again."       "Wow," she repeated, then giggled.       With a chuckle, Vic pulled her to his chest. She rested her cheek against his t-shirt. "So ... now what?" she asked, wondering how this was going to change their relationship.       His fingers caressed her arm. "Tell Dick to take a hike."       She stiffened. She could never be that cruel. Dick had been too nice to her. Vic must have sensed her apprehension, because he sighed loudly.       "Tell him nicely. No need to rip the poor guy's heart out or anything. I guess he treated you okay. But you're mine, Nan. And I'm not sharing you with anyone ... not anymore."       The tone of his voice was so soft it touched her heart. "I'll tell him. I'll make him understand. I hope." She hated to think of hurting him.       "Don't worry, Nan. I think he already has suspicions."       She sat up and looked into his eyes. "What do you mean?" She'd never given Dick any indication that she didn't want to continue their relationship.       "Well ..." Vic sent her a sheepish look. "I kinda warned him not to get too serious with you, back when you two started dating."       "You what?" All sorts of emotions flooded her, and she couldn't sort them out.       "Now, don't get mad. If the guy really loved you, it wouldn't make any difference to him what I said."       Nan wasn't sure what to think. But she didn't want to argue with Vic, not now that they'd discovered these wonderful new feelings between them. "I suppose."       "Hey," he said with a wide smile. "Does this mean you'll wash my sweatsocks for me now?"       Nan laughed. "In your dreams. Now are you going to finish that popcorn?"       With a shake of his head, he pulled her close. "I'd rather taste your lips."       He covered her mouth with his, and the rest of the night passed in a blur of sensual images and feelings, binding her and Vic together ... forever. THE END