And Then He Kissed Me by Teresa Southwick

was too strong a word for the activity he saw.
    But he said confidently, “I think it’s going fine.”
    Abby met his gaze and her forehead wrinkled with worry. “You’re right,” she wailed. “It’s a disaster. Girls in the kitchen, guys in the living room. A sweetsixteen extravaganza she’ll never forget,” she said.
    â€œIt’s not that bad. At least we can see them all.” He quickly counted heads. “Except the pushy little twerp who’s on the phone in your bedroom.”
    â€œYeah. James. If he’s on the phone to Japan, his mother and I are going to have a dialogue.”
    â€œHe’s not the one Sarah has a crush on, I hope?”
    She shook her head. “See the cute guy on the end of the couch closest to the TV? The one with the adorable dimple in his chin?”
    â€œI have no frame of reference for ‘cute’ and ‘adorable,’ but I believe I know who you mean.”
    â€œThat’s Austin Reese. He’s the one she’d like to be
her main squeeze, or whatever terminology they’re using now for a significant other.”
    â€œI believe the term is ‘going out.’ What do you know about him?”
    â€œHe’s an honors student and captain of the football team.”
    â€œIs that all? Maybe I should have Steve run a background check.” Steve Schafer was his best friend and his younger sister’s husband. Nick knew he would be happy to help. It was his business, and he made a good living doing executive background checks for major corporations. A teenage honors student should be a piece of cake.
    â€œI don’t think that will be necessary.” She frowned. “I’m more concerned about getting through tonight without breaking her heart. She’s been looking forward to this party for so long. She’ll be devastated if it’s a flop.”
    Abby put her hand on his arm, an uncharacteristically familiar gesture. Probably a testament to how anxious she was. Abby never forgot herself. Even when she’d been in his arms dancing, he’d felt her struggle to maintain distance. Something between them simmered below the surface and she kept throwing ice cubes on it. Although his head warned him away, her reluctance tweaked his desire to explore the feeling. But not now. This was Sarah’s night, and it was dying a slow death.
    â€œIt’s time to bring out the big guns, Ab.”
    â€œNo kissing, Nick.”
    â€œWho said anything about spin the bottle?” He opened the screen door and stepped into the living room. The teenagers hardly noticed. Godawful music blared from Sarah’s new CD player.

    Nick crossed the space to the corner of the dining room where he’d left his ultimate weapon. He pulled the cardboard-boxed game from the bag.
    â€œWhat’s that?” Sarah asked.
    â€œTwister,” he answered. He walked over to the couch and tapped Austin on the shoulder. “Help me move this sofa out of the way.” He pointed to the two teenage boys on the other couch. “You guys push that back, and the rest of you shove the coffee table in the corner.”
    A low-pitched grumbling started, but the kids followed his directions until the center of the room was empty. The game was nothing more than a plastic sheet containing four rows of different-colored circles and a spinner with corresponding colors that directed the participants where to put their hands and feet. The object of the game was to see how far and in what positions the players could contort their bodies before collapsing. Last one standing was the winner.
    â€œWho’s first?” Nick looked around the room and noted a general reluctance. This was unacceptable. He hadn’t sat through hours of motivational business seminars for nothing, he thought grimly.
    â€œIf I don’t get volunteers, I’ll appoint someone.” Still no takers. “Okay. Sarah. Austin.