"Sleepless in Seattle?" I asked, the surprise evident in my voice.

"Hey, this is a cute movie!" Jodie said in mock indignation. "Besides, I had no idea what you like!"

"Nah, this is good. I think I saw it once. Tom Hanks, right?" I could be wrong, I never saw too many rom-coms, but I was pretty sure this one looked familiar. These weren't what my grandpa had liked, and I usually watched whatever he did.

She gave me a small smile and then started the movie while dishing up some of the stew that she'd promised. It really did smell good, so I couldn't wait to have some. I'd have to start doing more of a workout going forward though, because I was eating much too well around Jodie, and I needed to keep myself in shape for soccer!

"So, what kind of movies do you like?" she asked while we ate. "Do you have any favorites?

I chuckled for a bit, knowing my movie choices wouldn't be what she expected. "I used to watch a lot of movies with my grandpa Joe when I was growing up. He liked westerns, I think that was a requirement since we were in Texas, and also loved Gene Kelly and Bing Crosby. We'd watch White Christmas every Christmas Eve, and then Singing in the Rain at least once a month. But my favorite was a silly Gene Kelly movie called The Pirate. For a while I thought all pirates sang songs, and I didn't understand why they were such a problem back in the day."

"I don't think I know that one," she commented while tilting her head back. "Maybe that will be the next movie we watch."

That was another invitation for sure, but I couldn't fault her because I was enjoying her company. "That sounds like a plan. I even have it on DVD too."

The movie was cute, though I have to admit I didn't really like Meg Ryan's character. Her fiancé was much too understanding about her pretty much cheating on him, at least emotionally. But hey, I know cheating happens, and usually a lot worse than that! I never understood why though. Why wouldn't you just break up with the person you're with instead of going behind their back? Is that kind of like looking for a job when you already have one? You're going on 'interviews' in people's beds while you already have someone in yours at home?

Fuck, I dunno.

"Frankie, this might be a personal question, but how old are you?" Jodie wondered while sipping on a glass of champagne. She'd opened it early, since I told her I wouldn't be drinking, and she didn't want to waste the whole bottle for one drink at midnight. We turned the TV on to one of the random New Year's Eve celebrations, but we weren't paying attention yet since we still had about half an hour until we hit midnight.

"I'm 19. I turn 20 in June," I replied. I was only 17 when I graduated High School, which always seemed to confuse some people.

"Damn, you're still young," she sighed wistfully. "I'm 32. Are you okay dating an older woman?"

I shrugged, never having thought about it. "Jodie, you're a beautiful woman, and age isn't going to dictate your kindness or whether I want to date you. Like I said, when I get used to my classes and my schedule, I'd very much like to take you out. Your being older doesn't change that."

"Damn!" she said, fanning herself a little bit. "Too bad we're taking things slowly, that's the kind of thing that would get you laid here!"

Shit, was I glad I'd taken care of things earlier, because that statement would have been hard to contain things with. Even still, I did feel a bit of a twitch, and had to quickly change the subject. "I picked up some sparklers too, if you wanted to light those before the ball drops.

She grinned, knowing that I was trying to get away from that statement, and then pulled out a lighter. "Sure, let's light those up."

We spent the next thirty minutes lighting the sparklers and running around the yard like kids. It was fun, and a bit sweet. Yes, I was having a great time with Jodie, and yes, I knew there was a kiss coming up, and I was ready for it. hell, I was even looking forward to it. The only kiss I'd had was last summer with Mckenna, and that was just because she was teasing about not knowing how to if I ever dated a girl. Yeah, so she gave me a few lessons.

And yes, I know I'm an idiot, but there was always a small part of me that wished she liked me in that way, but she didn't. I knew she was into girls, and I knew she didn't care that I was intersex, but I wasn't what she wanted. She had a dick allergy.

But someday I'd find the right one for me.

Could Jodie be that one? I don't know, but it was a promising start.

We watched the countdown, and when we hit about twenty seconds, we moved towards each other, hanging on to one another's arms. My stomach was in knots when everyone on the television started chanting the numbers, and I turned to Jodie, taking her cheeks in my hands. I slowly leaned in, and pressed my lips to hers as the clock struck midnight.

It was a very nice kiss. Her lips were soft, and her body was pressed against mine. I could taste the champagne on her lips, but she never tried to deepen it, for which I was grateful. I pulled away after maybe ten seconds, and she had a sweet smile on her face.

"Thank you, Frankie. That was a much nicer New Year's than I was expecting a week ago."

"And thank you Jodie. I had expected to be alone here. To have a hard time settling in. You and your hospitality have been a big help in making this an easy transition," I replied honestly. Had she just been a normal landlady, I would probably have been hanging around my apartment alone all week, eating whatever I could scrounge around and getting bored. But instead, my life was looking pretty good these days. I was truly looking forward to the upcoming months, and the hopes that this little relationship could blossom.

I walked back to my little apartment with a big smile on my face. It was a new feeling, being wanted, and kissing Jodie was a great experience. Could I do more of that in the near future? I had a feeling that I might not wait long at all to ask her. Class started in a week, and unless things changed for the worse, I'd be asking her out the following weekend. I resolved to go look up some nice places to take her for dinner, since I certainly wasn't going to make her cook for our date!

When I got upstairs, I flopped onto my bed and sighed, looking up at the ceiling. I pulled out my phone and quickly found Mckenna's number. It ran twice before she picked up.

"Frankie, damnit! You're calling too early! You didn't get in her pants? Or are you fucking her right now, and butt dialed me? Put it on speaker!" Mckenna said with a laugh.

"I kissed her Mckenna."

"Holy shit! Really? Where?" She perked up immediately, because while she was joking before, she knew that was a big step for me.

"We were standing in her living room, and watching the ball drop..."

"No! I mean, where on her body?" she interrupted. "I'm guessing it wasn't below her belt!"

"Oh! On her lips. They're very soft," I whispered, once more ignoring the extra comment.

"Frankie, I'm happy for you. I really am. I was hoping you'd find someone once you got the hell out of here! So, what next?"

"Well, school starts in a week. I want to see how school and practices go, but I want to ask her out. I want to see if the first week goes well if I can take her to dinner, maybe see if the kissing can happen again," I explained.

"And sex!" Mckenna reminded me.

"If we have some dates, and things are headed in that direction then I'll tell her about me. If she's okay with that, then yeah, maybe we'll get to the sex," I agreed. "But honestly, right now I'm just feeling happy that she's so nice. I needed someone like that more than I needed sex."

"I know you did, Frankie. I'm just teasing you. She sounds great, and I hope things work out." Mckenna stated. "Now I need to find someone like that!"

"You'll get there. Maybe you need to come here too, then we'll find you a girl," I suggested.

"Or a woman like yours! I can't believe you found someone that isn't in college!" Mckenna groaned. "She going to have you call her mommy?"

"Stop that! Eww! No mommy jokes!"

"Fine. Maybe she'll see what's between your legs and call you daddy," she snickered.

"You're not going to stop this, are you?"

"Nope. It is my job to tease you as only a best friend can."

I let out a deep sigh but had a smile on my face. "Happy new year Mckenna. I love you."

"I love you too! Happy new year!"