Sydney
Where are you? I can’t believe my own brother is late to my party.
Darren
I’m actually in your lobby downstairs.
Sydney
Did you forget the buzzer code?
Darren
No, I remember the code.
Darren
I just…I have someone with me.
Sydney
Well, bring them up! It’s a party 🎉 💃
Darren
Before you say that…
Darren
I should probably tell you that it’s Kyle.
Sydney
Are you kidding me right now?!
Sydney
YOU BROUGHT KYLE TO MY HOUSEWARMING PARTY?
Sydney
I’m sorry, but no. Absolutely not.
Sydney
Turn around and go home.
Darren
Don’t be like that, Sydney. Please.
Darren
His girlfriend broke up with him yesterday.
Darren
I thought this might cheer him up.
Sydney
You thought MY party might cheer him up?
Sydney
Kyle and I can’t stand each other.
Darren
Come on, Syd. You owe me.
Darren
I mean, how’s the new place?
Darren
Have you unpacked all those super-heavy boxes?
Darren
Remember how I hauled them up 3 flights of stairs for you?
Darren
My back is still a little sore.
Sydney
Nice guilt trip, bro 🙄
Sydney
But you’re responsible for him.
Darren
It’s not like he’s a zoo animal.
Darren
Yeah, we’re at your front door.
Sydney
I’m not the one you have to worry about.
Sydney
And the door is open.
Sydney
Just let yourselves in.
Sydney winces as she tucks her phone into her pocket.
She’s really not jazzed about seeing Kyle.
They have absolutely nothing in common.
Even worse, they can’t have a conversation without arguing.
She’s completely on edge just knowing he’s going to be in her apartment.
So she hurries into the bathroom.
There, she brushes her hair and checks her makeup…
Making sure that her armor is intact before she sees her nemesis.
When she goes back into the living room…
She approaches Darren and Kyle with a platter of appetizers.
After she greets her brother…
She pastes a smile on her face and nods at the other man.
Sydney
Hi, Kyle. How are you?
Darren
I already told you how he’s doing, Syd.
Darren
Not after the breakup.
Kyle
Dude! You told her about that?
Darren
Yeah, man. What’s the big deal?
Kyle
I just…I don’t think it’s any of her business.
Sydney
Hey, I’m standing right here!
Darren
If you two are going to start this already…
Darren
Then I’m out of here.
Darren
Yeah, I’m definitely not doing this.
Darren pushes into the crowd of people.
And Sydney swears quietly under her breath.
An awkward silence stretches out between her and Kyle.
He’s standing stiffly in front of her with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
Sure, she doesn’t want him here…
But he doesn’t seem to want to be here, either.
And Sydney has always hated when other people are uncomfortable.
She holds out the tray of appetizers.
Kyle
Depends…did you poison them?
Her spine stiffens as she prepares to yell.
But then she sees the faintest smile ghost the corners of his mouth.
And she likes it more than arguing.
Sydney
Guess you’ll have to try one and see.
She watches as he picks an hors d’oeuvre from the tray.
She braces herself for a caustic remark.
Kyle
This is actually pretty good.
Sydney
He says with surprise.
Kyle
I just meant…well, I’m assuming it’s vegetarian.
Kyle
I don’t usually like things without meat.
Sydney
Actually, you’re wrong.
Sydney
It’s not vegetarian.
Again, she braces herself for his reaction.
She’d be startled by the sound if she didn’t like it so much.
Kyle
You ARE trying to poison me!
Sydney
Careful…before you know it, I’ll have you drinking wine.
Kyle
Whoa. Don’t get too crazy.
Kyle
You’ll never switch me over from beer.
She’s pleased to discover that she’s enjoying their conversation.
Sydney
For real, though. What can I get you to drink?
Kyle
You should sit down.
Sydney
Uh…I can’t get you a drink if I’m doing that…
Kyle
Yeah, but you’re probably tired from moving.
Before she can protest, he’s off to the kitchen.
He returns a moment later with a can of beer and a glass of wine.
She accepts her drink warily.
Sydney
I know for a fact that neither of these were in the fridge 20 minutes ago…
Kyle shrugs, a little embarrassed.
Kyle
Well, a zebra can’t change his stripes.
Kyle
I knew you probably wouldn’t have the kind of beer I liked here…
Sydney opens her mouth in protest.
Kyle
I know that’s not your problem.
Kyle
So I brought my own.
Kyle
Darren helped me pick it out.
Sydney
You brought me wine?
He shrugs but doesn’t respond.
For a long moment they stand next to one another in silence.
Sydney goes to tell him, but finds him frowning at her.
He gestures to her bare arm.
Kyle
When did you get a tattoo?
She looks down lovingly at the fresh ink on her arm.
Sydney
I got it last week.
Kyle
Why would you do that to your skin?
Sydney’s hackles immediately flare.
Sydney
I did it because I wanted to.
Kyle
Things never come out right around you.
Sydney
What do you mean, then?
Kyle
I meant, I don’t see why you would put something permanent on your skin.
Kyle
It’s perfect the way it is.
Sydney
Is that…a compliment?
When she looks up, he’s staring at her with soft eyes.
Kyle
I’m not very good at them.
Sydney
I’m mean…that was nice.
She’s not prepared when he suddenly reaches out.
His hand hovers over the fresh ink.
When his finger traces over the lines of the tattoo…
She’s completely unprepared for the wave of heat that washes over her.
She looks up at Kyle with wide-eyes.
And finds that same spark reflected in his own eyes.
Sydney
So…Darren said your girlfriend broke up with you?
Kyle
Actually, I broke up with her.
Sydney
Is this the one I met at Darren’s birthday party?
Sydney
The one wearing all the denim?
Sydney
And the cowboy boots?
Kyle
Yeah, that’s the one.
Sydney
Huh. I thought she seemed like a good match for you.
Kyle
That’s why I broke up with her.
Kyle
She WAS a good match for me.
Kyle
We agreed on everything.
His hand is now resting on her shoulder.
Slowly, and while keeping his eyes on hers…
He traces the delicate line of her neck with his fingertips.
And then brushes his coarse knuckles over her cheek.
The pad of his thumb caresses her cheekbone…
Then moves down over her lips.
She can’t suppress her shiver at the sensation.
Sydney
Do you want to find out?
And before Sydney can say another word…
Kyle’s hands are at her elbows.
He hauls her up to her toes.
Then his lips are on hers.
Because never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined this.
Kyle is kissing her, and it’s magical.
He nips at her lower lip just before drawing back, and she gasps.
She reaches up to dig her fingers into his shoulders.
Kyle
Yeah, that about sums it up.
Kyle
So…are we doing this?
Sydney
We’ll kill each other.
Sydney
And I’ll make you eat a ton of vegetables.
Kyle
Only if you try steak.
Sydney
Fine, but then you’re going to a gallery opening.
Kyle
If you’ll go to a hockey game.
Sydney
Wait, will you make me go to the gym with you?
Kyle
Wouldn’t dream of it.
Kyle
But then again…you’ll miss out on seeing me all sweaty.
Sydney
We argue all the time.
Sydney
We have absolutely nothing in common.
Kyle
Not true. We have this.
Moving his hands to her waist…
He hauls her against him for another bone-melting kiss.
She’s short of breath when they pull back.
Sydney
You make a very compelling argument.
Beside them, they hear the sound of a glass hitting the floor.
They both look over to see Darren.
He’s gaping at the pair of them.
Darren
What is going ON here?!
Darren
All I did was go to the bathroom.
Darren
What world have I re-entered?
Sydney
We just figured out that opposites attract.
