Page 63 of We're At It Again

“So, I guess that means we’re dating. For real.”

“I guess it does.”

She folded her arms across her chest with a teasing grin.

“Have you ever been someone’s boyfriend before?”

I smirked, shaking my head.

“No, but I’m already better than your previous one.”

She giggled, the sound light and joyous.

“You are.”

My heart almost plummeted into my stomach as she placed her hands on the back of my neck, drawing me into a kiss. It was otherworldly, sealing the promise of our newfound relationship. However, she pulled away too early for my liking. She reached into her pocket and handed me a small box.

“I got you something.”

I couldn’t help but admire her eyes shining with anticipation. Raising my brows, I opened the box to find an Oasis lighter. I chuckled, looking at her with a mixture of amusement and affection. She remembered they’re my favorite band.

“I noticed you stopped smoking, but I thought you’d like it, anyway.”

“I love it.”

With a wide grin, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box. She opened it and gasped in disbelief. My mother’s sun and moon necklace.

“I can’t accept this.” She said, looking up at me with wide eyes.

“My mom would have wanted you to have it.”

She hesitated, brushing her finger along the silver, before turning and lifting her hair, exposing the back of her neck.

“Help me put it on?”

I clipped the necklace on, my fingers brushing against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. She turned back around as we admired how it looked on her.

“It’s perfect on you.”

My mom gave it to me when I was nine. She told me it symbolized true love. I gagged telling her girls had cooties and I would never dream of it, but reflecting on it, I knew she wanted to leave something of hers behind. She knew she wouldn’t have much time with me and wanted to cherish the moment. She told me it wouldn’t be too difficult for me to find the beholder of my heart, and that she was closer than I thought. She’d been referring to Luna the entire time.

Luna gazed at me in happiness, before reaching onto her tiptoes for another kiss. This one was deeper, more passionate. The bracing air seemed to disappear, replaced by the warmth of our shared love and the promise of the future.

?

37

LUNA

IT WAS A TYPICAL SATURDAY AFTERNOON. I found myself in Hudson’s garage, the air thick with motor oil and the faintest hint of his cologne. He was teaching me how to fix the engine of an old car, and I couldn’t help but admire how adorable he looked doing it. Enthusiasm was clear in his voice as he explained the intricacies of the machinery. His presence was close, his arms wrapped around me to show what was important. I could feel his body heat through the thin material of his beloved Oasis shirt.

I tried to focus on his explanations, but my attention kept drifting to the tattoos that adorned his arms and how his breath tickled my neck. My heart raced, and I found myself lost in the moment, my mind far from the engine in front of me.

“Got it?” he asked, giving me a gentle shake. “What were you thinking about?”

My cheeks flushed a deep red.

“Sorry, something distracted me.”

---