Page 78 of Tasty Cherry

I can’t look him in the eye. “You may not have noticed, but I don’t exactly have hot girl summers.”

He spins my stool so I face him. “Don’t say that about yourself. Don’t even think it.”

“It’s hard not to. Do you know how hard I tried to go home with somebody in college? And all summer?”

He holds up a hand. “I can’t help that most boys are dumb.” He takes my fingers and brushes a kiss on the back of my hand. “I think you are incredible. And I hope that if we ever get to the place where we’re not together anymore, you still believe it when I’m no longer allowed to show you.”

So this is what it’s like to date someone who’s fully formed into adulthood. Who knows what he likes. Who isn’t afraid to say it.

Tears smart my eyes. If going through eight years of rejection and loneliness were what it took to get me here, on this stool with this man, then I know one thing is absolutely true.

It was worth it.

26

SEBASTIAN

Mila decides she would rather sneak in late at night, so not too long after dinner, she heads back to the hotel.

I definitely understand. She’s less likely to run into anyone at one in the morning, when she leaves, than midmorning, when any number of the interns or other staff members might notice her arrival. We both recognize the necessity of being discreet.

When I come downstairs Sunday morning, Arya is in her usual position on the sofa, Alfalfa on her lap.

“I left you some coffee,” she says.

“Thanks.”

“Which one of you touched my book?”

I smile inwardly. “I didn’t let Mila take it. I knew you would have a cow.”

“Exactly. She can get her own copy.”

I pour myself a cup of coffee and sit in the chair opposite of her. “Thanks for giving me space. It won’t always be necessary. Mila is nothing like Haley.”

Arya shrugs. “I’m sure. Haley was a real piece of work.”

Mom always said I was blind to women’s faults. Then she would laugh and say thank goodness. It certainly is useful for her and my sister.

But Mila isn’t like that. I’m sure of it.

Right?

Would I be able to see it?

Arya pets Alfie’s black head. “Besides, there is only so much that noise canceling headphones can really cancel.”

“What kind do you have?” I ask.

“I don’t know. Whatever came with my phone.”

“I’ll get you a new pair.”

“I hear those pricey Apple AirPods are great.”

“Done.”

She sits up. “I like this. What else can I shake you down for?”

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