Page 123 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
I considered telling them the truth, because if I couldn’t tell my friends, who could I? I needed to share it with someone, and I felt awkward talking to my sister about it. “We kind of . . . kissed.”
Kriz twisted in her seat. “And?” she asked at the same time that Chloe exclaimed, “Kind of? How can you not be sure?”
Gripping my cup tighter, I said, “I mean, we did.”
“And then?” Kriz pressed.
“Then we stopped.”
“Was he bad at it?” Chloe asked. “Because that man looks like he’d know what he’s doing.”
“No, no,” I hurried to answer. “It was amazing.”
“Did you get cold feet?” came from Kriz.
“He stopped it, not me.” Chloe’s question tugged at my insecurity. “Maybe I was the one who sucked.” I hadn’t considered it in the moment since he’d seemed to be just as intoit as I’d been. But if he was, how could he have stopped that easily?
“I’m sure that’s not it. What did he say exactly?” Kriz asked.
“He said I was important to him and he wanted to do it the right way.”
Chloe huffed. “What right way? Did he need to shower? Take an STD test?”
“Maybe he wanted to set the scene,” Kriz suggested. “You know, roses, candles. The whole nine yards. If that’s the case, that’s so romantic of him.”
Meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror, Chloe asked, “Luna, did you ask him what he meant?”
It hadn’t crossed my mind to, but now that she brought it up, it seemed so obvious. I scrambled for an excuse that wouldn’t give my stupidity away. “From the way he said it, it sounded like he wanted to take things slow. And I know he’s also worried about me being a student and what people would think. Heisstill finishing his doctorate.”
An uncomfortable silence settled inside the car. Kriz and Chloe exchanged glances.
Then Chloe spoke up. “I just asked because I don’t want him to push you around. He’s older and all, but you should have an equal say in what you two do or don’t do.Especiallyif you get serious, which I’m assuming you want.”
Her words caught me off-guard with their honest concern. Once again, she gave me something to chew on. Since Gabe and I became friends, he took care not to pressure me—aside from the alcohol issue—but his boundaries dictated much of our dynamic. I’d gotten used to us being that way, but I couldn’t be the one always giving in.
“You’re right,” I said.
“Obviously. I’m not just the hot one, you know.”
Her characteristic snark broke the sudden gravity in the car, pulling a chuckle out of my throat.
“Don’t you love this wise-ass bitch?” Kriz said to me.
I realized I actually did. Chloe didn’t show off her caring side often, and that gave these rare occasions even more impact. It might have taken us nearly three years to get to this point, but it was true what they said—the best thingswereworth the wait.
Now if only I could pin down the one man I’d been waiting for all this time.
chapter thirty-nine
gabe
Gabe
Are you free to talk at 3?
Max
Sure. Faculty office?
