Page 112 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
“I knew it,” he grumbled.
“Hold on.” Ate’s eyes widened as she stared at me. “Gabe went to your party?”
Despite Lonzo’s displeasure, I smiled, unable to hide the happiness thrumming through my system. “He did. It surprised me too.”
“Did he stay inside the club, or did he just drop by to greet you?”
“He stayed and gave me a ride home.” I left it at that because that was all they needed to know. Also, Lonzo might lose it if he found out that Gabe had stayed the night—never mind that we didn’t do anything more than kiss.
But what a kiss it had been.
“Wow.” Ate shook her head slowly, a smile creeping over her face. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
Lonzo gave her a dirty look. “Why am I the only one thinking straight here? Isn’t there a rule about professors hanging out with students? Also, he’stenyears older than her.”
“Nine,” I said automatically.
His glare burned through my phone screen. “Like one year makes any difference,” he shot back.
Any giddiness I’d felt disappeared at his anger. Fighting to keep my voice steady, I said, “Look, I get that you’re trying to look out for me. But it wasmyparty, and I wanted him there. Also, he’s not my professor.”
“That doesn’t?—”
“Lonzo,” Ate snapped. “It’s Luna’s birthday, remember?”
“Yeah, and you didn’t even get me a gift,” I teased, trying to get him to lighten up.
He winced and said sheepishly, “Sorry. I’ll make up for it next time.”
“It’s okay.” The lack of a present didn’t bother me—his insistent disapproval of Gabe did.
But I played it off as if everything was fine. Ate asked about my classes, and we talked for a little over an hour, with Jason showing up for the latter part. Then I put on some makeup, braided my hair, and sat down to open my presents.
My family had sent in a cake and a digital Amazon gift card along with an NBA League Pass from Ate and Jason. Kriz gave me a pair of earrings to go with the dress for the club, while Kai surprised me with a gift card for the campus coffee shop. Lastly, I got to Chloe’s present, which was wrapped in a box smaller than a usual shoebox.
“I hope it fits,” she told me last night. “You need it.”
“It should, unless you got me anything smaller than a size six.”
She laughed at me then. “Text me when you’ve opened it.”
As I tore through the paper and uncovered the illustration on the box, my jaw dropped.
Chloe had gone and bought me a sex toy. From the look of it, it wasn’t a small, discreet thing either.
Grabbing my phone, I texted her:
Luna
You did not.
I was still staring at the box when my phone rang.
“Why are you opening your gifts?” Chloe demanded.
“Uhh . . . because it’s my birthday?”
“Exactly! You should be busy fucking the professor. Are you taking a break or something?”
