Page 147 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
Gabe nodded. “If that’s what you want. I’ll just listen in and give you moral support.”
“They might say something bad about you.”
“I doubt it’ll be anything I’ve never heard before.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Don’t worry, Luna. I know myself and what I feel about you. Nothing they say can change that.”
“You charmer.” Leaning close to him, I pressed my lips to his. My entire body felt electric as he delved his fingers into my hair and deepened the kiss. Soon, I was breathless, my heart racing for reasons other than nerves.
He broke away from me. “You’re using me as a distraction.”
I took the huskiness of his voice as a compliment. Gripping the front of his shirt, I pulled him to me again, and his mouth curved against mine.
“Stop procrastinating.”
I groaned. “Okay, okay.” I drew away, but he followed me with a quick kiss before sitting back.
Still, his hand lowered to mine and squeezed it. “I’ll be right here. You’ve got this, Luna.”
My breath rattled into my lungs. “Thanks. Here goes nothing.”
Opening the video call app on my laptop, I started a call with my family. My parents’ faces popped up on the screen, Mama slipping on her glasses.
“Luna, hi!” She grinned at me. “I’m so glad you were able to call.”
“We were starting to think you wouldn’t,” Papa added.
My stomach swirled at his subtle rebuke. “Sorry, I had to finish something first. How are you two?”
“Good. We just got back from the mall. Tala and Jason treated us to brunch,” Mama said. “The chicken and waffles were amazing.”
Papa nodded. “So were the sausages. But they should be, given the price.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed brunch.” Ate told me they’d chosen a special restaurant to put my parents in a good mood, and I couldn’t thank her enough. “Hopefully, I can try it with you guys next time.”
“We’ll definitely plan for that,” Mama said. “How are you doing there?”
Here it was, my perfect opening. “Great. Everything’s going well so far.” I took a breath. “Actually?—”
“Have you heard that Alonzo made the dean’s list again?” Papa interrupted. “He’s on track to graduate summa cum laude next year.”
My stomach clenched. Gabe put his hand on my thigh, silently backing me up. “That’s amazing! Where is he?”
“In the bathroom,” Mama said. “What were you going to say?”
“Oh, yeah. I was going to say that I’m really enjoying my internship.”
“At that fashion store, right? I’m glad you were able to find an opportunity with them.”
Her words gave me the boost I needed. “Yeah, me too. It works out perfectly cause I added a few other classes so I can earn a minor in fashion merchandising.”
For a moment that seemed to stretch out forever, there was silence.
Gabe squeezed my thigh, and it urged me to continue the speech we’d practiced.
“This way I can apply my degree in an industry I’m really interested in. I already took some classes in advance so I won’t be overloaded this year,” I explained in hopes of placating my parents. “My advisor fixed my study plan to make sure my schedule works out.”
“If you wanted to study more, why didn’t you choose something practical?” Papa asked.
“I already chose management for practicality,” I told him. “The fashion part is for me.”
