Page 158 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
Chuckling, I introduced them to Max, who congratulated Jason in advance of his master’s graduation ceremony. Then Max excused himself, promising to drop by the surprise party I’d set up for Luna in the office this evening.
“Everything okay?” I asked Tala yet again. “Does she have any idea?”
“Yes, we’re all set. If she knows anything, she hasn’t let on. Stop worrying.” She hooked an arm around my elbow and tugged me and Jason toward the seating area. “Have you seen her already?”
“No.” I scanned the crowd of students lining up for their march and finally spotted her. She stood with her back to me, but I’d recognize her anywhere.
She wore the same maroon robe as the rest of her class, with the addition of a pink and yellow floral crown perched on her head, covering the base of her mortar board. She was the singular subject my eyes focused on. Everything else blurred into the background.
“There she is,” I told her family.
“Is that . . . a plumeria crown?” Jason murmured.
“It’s her favorite flower. Kal?—"
“Kalachuchi,” Tala chimed in. “There used to be a big tree near our house.”
Alonzo snickered. “She almost fell off it one time.”
“She didn’t tell me that part,” I said, still staring at her. Willing her to turn around.
“Shit, you are so whipped.” Alonzo shook his head.
“I called it first,” Tala said.
Jason smirked at me. “I think it’s adorable.”
“Like you’re any better,” Alonzo grumbled. “You moved across the world to be with Ate.”
“Wait till it’s your turn,” Jason said.
“I have a girlfriend, and you don’t seemelosing my mind.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Jason and Tala exchanging loaded looks, but I ignored them. There would be time to talk later. For now, I watched Luna live out one of her dreams.
As she walked up the stage an hour later, I wondered if I’d ever seen her more radiant. She beamed as she accepted her diploma and went to the designated spot for her photo. Her eyes skimmed the crowd before landing on me. When she smiled, I swore my heart stopped. My lips stretched wide, and despite my former peers and students surrounding me, I stood with Luna’s family and cheered for the woman I loved.
luna
My cheeks achedwith the weight of my happiness.
It was done. I had my diploma in my hands and my future within reach. It felt unbelievable but scary, too, and I wanted to soak everything in—the people, the voices, the bigger than my body emotions—and capture them in my memory. Soon enough, things would change, but I would bask in this moment as long as I could.
Chloe glanced back at me from her seat a few rows in front of mine. Holding up her phone, she tapped the screen.
I took it as a sign to check my phone.
Chloe
@Luna Guess your man’s done with being discreet.
Chuckling, I typed out a reply:
Luna
So am I
Chloe
