Page 59 of What Happened Last Night

Luna snapped her fingers. “Will?”

I dragged my gaze back up to her face. “Yeah?”

The corner of her mouth quirked. “Are you going to change, too, or do you hang out at home in your work clothes?” She gestured to my clothes.

“Fine.” I tugged my shirt loose and began to unbutton it. I didn’t know why Luna had felt more comfortable changing in my bedroom when I’d already seen her naked, but I didn’t have the same problem.

It was her turn to go quiet as I finished unbuttoning and took my shirt off. Luna’s gaze fixed on my tattoo as I walked toward the bedroom, carrying the shirt. “Go ahead and say it,” I said.

“Say what?” she asked.

“Whatever commentary you have about my place. I’m sure you’re thinking of something.”

“It’s beautiful.” Luna followed me into the bedroom. “This bedroom is beautiful. The kitchen is beautiful. I can see why you wanted to buy this place instead of move out.”

“I didn’t do any of the decorating.” I took off my shoes and opened the walk-in closet to hang my shirt. “That was the guy I bought it from. He left a lot of his furniture, though some of it is mine. I haven’t lived here long enough to personalize it much.”

“That’s definitely yours.” I followed her gesture to the art on the wall. It was a photo of Jimi Hendrix onstage at Woodstock, his back to the camera as he played his guitar in front of the crowd.

“That’s mine,” I agreed. I unbuckled my belt and dropped my pants. “I can’t explain why I like that photo so much, really. It makes me happy to look at it, that’s all.”

“Um,” Luna said, but her eyes were crawling up my legs and my boxer briefs as I turned to hang up my pants. “Why is it so hot watching you be uptight about your clothes?”

“I’m not uptight.” I crossed to the dresser and opened it, looking for sweats to wear. “I like my space a certain way, that’s all. The only person allowed to make a mess in here is you. I made a reservation at Le Chat Noir for Friday night, by the way.”

“What?” She took her gaze off my ass long enough to process what I’d said. “For dinner with Katie? That’s the most expensive French restaurant in Portland.”

“I know. I’m trying to impress Katie. I hope it works, since she already ambushed me. I’m not sure I impressed her, and I’m hoping that crassly flaunting my wealth will do the trick.”

Suddenly Luna was at my elbow, grabbing the T-shirt from my hands. “Katie ambushed you?”

“Yesterday morning,” I said. “It was intense. There were a lot of questions.”

Luna’s eyes were wide. “About what? Oh, god—She didn’t ask you what porn you watch, did she?”

For a second we were silent, staring at each other in mutual bewilderment. “Is it—Was that a topic of conversation between you two?” I finally asked.

Luna bit her lip. “Um. No?”

“Jesus.” I took the shirt back and put it on, then took a pair of gray sweatpants from the drawer. “Is there anything private your family doesn’t want to know about me?”

“I’m sorry,” Luna said. “It’s a lot. If you want, I’ll fly to New York and let your parents interrogate me. Will that help?”

“No.” Luna would bewilder my parents. Then again, I bewildered my parents these days. “My parents wouldn’t interrogate you. They’re far too well-behaved for that.”

Her cheeks flushed. “So my family isn’t well-behaved?”

I gave her a look. “Your mother walked in on us, remember? But to be fair, my parents are on the other end of the spectrum. The end where no one talks about anything, ever. We silently let things fester until they make us miserable, and then we run away.” I ran a hand through my hair. “It’s unhealthy, but at least it’s peaceful.”

Luna didn’t reply. I turned to see that she was flushed and tense, her breath rising and falling. I’d upset her.

Nice work, Hale.

“Hey.” I stepped close, rubbing her upper arms with my palms. “I’m sorry. That was harsh.”

“This is why I haven’t dated anyone.” She hugged herself, suddenly seeming near tears. “This is the exact reason. No one wants to get put through this when they’re dating someone new. Anyone would think it’s too much. So I’ve been alone forever instead. I tried to keep you out of it, Will. I really did.”

I slid my arms around her shoulders and pulled her gently to my chest. She stayed tense, though she didn’t move away. “Luna, it’s all right. It isn’t a big deal.”

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