“Silly Alex,” I murmur under my breath. “She already is, you goose.”
I light that one first, then spread the others across every available surface. Is there time to run to my garden for rose petals? I check the clock. Four minutes down, one to go. Wildflowers and pretty weeds, it is.
I bolt outside, screen door banging behind me, and whoop at my luck—Alex hasn’t mowed in a few days. I pluck every wild violet in his front yard and dash back to the bedroom, strewing them over the bed in the shape of a heart. Speaking of hearts, mine is a rocket ticking down to launch, sweat beading on my collarbones, my upper lip. I wipe it on my shirt, checking my reflection in a hallway mirror. I wish I’d worn my lacy red bralette, but at least my underwear’s cute.
I gnaw on my lip. This shirt has too many buttons.
I’d envisioned slowly lifting my shirt over my head, shaking out my hair, while Alex watches. To make it easier, I begin the laborious process of unbuttoning. But that makes me look too desperate, maybe? And he might want to undress me instead. I hop around, rebuttoning. Then I seize the small box from the Moonville Market bag on the kitchen counter so that condoms won’t be far away when we need them, and while I’m in the kitchen, I grab the Alexa, too. I’m plugging it into the outletnext to Alex’s bed when he slinks into the room in a billowing steam of Irish Spring.
“That was seven minutes,” I reproach. “And what’s this business?” I gesture to his T-shirt and basketball shorts. “You’re fully dressed. I was hoping you’d walk out here naked.”
“We’re starting from the beginning. We have all night.” He stops, dread lacing his tone. “Don’t we? Or were you wanting to leave... after?” He tries to sound casual about it, like whatever I want is cool with him, but I know better.
“You got a spare toothbrush?”
“I have a super pack you can choose from.”
“Then we’re good.” I swallow, trying not to fidget. I forget how to use my arms—keep them pinned to my side? Maybe that’s too severe. I cross them over my chest, but that looks defensive, like I don’t want to be ravished. And I definitely want to be ravished. I settle for clasping my hands behind my back, which has the added bonus of pushing my chest out. Perfect.
I’m beginning to wish we’d kept our fire going in the kitchen. Pressing pause has led to me overthinking, which isn’t an issue we ran into that night in the field.
I wait for him to approach, but nowheseems nervous, gaze roving over my body, probably daunted that I’m wearing a garment with so many buttons. He sits down on the bed without glancing at it and smears purple petals all over.
I try to brush the petals away, but end up tearing them, so they roll into tiny pellets. “Ugh, it’s making a mess. Sorry.”
“Are you kidding? This is adorable. I’m all about it.”
I smack my forehead. “And you have pollen allergies! I completely forgot.”
“Nah, I take meds, it’s fine.”
We face each other.
“Okay.” He smiles slowly. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
“Good.” I shake out my hands. “Let’s do this.”
He has to stop so that he can laugh at my solemnity, trying to regain seriousness. But the second before his mouth descends on mine, I inexplicably burst into giggles. He leans back. “What?”
“I’m fine, I promise. Kiss me.” I sit up on my knees, moving to slide across his lap, but accidentally knee him in the groin.
He hisses through his teeth.
“No! Oh, no! I’m so sorry!”
“I think I’m going to throw up.” He closes his eyes.
“What can I do? I’m sorry. I’msosorry. Do you want an ice pack? Heating pad? I don’t know which one helps!”
“I’m okay, just give me a minute. Why are we so bad at this?” He moans. “It’s like the first time we kissed, when you—”
“Don’t remind me. I forbid you.”
“—kept your lips fused shut and your eyes wide open.”
“Sto-o-o-op.”
“It was hilarious.”
