I leaned my head back with a sigh.
“It’s cool your brother wouldn’t snitch on Livy, though. He’s a good guy.”
“He’s so good. I wish you could have met him. He’d have been here if not for me.”
Leon scratched his head. “Don’t say that. It’s not your fault.”
“You’re right. It’s Livy’s.”
“All that drama because of a roll in the hay. No wonder a half a million people showed up here in support of the sexual revolution. ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It,’” he sang into his fist. “Know that song?”
At first, I wanted to lie. Then I realized there was no need to pretend. I was back from a long, bad trip and could finally be me. “I don’t.”
“Last track onTommy. I’m hoping the Who plays it tonight.”
I wished I knew more of the music he loved.
“Now I’m curious about something,” I said, remembering how he’d said those exact words the day before.
“What’s that?”
“Does your family believe sex before marriage is a sin?”
A slow smile embellished his face. “Sex outside of marriage is amortalsin for Catholics.”
“What’s a mortal sin?”
“A grave sin committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent,” he said theatrically. “Catholics learn that early in catechism class. It is forgivable.” He raised a finger. “As long as you confess to the priest and receive Holy Communion.”
“There’s gonna be a long confession line after the festival,” I said. “Might wrap all the way around New York City.” We both laughed. It felt good to laugh.
“Can you imagine sliding into a small dark box, telling some old fat dude you have lustful thoughts?”
“No!” I said with a chuckle, happy my church didn’t require that.
Leon grew quiet. That same mysterious grin appeared, the one he had given me at the pond. A moment later his face floated toward me, and he gently opened my mouth with his. His tongue searched for mine. I felt lightheaded. I wanted to melt on top of him, feel every cell on his body, never regaining my own form.
I slipped one hand through his hair and caressed the back of his neck with the other. I wanted him to want me, the same way I wanted him. To never forget this moment. Never forget me.
As his lips left mine, he looked into my eyes, gently tucking my damp hair behind each ear. “You are something special. You know that?”
I didn’t sayyes. I didn’t sayno. I just peered at him, wishing he would run away with me.
“You didn’t deserve that kind of treatment from your father. Or your best friend.” With my cheek cradled in his palm, he kissed me again, then, inches from my lips, whispered, “I wish I could have protected you.”
As his hand slipped from my cheek, I longed for him to put it back. Instead, he took my hand in his. “Despite your dad’s shit, you’re gonna thrive. You’re strong. You’re smart,funny, a gas to be around. I’ve learned all that about you in less than two days.” He held up two fingers.
“You’re sweet to say that.”
“Know what else?” he whispered, grazing his lips against mine.
I shook my head.
“Ilovehow naive you are.”
I dipped my chin, covered my face with my hand.
“Hey. Look at me.” Our eyes met. “I think it’s endearing.” He kissed me again. “And refreshing.”
