My smile comes more easily now. If anyone deserves happiness, it's her. I watched Aidan, her ex, destroy her piece by piece. Watched the cops dismiss her when she begged forhelp. Watched her fall asleep with tears still wet on her cheeks, watched her flinch at every notification on her phone.
I was there through all of it. If the universe owes anyone peace, she's first in line.
"There's something different about you." She studies me carefully.
"Is there?"
"Yeah. You have this...oh. Oh my God." Her grin turns wicked as she drops into an armchair. "You have that look."
"What look?" I touch my face instinctively.
"The postorgasmic glow."
I grab the nearest pillow and launch it at her head.
"Stop it."
My face burns and I refuse to meet her eyes, knowing she'll see the stupid smile trying to break free.
"I can see you anyway. Roxy, look at me."
"I don't want to hear it, Luna Radulescu. Not one word."
Her laughter fills the room. When she finally catches her breath, she hugs the pillow to her chest. She's drowning in an oversized blue sweater, those round glasses from high school perched on her nose, and a determined look on her face that says I'm not escaping this conversation.
"Fine. It is a postorgasmic look. Post-best-orgasm-of-my-life look." The words rush out. "I never thought sex could feel like that. I'm not exactly a prude but—"
"With him it was different." Luna's voice goes soft, understanding warming her gaze.
"Yes. There was an emotional connection, and I've officially lost my mind saying that out loud."
"Wow. Never thought I'd hear you put soul and sex in the same sentence."
"Don't your cheeks hurt from smiling? And when have I ever—" I shake my head. "Something's wrong. Maybe my birth control expired and my hormones are freaking out. Or the stress—"
"Or maybe you finally found your person. The one meant for you."
I love you.Those three words he said last night with such certainty make me want to tell him he's wrong, that he can't possibly feel that way about me. But I can't bring myself to say it. It would feel like a betrayal—because from the very first moment, this man has made me feel truly cherished.
"Maybe," I murmur, looking down.
"What does an orgasm feel like?"
Luna and I both freeze. Victoria stands in the doorway with her hair in a messy ponytail and wearing a white hoodie, pink leggings, and what appear to be koala slippers twice the size of her head. She's clutching a book as thick as a dictionary.
"Well, since you asked—" I start, but Luna launches from her seat and claps her hands over Victoria's ears.
"Hey!" Victoria protests.
"Vi, you know that throbbing vein Roman gets when he's stressed? If he hears you say that, it's gonna blow."
All three of us crack up.
"I'm nineteen, Luna. Shocking revelation, but I know where babies come from."
"No, trust me, you don't." Luna's voice goes serious. "Not when your brothers are near. If you want to leave this house without a security detail meant for the president, you still believe in storks."
Victoria gives her a sweet smile, waves at me, and heads upstairs muttering "tyranny."
