“There may have been some developments.”
She let out a high-pitched squeal that turned several heads. Unfazed, she said, “Tell me everything. Tell me Luke finally realized he’s been in love with you this whole time and you spent the weekend locked in some kind of debauched modern day fairy tale. Is that what happened?”
I tapped a finger against my chin. “Hmm. I’m not sure you’ve earned this story. It’s exclusive content. Might need to run a credit check first.”
“How dare you stop yourself from updating me when I’ve so loyally rooted for you since day one. I’m your best friend. I have rights.”
“You’re dramatic.”
“It’s the theater kid in me. You can take the stage from the girl but you can’t keep the girl from the stage. Now, come on, don’t leave me lingering in the entr’acte, I’m too invested.”
“He may have told me he has feelings for me, and he’s had them for a while, but he didn’t understand them for what they were until recently.”
“Gasp! This is the plot twist I dreamed of for you. Shut. Up! No, actually don’t shut up, do the opposite of shutting up. Openup and pour the contents directly into my soul. Did he kiss you? Did you kiss him? Did you partake in a little...” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Bow-chicka-wow-wow?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “There were multiple kisses. Plural. And they were perfect.”
“My molecules are in a conga line. Give me more. Did he do the jaw-hand thing?”
“The jaw-hand thing?” I echoed.
“Yes, the jaw-hand thing. When a man holds your face, thumb grazing your cheek, palm warm against your jaw, and suddenly the rest of the world just dissolves.”
“Oh, that. Yes, he did the jaw-hand thing,” I said.
“Cinematic gold. Go figure your himbo dreamboat would have that coded into his DNA. Ugh, I love this for you. Okay, logistics. Label it for me. What stage are we at? Soft-launching the relationship? Pre-soft-launch teaser trailer? Official boyfriends? Shared Costco membership with bulk-snack hauls? Soul-bound life partners destined for a dual headstone that reads:They Loved, It Was Epic?”
“We didn’t quite get around to putting a label on it.”
Talia stared at me, horrified. “Babe, you’ve been pining for him for weeks. You need to put that guy on lock.”
“In my defense there were other things happening. Emotional things. Physical things. Wonderfully distracting things that I still can’t believe actually happened. It’s all still a bit surreal.”
“Fair. I’ll allow a temporary grace period for mind-melting intimacy. However, now you need to circle back and seal that deal. I’m talking, stake your claim. Climb him like a tree. Leave marks that require a turtleneck. Set the mood with Marvin Gaye, low light, add an assortment of toys—of the sexual variety—and finish with a can of whipped cream used on select body parts. Nipples are evergreen, but I am personally a strong supporter ofthe creamed dick. Once you’ve licked it all off, rail him into next week.”
“Talia!” I slapped a hand over my face. Attempting any of that with Luke, with zero preamble, would probably cause him to short-circuit so catastrophically he’d leave the land of the living. “I adore you, but that plan would send him into a medical-grade shutdown and me into witness protection. Neither of us would emotionally survive the aftermath.”
“Fine. No dairy-based seduction,” she sighed.
I paused, an idea sparking. “Actually, dairy isn’t the issue. It’s the execution. Whipped cream, as you’ve suggested, is a level-twenty sorcery spell, and Luke is still at beginner-friendly intimacy incantations.”
“I’m intrigued, go on.”
“I’ll plan a date. Something intentional and romantic. We’ll talk and kiss and at the end, I’ll surprise him with his favorite dessert. A literal sweet gesture. That feels more us.”
“Hm. Cozy domestic seduction and soul bearing. I approve. But leave room for a little horizontal cha-cha in case after such romantic declarations the mood strikes.”
I rolled my eyes. “I will take your suggestion under advisement.”
The next day, when I got off work, I set to work on my plan. Apron donned, I began crafting a tiramisu cake.
The cake chilled in the fridge, sandwiches packed with veggies and sliced fruit tucked into a cooler bag, when his key jangled outside the door. Waiting another heartbeat proved impossible. I tackled Luke at the door with a kiss so effusive, so brimming with joy and want and irrepressible affection, it drove adelighted rumble from deep in his chest. He caught me without hesitation, lips answering.
I loved this. Loved the freedom to reach for him like this, without fear of reproach or consequence.
“Hello there,” he said when I unattached myself.
“Hi,” I said.
