‘Xander, why are you arguing with me?’
He geared up with a response, then paused. He blinked. ‘You’re absolutely right, whyamI arguing with you?’ He shot to his feet. ‘Be ready at seven!’
Before she knew what he was doing, he quickly kissed her cheek. A tingle went down her spine; she touched a cold hand to her warm cheek, as if to capture the kiss.
‘Wait!’ she cried, realizing that he was leaving. ‘Where are you going?’
‘I have a beauty routine I must get to!’ he called back, not bothering to turn. ‘I have a date and must look my absolute best!’
She laughed, feeling giddy. But she was frightened, too.
She didn’t want to ruin this, whatever it was.
23
Bisma returned home to get dressed and arrived shortly after Luna.
‘How was it?’ Bisma asked Luna, who was in the kitchen with Mei. They were making hot chocolate, and their home was thick with the sweet smell.
Luna giggled at Bisma, which adequately answered Bisma’s question.
Bisma squealed.
‘How was it for you?’ Luna asked.
Bisma smiled.
Now it was Luna’s turn to squeal.
Mei giggled, looking between the pair of them, the three sisters positively giddy.
‘I need a complete and total debrief,’ Luna said, pouring hot chocolate into three mismatched mugs. Mei topped them with whipped cream, while Bisma reached for the jar of marshmallows.
‘You first,’ Bisma said.
The three of them grabbed their mugs and sat down on the sofa, Mei between Luna and Bisma, all their legs pulled up and over one another. With a pang, Bisma wished all her sisters were present, but she was thankful these two were at least.
As if having the same thought, Mei said, ‘Azalea will be so jealous to be missing the gossip.’ Her tone was teasing yet sad.
‘Nori would be jealous to be missing the chocolate,’ Luna added.
‘And Deebs would just want cuddles,’ Bisma said, reaching for both her sisters’ hands.
They all sighed.
Luna cleared her throat. ‘Baji, you were right,’ Luna said. ‘I wasn’t giving Haru enough credit—he is wonderful. Just … wonderful.’
‘Aw, Lulu,’ Bisma said. ‘Details, please. I need all of them.’
And so Luna recounted every word she and Haru had shared, along with every expression, and about five interpretations for various key moments throughout the encounter. By the time she was finished, their mugs were long empty.
‘Now tell me all about Xander!’ Luna ordered.
‘We talked and … we’re going out for dinner tonight,’ she said, hiding her face as Luna and Mei squealed.
‘When?’ Luna asked.
‘At seven.’
