We’d booked the silver suite on theCelestialcruise, which included five bedrooms and a lounge.
I removed my headphones and looked at Milk, who stood by the door, dressed casually. “Hey, we’re heading out of the suite to eat; you coming?” she asked.
I plastered a small smile on my lips. “No, I’m good.”
Her shoulders dropped, eyes filling with concern. “Oh… you want us to get you anything?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
“It’s food, Zahra.”
I let out a small laugh. “Yeah, I know, I don’t think I have an appetite. You guys go ahead.” I sank farther into the bed.“Have fun.” I tried to sound cheerful, but it came out half-assed.
She threw her head back and yelled, “You guys go on without me and Zahra! Get us food, we’ll hang back!”
“Got it!” Upper yelled from somewhere in the suite.
“You don’t have to do that,” I told her as she entered the room, closing the door behind her. She kicked off her sneakers, walked over, and climbed into bed with me. “Seriously, go have fun,” I said as she got under the covers, scooted closer, spooning from behind.
“It won’t be fun without you there,” she murmured against my hair.
I groaned, but my appreciation for her staying behind caused a swirl of warmth in my chest.
“I don’t like sappy shit like this,” I murmured back, relaxing into her hold as her chin rested on my shoulder.
“I do; deal with it.”
I couldn’t fight off my smile.
“You’ve been sad since we left Milan, don’t think we haven’t noticed. I gave you time and space to tell me or any one of us yourself, but it seems you won’t do that on your own.”
“I haven’t been sad,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
“You’ve barely been eating for the past three weeks.”
I chuckled, falling deeper into her body. “Just because I am barely eating doesn’t mean I’m sad.”
Milk scoffed. “You never say no to food.”
I managed a shrug. “I guess I’m just having a bad month.”
“You can tell me, Zahra,” she said softly, genuinely. “Whatever it is, I’ll try to help you sort it out. Anything to get you out of your funk.” She hugged me tighter, intertwining our fingers.
Telling her didn’t ultimately seem out of the question. If I were going to tell Devil, there was no way all of Street wouldn’t find out.
Besides, I needed some of Milk’s unhinged and unfilteredadvice. I was contemplating whether now was the best time to tell Devil or not. I needed a boost of confidence, a vote to go ahead.
I took a deep breath and turned so we could face each other.
“Promise you won’t freak out,” I said softly.
She pressed her lips together, eyes searching mine. After a few beats of silence, she said, “Honestly, it depends.”
“Come on, Milk.”
“Fine, okay… I won’t freak out,” she said reluctantly.
I let out a breath. “I think I like someone I shouldn’t like.”
