“And we realized,” I continue, pretending to look solemn, “that the best thing we could do was to get together,” I finish, grinning.
“What!” Yana shrieks so loud the spoon falls out of Matt’s hand. “Wait, wait, wait. Are you dating? Like officially?”
Tilly laughs, “Yeah… officially.”
Yana counts on her fingers. “If you talked at one p.m. yesterday, that means you’ve been together for—TWENTY-SIX HOURS. And you didn’t tell me?”
“I was still processing!” Tilly laughs. “I needed to get used to the idea that I have aboyfriend.”
“Oh my God, I’m so happy for you!” Zara squeals, launching herself across the table to hug Tilly.
I lean back, laughing so hard my ribs hurt.
I take Tilly’s hand under the table, and when she smiles at me, everything feels right.
How do you feel, being the biggest disappointment–
Chapter 27
Tilly
Zara and Yana practically drag me to their room after lunch, like I’m a criminal who has been caught.
Yana flings the door open. “Okay. Sit. Now.”
I barely do before Zara claps her hands like a judge. “Give us the details!”
I can’t stop smiling. “You guys are insane.”
“Correction,” Yana says, flopping onto the bed, “we are emotionally invested.” She exhales and fans herself. “I need to calm down because what the hell!”
Zara points at me. “While she meditates, I’ll interrogate you. First question — are you happy?”
“Yes,” I say instantly.
But the word doesn’t even come close.
I’m not just happy — I can feel my heart glowing. Like something heavy has finally slipped off my chest, and all that is left is lightness.
Like the shell around it is gone, letting the light spread around my whole chest.
Luca’s hoodie smells like mine, and I feel like I might float.
Zara grins knowingly. “That’s the look of a girl in love.”
I groan, burying my face in a pillow. “Stop, you’re making it weird.”
“Don’t you dare hide,” Yana says, kicking me gently. “You owe us details. How did it happen?”
“Yeah,” Zara says, leaning forward, eyes sparkling. “Start from the beginning. Did he kiss you first? Did he cry? Did you cry? Did someone trip? Did you confess in the rain?”
“No one tripped, and it wasn’t raining. I just went to him and told him that I love him.”
Both of them gasp.
“You confessed first?” Yana’s jaw drops. “Miss ‘I’ll never tell a guy I love him first’?”
I shrug, trying to hide the way my ears burn. “Yeah, well, he kind of said it first months ago… and I panicked back then. So I guess I was just catching up.”
