With my sandwich in hand, I approach Mila’s friends where they’re working. Crosby shakes my hand and introduces everyone I don’t know. The women hug me one by one, and Crosby glares when Leela puts her hands on me. I completely understand, even though he needs to know I am zero threat to him. I’m about to say something to that effect when I feel someone staring.
Turning around, I see Mila approaching, with something in her eyes that looks like…jealousy? That can’t be right.
And yet, when she ambles up next to me and slips her arm around my waist, I can’t help but feel good. Oddly settled and calmed. The scent of her sweat is working for me.
I look down at her, and how she smiles at me makes me forget this is all a charade.
For that brief moment when our eyes are locked on each other’s, I forget the lies. This is just us. A wave of pride and happiness rushes over me. I need to kiss her. I’m going to kiss her now.
I don’t know if jealousy is a factor, but it\ doesn’t matter because it’s all bound up in my other feelings. I move by instinct, and so does Mila. I angle my face, and then our lips come together in a mostly chaste kiss. Time stops. The world disappears. All I feel is her soft lips against mine, her breath on my cheek. She smells like hard work and that herbal soap she uses.
Everything around us is oddly silent when we break apart from the kiss. I know people are staring at us. Cassandra’s eyes survey us with a knowing look.” Y’all are giving me a toothache.”
“Study buddies my ass,”snorts Meghan.
Leela looks up at Crosby and nestles herself into the crook of his arm, and he squeezes her tight.
Meghan glances from us to Leela and rolls her eyes but with a smile. “Can we get to work now?”