TWENTY-ONE Sebastian #2
“Yeah.” A slow nod. A small smile. “It was a big deal. My parents said they’d like to see more of that from me, but I like analyzing data and being out in the field more than writing papers.
” She touches my bottom lip with her thumb.
I suck it into my mouth and she blushes.
“We try to keep our conversations light. Quick check-ins, you know?”
“It’s a shame they don’t think what you’re doing is important. Plenty of other people do.”
“I’d probably have to stop a meteor from hitting Earth for them to consider my work important.” She pauses, reluctance in something else she’s not saying. “I’m used to talking about these things with Mia, not you.”
“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.
Sleeping together doesn’t equate to spilling your guts just because I got you off.
But I’m glad you did. We’re turning over a new leaf.
A summer different from what we’ve had before.
” I smile her way, lighter than I’ve been in weeks.
Blissed out, without any dread for tomorrow.
“In the interest of talking about things the two of us don’t normally talk about, today was exactly what I needed. ”
“Sex will do that.”
“The sex was great. Best I’ve ever had.” I press my thumb into her hip, stroking over her curves. “I always knew you were flirting with me when you called me arrogant and selfish. Look where it brought us.”
“Some things never change, do they?” The hook of her smile feels like the biggest reward. “I told you about my parents. Care to share a secret of your own? Why was today what you needed?”
“Your show. It reminded me I can be in front of a camera and do something I love without feeling like I’m about to suffocate from my surroundings.” I pause when she inches closer, throwing her calf over mine. “It gave me hope, I guess. That I can figure my life out long-term.”
“Since we’re being honest, you should know that I enjoyed having you there with me.
” Quincy reaches out, nails scraping over the outline of my tattoo.
“I’ve spent years doing the show on my own because I’ve been protective over it.
I wanted to prove to myself that I could.
And I have. But this morning felt … almost validating?
And I liked having someone to talk with about all the things that excite me.
If you ever feel like joining me again, I’ll keep the microphone set up for you. ”
“I’d like that.” I touch the corner of her mouth, my own smile matching hers. “Are you hungry?”
“I could eat. Those bites of your pancakes before the show and the almonds you brought me were all I’ve had today.”
“How do burgers and fries sound? With extra ketchup for the condiment fiend?”
“Sounds like my love language.” She hesitates, her soft grin dipping to a frown. The wheels in her head are turning, and her hand falls away. “We need to talk about the friends-with-benefits thing.”
“Okay.” I nod. “What about it? We clearly have fun sleeping with each other. Spending time together this summer hasn’t been the worst thing in the world, has it?”
“No. And I can’t figure out why.”
“Going through a natural disaster is different than competing for valedictorian or an internship at the local news station. The small, petty shit is insignificant when you’re staring down a tornado.”
“When you carried me to my car, I almost forgot about the year you attacked me with silly string.”
“For your birthday,” I challenge.
“It was in my face,” she argues back, the makings of a tone that tells me she’s ready to rumble. Postsex, and she’s exactly the same as she’s always been. An absolute spitfire. “But you’re right.”
“Hang on.” I hold her hips and lift her on top of me. She squeals, palms resting on my chest, and I cup her cheeks. “Can you say that again? I want to commit it to memory.”
“And now the moment is over.”
“Truth or Dare, Monroe?”
“Haven’t we played this enough?”
“One more, then we’ll shower, eat, and I’ll shut up.”
“Fine.” Quincy flicks my ear and I grab her wrist, bringing her hand to my mouth. I keep my eyes on hers when I kiss her pulse point and drag my tongue up her arm. “Truth,” she says, voice halfway to a throaty moan.
“Are you happy?”
“That’s a loaded question. In general? With life?”
“Right now,” I say. “Right here. With me. No weather talk. No hurricanes to chase. Just us. Are you happy?”
“Yes.” She glances down at me then looks away. “And that terrifies me.”
“Why does it terrify you?”
“Because we’re not people who sit around and cuddle. Up until very recently, we never even hugged. We barely talked. But I don’t hate it, and it’s confusing.”
“How about we keep doing this until you start to hate it? A truce. Waving the white flag.” My hands move to her back, running along the line of her spine. “All’s fair in weather and war, right, Quinny baby?”
“Right.” A gentle nod. The shadow of another smile behind a quiet laugh. “Are you happy?”
I just slept with the girl I’ve had a goddamn crush on since I was sixteen. I’m on top of the fucking world.
“Yeah.” I sit up, keeping her in my lap. I kiss her forehead, my lips lingering there for longer than they should. If she notices, she doesn’t say. “I’m pretty fucking happy.”