Page 52 of To Love the Stars too Fondly

“Yes, please. For good measure.”

“I’ll take care of it.” When she pulled back, her gaze was a distant storm. “I swear it. You’re safe with me.”

My blush burned bright. I recalled, then, that I was holding a bouquet. “I’ll be right back.”

I was suddenly starkly aware of the dirty dishes in the kitchen next door, the couches older than my mother, and the obviously handmade wall décor. Between that and the faint cigarette smoke from the neighbors next door, I moved a bit swifter. I riffled through the cupboards, knowing there was a vase somewhere, but Mom wasn’t home to ask.

In a panic, I finally settled on a clean pitcher from the dishwasher. Thankfully, I was out of view, so I dumped in the plant food, filled it with water, and set the makeshift vase aside where Alex wouldn’t see it.

When I returned, Alex waited politely near the door, studying the photos on the wall. “You look like your mom.”

“We get asked a lot if we’re sisters.”

My heart sank to follow the line of her finger, to a rollercoaster photo op from Disneyland. I screamed coming down a drop, and there was El, holding tight to my hand as she laughed. Our last trip before college had started. Mom wouldn’t let me take it down.

But although Alex’s focus lingered a few seconds more, she said nothing of it, instead pulling something from out of her jacket. “I got you something.”

She offered me a sizeable jewelry box, wrapped in a ribbon. I accepted it with shaky hands, uncertain of what to make of it as I tugged the wrapping.

“You mentioned that you loved astronomy,” Alex continued, a bit sheepish, and when I opened the lid, my hand flew to my mouth.

A gorgeous necklace glittered against the natural light from the window, the gems delicate and arranged artfully into a constellation I knew well: monoceros. Those who didn’t know it would see an eclectic but tasteful span of pink topaz strung together with minuscule diamonds, but I would recognize it anywhere, my favorite assembly of stars.

With utmost apprehension, I brought myself to finally touch it. “I can’t accept this. This…it must’ve cost more than my rent.”

“Add a zero. Maybe two,” Alex replied smoothly, nonchalant as she added, “but you can pawn it if you hate it.”

“I definitely don’t hate it.” I lifted the necklace from the padded display, breathless as Alex gently plucked it from my hands.

“Let me.” Her hands came around my neck, where she latched the necklace. Sparks flew where she brushed against my skin, positioning the necklace just so at the dip between my collarbones. “Perfect.”

She held up her phone camera, my own startled image looking back. It was stunning, large enough to span the entire space between my breasts. Around my neck, it turned both me and my cheap dress into works of art.

“I-I don’t even know what to say,” I managed. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She matched my gaze, fervent as she added, “I know today was stressful. I just wanted to see you smile.”

I certainly couldn’t help myself, my cheeks beginning to ache from my smile’s span.

Alex offered a hand. “Ready?”

It felt so natural to hold her hand, so right. Once outside, she held up her other to block her face, presumably from the sun, but all her previous confidence faded. She shifted oddly, glancing back and forth like a child trying to cross a busy street.

“Hey,” I said, though I tried to keep it light. “No one’s watching us. It’s okay.”

Her nervous smile remained. “Caught me.”

I coaxed her to stop. “There are no cameras at my shitty apartment, I promise.”

Her exhale slumped her shoulders, her stress apparent but perhaps fading slightly. She paused, looking me up and down in the sunset’s light. “You’re stunning. Brilliant. A face to launch a thousand ships.”

“Just say I’m pretty,” I teased, but she brought me close, my breath catching at the proximity of her lips.

“Gorgeous,” she crooned, and I grinned as she sealed our lips together, her kiss shameless and leaving me floating.

She brought me to the vehicle, where the door opened on its own accord. She helped me in, even gathered my skirt for me, and off we went.

She took back my hand once we were on the road. I couldn’t imagine letting go.