Page 315 of Light Leech

I squeezed Naoma’s hand. “We’ll chat later, Akna.”

She laughed. “Keep us updated.”

“You, too.”

The chat ended and we exited our neurospaces.

Naoma let go of my hand and moved back an inch to look at me. Her smile was still and confident as she read me.

“How much did you hear?”

“The last little bit. Still worried this won’t work out?”

“I never said that.”

“Then why are you worried?”

“I don’t want to ruin a good thing.”

“Why do you like me?”

I let out a nervous laugh. “What do you mean?”

“We’ve talked about our instant infatuation ever since we got over the tooth thing, but I think it’s obvious that came from you adoring the girl I was, and me just…”

“Falling for the first guy who wasn’t a Finian?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“And now we’ve moved past that.”

“Sure have.” She sounded as awkward as I felt.

“Why do I like you? I love your sincerity.”

“Can’t say that was the quality I was hoping for, but it’s something.”

“No, no, of course that’s not it. I’m trying to dig deep, you know?”

“You haven’t been thinking about me enough so you have to dig?”

“No! You’re my every waking thought–” I stopped myself, not knowing if I hated how cheesy it was or if I wanted to gauge her reaction.

She smiled. There was that sincerity. I knew it was real.

“I thought I was obsessed with you before,” I said. “Your talent and beauty are a ten out of ten, but I had no idea there was so much more to you. I was like a kid trying fish for the first time, thinking canned tuna was as good as fresh sashimi. I thought you were candy, but you were sweeter–”

“Than teeth?”

I hesitated but nodded. “As bad as it might sound, yeah. I hate saying it but it is the best bliss I’ve ever felt. You’re teeth without guilt and harm to others.”

“I’ve told you the teeth don’t bother me anymore. I said teeth because I know you, Petya. I’ve been with you long enough to see who you are and I like that person so you don’t have to be worried about me leaving.”

“No, that’s not it. I’m not worried, I just… if you ever left or didn’t want any of this, I know it would be well deserved.”

“Well, I do want this. Would you be kind enough to let me have it?”

I smirked. “I guess.” I let the silence hang between us, caressing the back of her smooth hand with my calloused thumb.