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Luna shrugged. “And, nothing.” She knew neither of her friends was buying her nonchalant attitude.
“Pul-lease, woman. You have been smitten since the very first day you met him. And I, for one, have been around you and that fine man.” Chi-Chi tuned to Ellie. “I believe what we have here are two adults pretending there is no attraction. I have seen it. I havefeltit.” Chi-Chi sat back in her chair and crossed her arms. Nigerians were known for telling the truth. Except when it’s someone calling or e-mailing you telling you that your uncle wants to wire $3 million into your bank account if you would just give them all your banking information.
Luna looked over at her friend. “Are you finished?” It was a rhetorical question. Luna knew by her body language that Chi-Chi had said what she had to say and was done. Not in a mean way. She was merely punctuating her sentence with her posture.
Ellie smiled at Luna. “I have to agree with Chi-Chi. I’ve seen the two of you together. There is definitely chemistry there. So, I repeat. What is the latest?”
“We haven’t spoken since last week. He’s been busy with a case. Apparently, a child went missing from Raleigh, and there were several sightings between there and Louisville, Kentucky. He’s been working out of the Kentucky field office.” She broke apart the brioche and slathered some butter on it. She let out a big sigh. “Speaking of getting fat . . .” Luna shoved half the brioche into her mouth, hoping it would end the conversation.
“I knew there was a reason I liked you.” Ellie chuckled. “But you’re not getting off that easy. You must be very fond of him.”
“Yes. As in really-really. I feel like I’m back in high school.” Luna swallowed in a big gulp, then pouted.
“But isn’t that a wonderful feeling?” Chi-Chi’s smile was ear to ear.
“Yes, and no.” Luna licked the butter off her fingers.
“Yes, because it gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling, and no, because it scares the bejeezus out of me. I’m afraid if I make a move, as in big move, I’ll make a fool of myself.”
“I am surmising you haven’t doneityet.” Ellie went for the deep dive.
“What? No!” Luna was emphatic.
“But do youwantto?” Chi-Chi poked her with an elbow.
Luna slouched. “OK. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have fantasies about being with him. Yes, as inbeingwith him. Sometimes I think the fantasy is enough. What if we did, and I was disappointed?”
Chi-Chi and Ellie almost doubled over. “I seriously doubt he would disappoint you.” Chi-Chi grinned.
Luna looked up at her friends. “I am sure you are correct. But, what ifhedoesn’t want to?”
“He is a man,” Chi-Chi said plainly, causing everyone to howl. “And I have seen the way he looks at you. His eyes smile.”
“Do you know when you’ll see him again?” Ellie asked.
“No idea. Once the case is closed, he’ll have to make up time with his son. Plus, he’s still working on renovating his house. Plus he lives a hundred and twenty miles away.”
“Sounds like a good situation. What I mean is, it could be promising. For the future.” Ellie was trying to be reassuring. “Eventually, he’ll finish his house, and his son will be in high school with plenty of things to do.”
“And, from what I’ve noticed, in America, teenagers want little to do with family. They don’t have many rules.” Chi-Chi had been raised in a strict but loving household. Family first, which meant chores, church, school, and more chores.
“That’s true. Even Cullen and I had certain responsibilities. Then again, we didn’t have all the technology either. Twenty years ago, there wasn’t an iPhone to drain your brain, and social media was in its infancy.”
Luna thought for a minute. “Too bad it grew into the monster it is now.”
“Just like so many teenagers.” Chi-Chi laughed.
“I think you’re changing the subject.” Ellie sat up taller. “So you haven’t done the thing yet. Has he kissed you?”
Luna’s eyes went wide. “Why, Ellie Stillwell. How bold of you,” she joked.
“Answer her question.” Chi-Chi resumed the position with her arms folded, knowing the answer.
Luna was full-on blushing at this point. “Yes. And yes, it was won-der-ful. Sweet. Tender.” Her eyes glazed at the memory of the first kiss, the firstrealkiss in his truck. “But that was the second kiss. The first one was a nose-knock.” She shook her head. “You know the kind when you both go in for it and miss?”
“Do I ever!” Ellie was laughing. “That happened to me and Richard. More than once. The first time we were in a movie theater. I had a bin of popcorn in my lap. He turned sideways. I thought he was reaching for the popcorn and I leaned back. He lost his balance, and our heads banged into each other’s. Popcorn went everywhere.” Ellie smiled at the funny memory.
“Now, that’s funny.” Luna chuckled.
