Page 49 of Moonflower
This time, she doesn’t go on.
“If what?” I nudge her, gently enough it won’t disturb Ezra.
“I mean—the three of us, we’re together. So hopefully we’ll live together after graduation, right?” She looks up at me questioningly.
“I’d like that.”
“It’d keep living expenses down,” she says. “Which would be helpful for all of us. And that way if you end up having to find something else, you could rely on us for a little while.”
“That’s true.” I hadn’t thought of that. Why would I? The three of us being together is so new.
“And the thing is, it is working right now,” Cora says. “So why give up on it just because it could fall through? Anything could fall through.”
Except us. I’ll make damn sure of that.
“That’s a good point,” I mutter.
“I just want you to be happy,” she says. Then she glances at Ezra. “Both of you.”
“We want you to be happy, Cora.” My lips feather across her temple. You deserve so much more than you’ve let yourself have.
She doesn’t respond, still gazing at Ezra. His features are relaxed, and for once he doesn’t look like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
I snake an arm around Cora, and my heart overflows when she relaxes into me. It’s been a long time since the three of us sat around together, and I’ve missed it so much. Having her body pressed against mine is a feeling that’ll never get old.
“This is gonna work, right?” she asks quietly. “Us.”
“It’s worked for years. Until it didn’t.”
She winces, and I realize too late how bitter I sounded.
Even while she was pushing us away, I knew she cared. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt like hell. The three of us need each other. And without Cora, both Ezra and I were a little lost.
We have her now, though.
“Sorry,” I mutter.
“No, you’re right. I fucked things up horribly. You and Ez are the two people I care about most, and I let myself fade from your lives. All because I was scared. I know you guys said I don’t have to keep saying it, but Wild, I’m s-”
“Don’t.”
But she shakes her head. “I hurt you for years. Years. That pain isn’t going to disappear overnight. It wasn’t fair of me to do. Especially without any explanation.”
“I don’t care.” I stroke her cheek. “You’re all I’ve wanted for so long, Cora. You aren’t the only one who didn’t speak up.”
“But I’m the only one who shoved you away,” she whispers.
“Doesn’t matter. We shouldn’t’ve let you do it for so long. I don’t know why it took me so long to do this in the first place. But it’ll never happen again. I told you, Moonflower. You run, I’ll chase. You hide, I’ll find you. You leave, I’ll drag you back.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I promise, Wild.”
“Good,” I murmur, leaning in and kissing her. “Now tell me how you’ve been. I want details.”
The lights from the movie bounce off her skin as she tries to formulate an answer. Eventually, she releases a long breath. “I’ve been pretty miserable.”
“Yeah. I know.”
She snuggles into me more. “School is fine. A bit overwhelming, I suppose. Having Brooke, Liling, and Imani has been nice. I click really well with them. It’s not the same as being with you and Ez, though. Emotionally, I’ve been . . . okay, I guess.”