“And yet, it is, by definition, quite popular. Anyhow, if you start to freak out at any point, you can stop or you can slow down, and you can even say ‘Hey, Levi, this is all new for me.’ ” Shola says this like we’re in health class and she’s the teacher. Which to be fair, is our usual dynamic. I always joke that Shola seems to be perpetually twenty-five—still young enough to be fun and spontaneous, and yet mature enough to have seen some stuff.

“Honestly, I’m more worried about the opposite. What if I, like, attack him?” I asked.

“Different strokes for different folks, I guess,” she said.

“No pun intended.”

“Your dad is way hotter,” she said.

Levi and I are sitting on the oversized leather couch in the screening room scrolling through our movie choices. He lands on the new romantic comedy about a workaholic woman who doesn’t have time for love. I don’t mention that I’ve already read the script since my mom was up for the role of the mean boss, and it’s terrible. She lost out to the blond lady from Desperate Housewives, the cool, harried-looking one married to the shaggy guy from Shameless.

Doesn’t matter. I assume we won’t do much watching anyway.

—

Two hours later, we’re horizontal on the couch, the popcorn long since kicked over and likely hoovered up by Fluffernutter. We’ve been kissing, long, tender kisses, and short, brutal ones, and Levi’s hands are everywhere. My lips feel puffy and sore and I think, So this is what our mouths are for. I wonder if he’s left a mark on my neck and decide I kind of hope so; this is a night I’d like to remember. My fingers explore his chest. I think maybe growing up has its perks.

“Movie’s over,” Levi mumbles into my ear as his hand spans my stomach, and it sears my skin like a brand. “Fine film.”

“The best ever. Should win all the Oscars.” My head arches back as I feel his breath on my neck. This is the feeling we should bottle into a taste and turn into a taco.

“Oh, I know this movie,” a voice says. The lights come on. Too bright and too sudden and Levi and I scramble upright. I’m grateful, suddenly, in a way I wasn’t mere moments ago, that we are both still fully dressed. “Director said they wanted to go ‘in a different direction.’ I mean, I don’t get the appeal, personally.”

“Mom!” I say, and feel my face flush a deep red.