“I don’t want to have sex tonight,” she blurts out.

I pull my hand back. “Okay…”

“Sorry.” She picks at her fingernail polish. Glances at me through her lashes.

My hand finds her knee again. “It’s totally okay. Of course it’s okay.” It’s not like we have sex every time we hang out. But there’s not usually a pronouncement about it. “I mean, are you okay?”

“Yeah. It’s just … I don’t want to bother my roommate tonight.”

“Oh.” It’s a little weird, I guess. Thin walls and all. I try not to think about it. It’s easier at my place, because my sister is so often out.

Kimberly leans toward me. I pull her close and we lean against the pillows. She lets her arm drape across me and leans her cheek against my chest. I become big in this moment, holding her under my wing and protecting her. The more gently I hold her, the more manly I feel, which seems odd. There are all these ways I’m supposed to be tough in the world, and yet this is the only place I feel strong.

“You said there was something you wanted to talk about,” she says.

The settled feeling dissipates as all the questions ahead float back to me. “Yeah, I’ve got good news. Huge news.”

“What?”

Deep breath. “Reverend Sloan offered me a job.”

“A job?” Kimberly sits up, looking at me.

“In his congressional offices. In DC. When I graduate.”

“Wow. That’s amazing.” She sounds somewhat less than amazed. “You must have really impressed him.”

“I guess. I mean, I told him I couldn’t have done it without you, of course.” I kiss her shoulder.

Kimberly folds her arms beneath her breasts and hunches forward. “What, um, what kind of job is it?”

“I’d still be organizing, but on the national level.” My fingers trail her spine. She’s pulling away from me and I don’t know what to do.

“Wow, Zeke, that’s … I mean, you’ve been worried about what will happen when you graduate.” She scoots her body a bit, turning toward me. I can’t reach her now, but at least she’s looking at me. “It’s kind of perfect.”

“I know. I was shocked when he first told me.”

“When he first told you?”

“He mentioned it when he was here.”

Kimberly folds her arms around her knees. “So … all this happened last week? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Um…” I’ve hurt her. Shouldn’t have let that detail slip.

“I didn’t tell you right away because I barely believed it myself.” The email is already on-screen when I open my tablet. “Not until I got this.”

Kimberly barely glances at the senator’s formal employment offer. “So, you’re leaving?”

“Thinking about it, yeah.”

She goes quiet.

“It’s an incredible opportunity. I mean, I can’t turn it down.” There’s more to say, but I don’t know how to say it.

Kimberly shakes her head. “Of course. Of course. It’s amazing.” Her voice is soft but strong.