I never thought about it before, but I don’t have any chairs in my room. Which is decidedly awkward at this very moment and also convenient.

I clear my throat. “So, here’s my room.”

Micah’s voice is a little strangled when he says, “It’s nice.”

“I have to pee. So…” I gesture to the bed. “Um. Be right back.”

I make a beeline for the bathroom and turn on the water full blast, staring at my reflection. My eyes are wild and wide, my skin is whiter than white except where bright pink has infused my cheeks, and I can almost see my pulse throbbing in my neck. I shake myself and use the bathroom before washing my hands extra well. I splash cool water on my face, over and over, and dab it dry. I smooth on some ChapStick, my image blushing even more furiously when I remember why my lips are so dry.

“Be brave,” I whisper to my reflection, and open the door. Micah is sitting on my bed and looks ready to bolt, but he’s taken off his shoes and suit jacket. So maybe not.

I slip out of my shoes and move to sit by him, curling my feet under me. He’s holding a framed picture.

“Vada?” His voice is low. James’s room is on the opposite side of the house, so I doubt he can hear, but it still feels a little like sneaking.

I nod, pointing. “That’s Vada. And next to her is her boyfriend, Luke. Me, obviously. And behind us are CullenandZack.” I say, running their names together in a singsong way. “Cullen and Luke are twins.”

“Those are the wings you were talking about?”

“Yep. I have a whole collection back in Ann Arbor.”

Micah traces them with his finger and looks to me. “I like your new ones better.”

I trail my finger along his forearm where his compass is hidden beneath his shirt. “Me, too.”

He puts the frame back on my nightstand and rubs his hands down his thighs like he’s waiting. For me. Always. I take his face in my hands, scooting closer, and he sucks in a breath. I skim my fingertips over his eyebrows, smoothing them and drawing them along his cheekbones down to his lips. I trace his lower lip with the pad of my thumb and follow it with my lips. At first, I’m tender, pacing myself and holding back against the wall of hormones surging inside of me.

He returns my kiss, careful to keep his hands on his legs, but I’ve already tasted this man, and I don’t want to be in this alone, so without second-guessing myself, I draw one knee over his lap until I’m straddling him.