He burst into nervous laughter. “You’re kidding, right?” Catching the look on my face, he said in a low, serious voice, “Okay, you’re not kidding.”

“The night’s not over yet, Levi Keller,” I said.

By the time we mastered the art of winding a staircase around the outside of a tower, we were working in unison. Words had given way to perfect bodily synchrony. He knew what tool I wanted without my having to ask for it, and I evened out his trouble spots before he could get frustrated.

By the end of the lesson we had lapsed into complete silence. Exhausted, we lay back on the sand and watched the coral-strewn sun deepen into tangerine. I turned to glance at Levi. His eyelashes were tipped in gold, face sun-speckled and bronzed. He sensed my eyes on him and tilted his head, lips curving into a sensual, lazy smile.

I gave in to temptation and leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. Feeling a little playful, I nipped at the fullness of his lower lip. He leaned into the kiss, hands tangling in my hair, and pulled me onto his chest. He deepened the kiss, sliding his hands to my hips.

Warmth settled in my soul and I wanted it to stay there forever. By the time the stars came, I had realized one very crucial thing: Levi was my shooting star. Blistering and bright and riveting, he split the sky into two things. A before and an after.

In the course of our silent camaraderie, I’d wound up with my legs splayed at a right angle to his body, my head resting on his chest. One of his hands played with my hair. I reveled in the gentle massage.

“The residency will be over soon,” he said, and I could hear the truth of the statement coming deep from his chest, right where the heart lived.

“I wish you didn’t have to go so soon.” My admission was quiet and I was glad he couldn’t see me. I felt his fingers still in my hair. He didn’t say anything, and I wasn’t sure if I was grateful for that or not.

“Maybe I don’t have to,” he said, eyes closed, but the ghost of a smile on his lips. “I’m glad we became friends.”

“Me too.” I curled up at his side.

“What about you?” he asked. “What are your plans after this summer?”