the Oliver and I are fucking thing.
Or maybe he's doing it because he's Holden.
Either way, it works.
I mouth thanks to the trouble making tattoo artist. Turn to my best friend.
"What were we… your hair. It really does suit you." She smiles. "I cut mine a little." She motions to her wavy blond locks. They're still long, but now they fall at her shoulders, instead of halfway down her back. "You like?"
"You look grown-up." It's overwhelming. Daisy is the sister I never had. She's sweet and well-meaning and incredibly easy to hurt. I'm protective of her.
So seeing her bloom—
I blink back a tear.
"Oh my God, Luna, don't. Or I won't stop." She squeezes me again. "Come on, Ollie made coffee."
"You look so grown-up."
"I do not." She leads me to the table. To the spot next to Oliver.
"You do, baby." Holden leans in to kiss her.
"Why?" Daisy's voice fills with curiosity. "I'm the same."
"No." He shakes his head. "You're carrying yourself differently. With more confidence. And this—" He runs his fingers over the hem of her dress.
Oliver practically growls.
Holden turns to him. Shoots him a really look. "Down boy."
"You really want to say that to him?" Daisy asks.
Oh—
Ew. I clear my throat.
Holden chuckles. "Okay. No funny business at the table. I don't like those rules." He kisses Daisy again. "But I can live with them."
"Can you?" Oliver asks.
Daisy mouths sorry. "It's surprising, actually." She smiles. "I got to his place at six a.m. Woke him up. And then—"
"Fuck, no details," Oliver says.
She blushes. "I'm just… surprised you have so much energy." Her eyes fill with affection as she looks at her boyfriend.
"For you? Always." He pulls her into another soft kiss.
Yeah, it's adorable. They're in love. I'm happy for them.
Just maybe… "Save it for later."
Her blush deepens. "I better keep him busy." She squeezes his hand. "Make me a chai? Pretty please."
He nods sure. Kisses her again. Like he's making a show of it.
Maybe he is. It's not like either one of us can object.
Even so, I thank some higher power when Holden finally moves to the kitchen.
"She's right," Oliver says. "You look grown-up."
"Why?" Her hand goes to her heart. "My hair is four inches shorter and I'm wearing a sweater dress. It was cold this morning."
"It's one of those things." His expression fills with pride. "Obvious but impossible to explain."
"A good thing?" she asks.
He nods yeah.
"Okay, I'll accept it. But stop bringing it up." She looks to me. "And, I guess Luna hasn't been a guest for a long time. And she's definitely not a guest now. But why is she without a mug of coffee when yours is full?"
"I'm a bad host?" he asks.
"A bad roomie, I guess." She looks to me. "Is he?"
"Only if you mind listening to Smells Like Teen Spirit fifteen times a day," I say.
His hand brushes my lower back as he stands.
"Only fifteen?" Holden chuckles. "He's losing his touch."
Oliver grabs a mug from the top shelf, fills it to the brim, drops it at the table. "Black?"
"Of course." I wrap my hands around the ceramic. "Thanks."
"Don't thank me. You asked for this." He pulls out his cell. Taps the screen a few times.
And bam—Smells Like Teen Spirit fills the room.
"No. It hurts." Holden clutches his stomach. Doubles over like he's suffering a fatal dose of poison. "Anything but this."
Daisy giggles.
I shake my head. "Truly, cruel and unusual punishment."
"This is one of the most popular songs of all time," Oliver says.
"For psychological torture," Holden says.
"Please. You listen to KROQ," Oliver says.
"It's this, the Foo Fighters, and Red Hot Chili Peppers," Daisy agrees.
"And it's torture." Holden holds his hands over his ears. Makes an expression of mock pain.
"Is this really better?" Oliver taps the screen a few times and the room fills with The Cure. Lovesong.
"Thank god." Holden falls to the ground in a show of relief. "The torment is finally over."
Daisy's laugh gets louder.
Oliver looks to me. You believe this shit?
"They could work on their routine," I say. "It's a little obvious."
"Excuse you?" Holden jumps—actually jumps—to his feet. He raises a brow in mock outrage. "You're calling my material stale?"
"Very stale," Oliver agrees.
Holden looks to Daisy. "Baby, say it ain't so."
"I love it." She blows him a kiss.
He catches it. Presses it to his heart. Shoots me a glance I can't begin to understand.
It's something about me and Oliver. Being hypocrites? Needing to keep this a secret?
Doing a good job playing along?
I haven't got a clue.
But, god, it feels good seeing them. Even Holden. He's actually…