"Smart friend," Holden says.
"I don't see you as Robert Smith," Daisy says. "No matter how many times you play Lovesong."
"Can you believe this." He releases her. Reaches over his shoulder. To his back. "This knife… you're twisting it."
"Don't even." Daisy laughs as she moves to his other side, takes his hand, slips it over her shoulders. "I'm exhausted, and I just got here. I want something easy."
"Easy and sexy?" he asks.
"The sexy ones are easy," Luna says.
"What do you like, Daise?" I ask. "What would you do if Holden wasn't in the picture?"
Holden makes a noise that can only mean bet you love that possibility, but he doesn't say anything. Just shrugs. "Besides cry into your pillow from the loneliness?"
"Could I really get past that?" She smiles.
He gives her that I love you and I'm going to make love to you look.
"Ugh, save it for later," I say.
"I have to second that," Luna says. "Although… maybe we should stop expecting otherwise." She turns to me. "Can you distract him?"
Distract Holden?
Fuck.
What can I say to the guy? Yeah, it's obvious I'm fucking Luna, so I can't really give you shit for fucking Daisy, but I'm not over it?
Is it obvious?
Does he know?
I can avoid the topic for five minutes. "You need a costume too, don't you?" I ask him.
"Uh-uh. Me and you, kid." He holds Daisy close. "Joint costume."
"You trust me?" She looks up at him. "I'll pick something you'll like."
He pulls her into a tight embrace. Thankfully, it's a fast kiss. He releases her. Motions five minutes.
Follows me to the other side of the shop. The superhero aisle. Not that either of us is in need.
He studies me. Looking for something.
Cracks maybe.
Or maybe it's friendly. Maybe I'm the asshole here.
"She's doing well," I say. "It's good to see."
He nods yeah. Motions to Luna and Daisy as they squeal over skimpy costumes. "They're the same as ever."
"Happy."
"They're good friends."
"Yeah."
"She needs that."
Fuck. He does know. Or he suspects. I'm not sure. I swallow hard. Try to ignore the implication. There's something else on my mind. And I need Holden on my side for it. "Remember that keychain you gave Daise?"
"Luctor et emergo? Of course. Gotta tempt my girl to the dark side." His eyes flit to the Latin on my forearm. He taps the spot on his chest that reads danger is sweet in Latin. Covered by his t-shirt at the moment. "I won't even show mine off."
"Latin quotes or tattoos?"
"Both." He looks to Daisy with a proud smile. "She wants it. She's just not ready."
"What if she is?"
For the first time in forever, we exchange the kind of look we used to. Like we're partners in crime. "What do you have in mind?"
"I asked my two o'clock to move. And I promised Luna I'd give her the real thing—"
"You think she'll do it if her friend is doing it?"
"Worked for you, didn't it?"
He laughs yeah, right. "You couldn't have kept me away." His gaze fixes on Daisy. "She'll probably say no. But she'll love that you offered."
Probably.
But a deal's a deal.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Luna
After we pick out the perfect couple's costume for Daisy and Holden (Hogwarts's students, from Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, respectively. Okay, so it's not a perfect costume, but options are limited here. This is solid). We pile into Holden's car.
Drive in the direction of the house.
Turn at Ocean.
Stop in front of Inked Love.
"No." In the front seat, Daisy squeezes Holden's arm.
I turn to Oliver. Raise a brow. Really?
He nods really.
Fuck, I want to touch him. To undo my seat belt, climb over the middle seat, slide into his lap.
He stares back at me, his clear blue eyes equal parts dare and demand and don't even think about it.
We can't.
Of course we can't.
No matter how much I want to.
"I don't know, Holden." Daisy's voice softens. "I'm not sure—"
"Just try the temp," he says.
She bites her lip, considering it. She wants it, but she's scared. Of the permanence, the pain, the possibility for irony.
Luctor et emergo
I struggle and I emerge
It's powerful and beautiful and tempting fate.
I guess Oliver knows that better than anyone.
But—
"It's been two weeks." My eyes fix on Oliver's. "You promised."
"Fuck, he did promise. I was there," Holden says.
Was he? I don't remember. I don't care. I don't care about anything but marking my skin forever.
Oliver marking my skin forever.
"Please." My voice drops to the tone I use when we're naked. It's too much. Too needy. Too desperate. But I don't care. "You promised."
"Oh. The Lorde lyrics." She whispers something to Holden.
He whispers back.
"No, it does not mean I also have to get a tattoo." She laughs. "But nice try."
"Just the temp. See if you like it." He leans over and kisses her.
But I barely notice. I'm too glued to Oliver. "You promised."
"Fuck, you said it three times. That's the magic number." He chuckles, but it doesn't ease the tension in the car.
It's too small a space. I want to touch him.
I need to touch him.
And kiss him.
And scream yes, every yes forever to the entire world.
"Okay." She kisses him again. "Just the temp."
Oliver turns to them. "This sounds way too familiar."
"You think I've pulled that just the tip shit?" Holden asks.
Oliver's face turns red.
Daisy reaches for the door. "Do you really want to continue this conversation?"
"Honestly, that doesn't sound like Holden," I say. "Sure, he's incorrigible."
"Is that the word of the day?" he asks.
"But he's upfront. More likely to say baby, sit on my cock." Shit. Why am I still talking?
"Oh my God." Daisy steps out of the car. Shoots me an I told you that in confidence look.
Holden laughs, proud of starting a scene, as usual. And proud of his uh… virility. "Thanks for believing in me." He steps out of the car. Goes to his girlfriend.
I shoot Ollie a sorry. "It's true."
He nods probably. "But not another word or—"
"You're blackmailing me because you'll do it? Really?"
"A promise is a promise."
I throw my arms around him. It's reflex. I can't help it.
"Luna—"
"I know. But it's… I would hug you here. Normally. And they're not."