Next to You

by Hannah Bonam-Young

unison. “Wait. Then how did he know?” I giggle, looking up at him. “Your victory dance.” Without a word, Matt takes his arm off my shoulders and begins walking in the opposite direction, across the parking lot. “Where are you going?” I call after him. “Looking for a hole to crawl into.” He kicks at the gravel under his feet, committing to the bit. “It was fun while it lasted, but I’m going to go die now.” “It was endearing!” I walk over to him and grab his arm with both hands, pulling him back towards the office and our things. “I’ve lost any edge of cool I might have had.” “We’ve been friends for too long for me to think you’re cool, babe.” “I guess I wasn’t going to be able to keep that up anyway.” He opens the door for us, and we grab our gear before going back to his car. “You’re funny, handsome, and probably good in bed… so”—I tilt my head back and forth—“cool is overrated.” “Probably?” He scoffs, clutching his chest as I bend into the front seat. “Probably?” he asks again, turning the ignition. “That’s what you took from that?” “Probably?” he asks again, voice pitching up. I roll my eyes. “Fine—you’re a fantastic lover, Matt. Happy now? But technically, we haven’t been in bed…” “That can be arranged.” He tilts his head, wearing a mischievous smirk.