Top Secret

by Sarina Bowen

“Uh-huh.” The sun is warm on my face, so I close my eyes. “I’ve never dated anyone who wanted to discuss my manual transmission before.” I realize my mistake the second I make it. “You know what I mean,” I mumble. He’s quiet for a second. “No, I do. We are heading in that direction, Keaton. I get it now.” I’m so surprised that I actually stop breathing. “No sense in me arguing the point. I just hope you know you’ve got an amateur on your hands, here. I’ll probably do everything wrong.” “I’m not worried,” I say quickly. “Really? You should be. People are going to notice how much time we spend together. What are we going to say?” “I haven’t figured that out yet,” I admit. “I’m an amateur, too. At this. Can’t we sort that part out on our own time?” “Maybe,” he concedes. “As long as there aren’t any leaks on our top-secret security team. Like Tanner grabbing your phone and opening up the wrong app…” I snort. “I have that sucker well hidden. But there will probably be a point in the future when you feel less like it matters, right? This semester ends in just a few weeks. Next year you’ll already be president…” Now I’ve done it again. I’ve assumed that we’ll be together next year. “Suppose it won’t be as big a deal,” Luke concedes. “Eventually.” We lapse into silence again, but my whole outlook has changed this weekend. All my patience has paid off. Luke Bailey acknowledges that we’re a couple? Pinch me.