Page 100 of Light Leech

“Right.”

“We both jumped into love on sight after she overcame the tooth thing, but I think she was still coming out of the Reef daze. We’re taking our time to get to know each other as friends, but it’s naturally moving quickly back to infatuation.”

“Is that too fast for you?”

“No, I just worry about her. I don’t want to zeg it up.”

“I’m sure it’ll all work out. You’re a great guy, Pet. We all love you.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m good enough for her.”

“Then talk with her about it.”

“Yeah, talk with me,” Naoma said.

My heart dropped as I realized Kuni had left their chat and was now occupied with something in the back of the room, which merged our chats.

I squeezed Naoma’s hand. “We’ll chat later, Akna.”

She laughed. “Keep us updated.”

“You, too.”

The chat ended and we exited our neurospaces.

Naoma let go of my hand and moved back an inch to look at me. Her smile was still and confident as she read me.

“How much did you hear?”

“The last little bit. Still worried this won’t work out?”

“I never said that.”

“Then why are you worried?”

“I don’t want to ruin a good thing.”

“Why do you like me?”

I let out a nervous laugh. “What do you mean?”

“We’ve talked about our instant infatuation ever since we got over the tooth thing, but I think it’s obvious that came from you adoring the girl I was, and me just…”

“Falling for the first guy who wasn’t a Finian?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“And now we’ve moved past that.”

“Sure have.” She sounded as awkward as I felt.

“Why do I like you? I love your sincerity.”

“Can’t say that was the quality I was hoping for, but it’s something.”

“No, no, of course that’s not it. I’m trying to dig deep, you know?”

“You haven’t been thinking about me enough so you have to dig?”