Page 22 of The Pacifist
We laughed together and a minute later I pointed out the window. “Do you see that stadium over there? That’s where my sister and Hunter play soccer.”
“Can we see a game?”
“The season is over. You’ll have to come back again.”
Mila’s face was close to the window, looking down. “I haven’t seen Hunter for months. Are they still happy together?”
“Very. It’s funny with him and my sister because they’re so different but maybe that’s what makes it work between them.”
Mila turned and looked at me. “That’s what my mom says about my future husband. I shouldn’t be afraid of someone who is my opposite.”
My smile vanished because the thought of Mila marrying always came with the realization that I would lose my best friend.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s not true. I can read your body language, Jonah. Was it because I used the word afraid?” Mila exhaled noisily and began fiddling with her wristband – a sure sign she was nervous. “It’s not that I’m scared in general, but there’s one part about marriage that scares me.”
“Being told what to do and what to think?”
She rubbed her nose with the back of her hand. “That too, I guess, but mostly I worry about the wedding night.”
That made me sit up straight. “Why? What happens on the wedding night?”
Mila angled her head. “You know what happens.”
“Are you talking about the consummation?”
“Yes. I know it’s part of marriage, but sometimes when I’m close to a Huntsman, I feel so tiny compared to them. I lean my head back to meet their eyes and to be honest, I wonder if…”
“If what?”
“If it’ll work.”
“It won’t!” My answer came fast.
Mila gaped. “But Willow is with Solo and he’s seven feet tall. They seem very happy and they have Nora, so they must have… you know, consummated their marriage.”
“Willow is taller than you.”
“That’s true, but I’ve seen women my size with large men.”
I turned down the heat. “It’s very hot in here, isn’t it?”
“It’s not just the consummation itself. It’s the kissing too. I’ve never kissed a man, or a boy for that matter.”
“Never?”
“No.” Mila looked thoughtful. “The boys at my school were afraid to come too close to me because of my dad. Now I wonder if I’ll be bad at it.”
“How hard can it be?” I pulled off my sweater, leaving only my t-shirt. “And besides, you don’t have to impress him. Nmen look at you like you’re a piece of strawberry pie.”
That made Mila grin.
“It’s not funny,” I said. “It gives me the creeps how they eat you up with their eyes when you’re not looking.”
“Did you ever kiss a woman, Jonah?”
