I can't help smiling as I watch Luna sort through the puzzle pieces on my living room floor, her brow furrowed in concentration.

It's become our thing lately – finding different ways to spend time together after school.

Sometimes we do face masks and watch bad reality TV, other times we battle it out over board games; though I've learned to never challenge her to Scrabble again, but today it's this thousand-piece puzzle of Van Gogh's Starry Night.

"You're doing it wrong," I tease, reaching over to steal a blue piece from her pile. "You're supposed to start with the edges."

She sticks her tongue out at me. "Says who? Maybe I like chaos more."

"You're an artist. You literally organize your highlighters by shade."

"That's... different." But she's laughing, and the sound fills my chest with warmth.

These moments feel precious – watching her relax in my space, seeing her walls come down bit by bit. I never thought I would ever see this side of her again after the stupid dare secret exploded.

I know it hasn't been easy for her. It will take so much more than this for things to get back to normal.

I see the way she sometimes hesitates before taking my hand in public, how she gets quiet when we talk about the future, like she is scared if she plans too much, she might jinx this and it might end up like it were before.

But we're learning each other's rhythms, finding our way through the uncertain parts together. When she needs space, I give it to her without question.

When she needs me closer, I'm there without hesitation.

The front door opens, and I feel Luna stiffen beside me. Dad's home early and I've been telling her how much I would like them to meet.

She's been hesitant and I understand why. Dad can be uptight in more ways than one but when I ran it by him, he said he would love to meet the person who has kept her daughter distracted.

"It's okay," I whisper, squeezing her hand like it will slow down her hyperventilation. "He's going to love you."

"Are you sure? Oh my god, can I jump off a window?"

I roll my eyes and place a kiss on her cheek. "Not an option."

"In here, Dad!" I call out, trying to keep my voice light despite the sudden flutter of nerves in my stomach.

This matters – Luna meeting my father properly. It matters so much to me.

Dad appears in the doorway, still in his suit, his face set in what I call his 'business mode'.

I see Luna swallow hard beside me.

"Hello," he says, and I recognize his attempt at softening his voice. It's not entirely successful but it's something.

"Hello, Mr. Hayes," Luna bubbles.

"You must be Lucy?"

"Luna," I am the one who corrects and this feels funny somehow because I also did the same thing months ago when I first spoke to Luna.

"Right. I've been hoping to properly meet the person Naomi talks about so much."

I feel my cheeks heat up. "Dad..."

But Luna's already sitting straighter, smoothing her shirt with slightly trembling hands.

"It's nice to meet you too, sir."

Dad settles into his armchair, and I know what's coming. Dad doesn't do small talk – he goes straight for what he considers important.

"I understand you're in your final year next semester? What are your plans for college?"

I slip my hand behind Luna's back, soothing her gently.

"I'm thinking of applying to pre-med programs," she says, her voice steadier now. "University of Washington is my top choice, but I'm also looking at Stanford and Johns Hopkins."

That response sounds practiced and I know it is. Luna wants nothing to do with 'med' she likes photography and that's her jam.

But I understand, if I were her, I would feel the need to please him too. I just don't want her to lie because of that.

Dad's eyebrows lift slightly – I recognize it as his impressed face, though I doubt Luna can tell the difference.

"Pre-med? That's a challenging path. What area interests you?"

I'm the one sweating even when Luna is talking smoothly about her passion for pediatrics.

I watch my father's face. I know all his tells: the slight forward lean when he's genuinely interested, the barely perceptible nod when he approves. Both are happening now, and relief floods through me.

I wonder how she is lying this good but it's both our benefits. Dad won't let me date a person who doesn't have a goal for the next five years or whatever.

This, whatever this is Luna is selling is top tier.

The questions continue – her current grades, her volunteering experience if any, her family background. It feels like a cross-examination, but Luna holds her own.

She even manages to make Dad almost-smile when she mentions tutoring freshman biology students next semester.

When he finally excuses himself to his study, Luna practically melts against me.

"Was that... okay?" she whispers. "I couldn't read him at all. He's so..."

"Intense?" I laugh, pulling her closer. "That was more than okay. He asked follow-up questions – he never does that unless he's impressed. And did you catch that almost-smile? From my dad, that's basically jumping for joy. Also, I didn't know you were considering Pre-med."

Luna hesitates. "I am."

Liar, but I don't call her on it.  It doesn't matter, a year or two from now, our plans will be different, even better.

She relaxes into me, and we turn back to our puzzle. The edge pieces are starting to form a frame now, creating boundaries for the chaos of colors within.

It feels like us – slowly building something together, piece by piece, finding where everything fits.

"Your dad really loves you," Luna says quietly, fitting two pieces together with a satisfying click. "I mean, it's kind of terrifying how serious he is, but... it's nice. How much he cares about who you're with."

"Glad you feel that way. I'm suffocating half the time." I say softly. " But you make me happy."

She turns to me. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." I lean in until our foreheads touch. "Really, really happy."

I place a kiss on her lips, soft and subtle. When we pull apart, Luna's wearing that smile – the one that reaches her eyes and makes my heart skip.

"You're funny."

I'm smile. "I know."