When Constellations Form (Light in the Dark 4)

I grab my laptop and bring it over to the floor. I bring up Netflix and the last episode of Arrow that we watched.

“Now this will be much more fun,” I tell him.

As the show plays we work together to pack the last of our clothes—because I’m a shopaholic it takes quite a while. By the time we finish, it’s late and I’m ready to fall over.

Xander carries the boxes over to the door, and I stretch out on the floor staring at the ceiling.

Once all the boxes are moved, he towers over me, fighting a smile.

“What’cha doin’ down there?” he asks with a slight smirk, his full lips tilting on one corner.

“Too. Tired. To. Move,” I rasp in a voice like I’m dehydrated then reach out with weak fingers.

He laughs and hauls me up. “Cute, Kincaid.” He kisses my forehead.

I might never get used to him calling me Kincaid. In fact, I hope I never do because I love the fluttery feeling of butterflies I get in my stomach. When we first got married I didn’t have that feeling, I was terrified since it was such a spur of the moment thing, but now I love it.

Xander turns back the covers and climbs beneath them.

I join him and roll to my side. A moment later, his arm wraps around me, and I smile as he burrows his head into the crook of my neck.

“I love you.” He kisses the edge of my jaw.

“I love you too,” I say back.

I th

ought I’d be too keyed up to fall asleep, but my eyes grow heavy and sleep claims me.

Thea

I shower, curl my hair, and carefully apply my makeup before getting dressed.

I assess myself in the bathroom mirror, since my floor-length mirror is currently bubble-wrapped for the move. The dress fits me well, it’s a flattering cut, and ends just above my knees.

I inhale a deep breath. In a couple of hours, I’m going to be graduating. I’ll no longer be a college student. Classes, homework, and exams have consumed my life for four long years, and even though I’m beyond happy to be done, I feel a little lost. What do I do now?

The obvious answer is get a job, but that’s easier said than done.

“Hey, you ready?” Xander asks, poking his head into the bathroom.

My stomach dips when I see him because he looks too hot for his own good. The boy knows how to wear a dress shirt. The white material clings to his defined arms and chest.

“We need to go,” he continues, fiddling with his watch.

I look at the time and curse. He’s right, we do need to go since the four of us are supposed to meet Jace and Nova for breakfast before graduation.

“Yeah, I’m ready,” I say, forcing a smile.

I am ready, technically, in the sense that I’m dressed and my hair and makeup’s done. But my mind? That’s definitely not ready for today.

I don’t remember being this nervous at my high school graduation.

I smooth my hands down my dress and then flick off the bathroom light before I follow Xander out of the room and to the car.

Rae and Cade are already in his Jeep, and we join them instead of going in separate cars.

“Hey, look at you, no longer looking homeless,” I comment, buckling my seatbelt.