Something peculiar had taken hold of my face. It was as though the nerves in my mimic muscles had been electrified, locking the corners of my lips into a constant smile. It wasn’t painful just oddly foreign. And yet, every time Gosto’s eyes found mine, that smile stretched wider, more eagerly, as if it had a will of its own. I must’ve looked ridiculous. But I didn’t care. The way he made me feel eclipsed every shred of awkwardness.

We didn’t cross any indecent lines. Gosto simply ...