Next of Kin

Content Warning: This section contains depictions of sex.

Chloe and Warren make love, and Chloe tells Warren she loves him. No one’s ever told Warren that during sex before, and Chloe starts to compare herself to his past partners. Warren kisses and reassures her she’s what he wants until Chloe can’t even think about other girls. Warren pulls her close when they finish, promising it will always be like this because “[he] plan[s] on keeping [her] forever” (233).

Chloe visits Emily and Lane at their new apartment. The night is full of laughter and teasing, including about how Chloe and Warren have had sex 12 times in a week. For the first time, Chloe feels like part of the group, not an onlooker. When she leaves, she can’t wait until their next hangout, realizing, “[T]here is no loneliness left inside me” (239).

At home, Chloe climbs into her bed with Warren, finding him naked. When Warren realizes she’s also naked, he wakes up fast, and they make love, both trying to keep quiet so they don’t wake Willow as they “finish [their] incredibly lucky number thirteen” (244).