“Oh, absolutely. But it’ll be the good kind of sore.” I smile. “Today was the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”
He holds my gaze. “Me too.”
The breeze picks up a little and I pull my knees closer to myself, wrapping my arms around them. Our empty wrappers flutter slightly in the wind. I’m full, sun-tired, and completely content.
Lucas glances at me. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
I nod, standing up and brushing the grass off my ass. “That’d be nice.”
We walk side by side, along the footpath. The lights from the shopfronts across the street flicker on as the sun dips below the horizon, casting long golden shadows across the pavement. I can feel the warmth of him next to me.
As we reach my car, he hesitates, looking down at me. “Thanks for joining me today. It was fun.”
“It really was.”
He smiles, quiet for a second. Then his hand brushes my lower back, light and easy. Just a touch. “You looked really good out there.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, but I don’t look away. “So did you.”
He chuckles softly, and that sound makes something tug in my chest.
“Race you home?” I tease, nudging his arm.
He laughs. “Oh, you’re on.”
We both climb into our cars and take off.
He pulls into the driveway just ahead of me and shoots me a smug grin in the rearview mirror. I shake my head, laughing as I gather my things and head inside.
We both pause in the hallway to my room.
“Goodnight, Angel,” he says, voice a little softer now. “This arvo was… really fun.”
“It was. Goodnight, Luc.”
For a moment, it feels like we might say more. But we don’t. We just stand there, smiling at each other, that quiet energy humming between us.
I close my door behind me and lean against it, heart full.
27
Burnt out
Bzzz bzzz bzzz bzzz.
I roll over and quickly turn off my phone alarm, rubbing my eyes as I take in my room. I drag my hands over my face, trying to wake myself up, then slide them across the lilac sheets I bought this week. They’re covered in cute little bows, and I’m obsessed. I haven’t bought much for myself since moving in, but I really wanted something to make the room feel more likeme.
Gizmo stirs beside me, stretching her little body out.
It’s been almost three weeks since I moved in with the guys. I have the weekend off, but the boys are working, they said something abouta house settlement due next week, so they’ve been pulling long hours all week. I’m supposed to meet Dani for a Pilates session at the gym. Unfortunately, it’s an early session because Dani is an unapologetic morning person. I’m not sure if it’s the van she lives in that lets in all the light, or if she’s just naturally sunny. Either way, I am not a morning person. But here I am, 5 a.m. on my day off, waking up to an alarm for my friend.
I literally roll out of bed and stumble to the shower. Afterward, I throw on black tights and a crop top, pull my hair into a ponytail, and skip the makeup. Not today.
I head out of my room, expecting the boys to be gone like they sometimes are at this hour, but I’m surprised to find Lucas still at the kitchen counter, a steaming mug of coffee beside him and his arms crossed underneath his head. I sneak up on him.
“Whatcha doin’?” I say softly.
He startles and looks up. He looks awful. Still gorgeous, obviously, but he’s pale, clammy, and with red-rimmed eyes.
