I should have fought harder. Damien sat at that table across from us, going over the details of Luca’s parents’ estate, eyes greedily taking Luca in, and I didn’t say a word. I was grieving too. Marjorie and Ronald were like a second set of parents to me too, but that’s no excuse. I should have spoken up. I should have worked harder to convince him.
“I’m sorry.”
Luca laughs. “Why are you sorry? You’ve never hit me.”
No, and I never, ever would. Not even with a gun to my head. “No, but I shouldn’t have left you there.”
Luca squeezes my hand, then pulls his away from mine. “There’s nothing you could have said or done to convince me to leave with you. That city was the last place I had my parents. I wouldn’t have left without being hogtied.”
“That could have been arranged.”
“Look, you can’t blame yourself,” Luca says, not taking the bait of my joke.
“What makes you think I am?”
“I know you. You’re lying there overanalyzing. Wondering if you could have made me leave, spared me the pain, and changed the outcome. You couldn’t have. I was stubborn. I was determined to stay where I was, and Damien was determined to win me over.” Well, shit. He’s got a point, I guess. For as much as I know about him, he knows just as much about me. “Can I ask you a favor?”
I nod. “Anything.”
“Do you think we could cuddle tonight?” Even in the dim lighting, Luca’s face nearly glows with his blush. “I just think I need a little… closeness, and you’re basically the only person in the world I trust right now.”
His words hit me square in the chest, making my heart thump heavily. “Anytime, Luca.”
He rolls to his side, facing away from me. Before he has time to get settled fully, I snake an arm around his waist and splay my fingers wide over his stomach, then haul him back to me.
His body aligns perfectly with mine, the curve of his ass the perfect complement to my hips, his back pressed firmly against my chest, and his thighs flush with mine.
I slide my arm under his pillow, letting his head rest over it, and hold him. It doesn’t take long for him to fall asleep, his musclesrelaxing one by one and his diaphragm rising and falling evenly under my palm.
It takes much longer for me to fall asleep with the heat of his body pressed to mine—both new and familiar all at once. Comfortingandconfusing. I focus on his breathing, trying to keep my mind from spinning out of control with all the changes happening in my heart as my best friend in the entire world sleeps soundly in my arms.
Chapter 16
Luca
“Idon’tknowwhyyou won’t just move into my bedroom.”
I narrow my eyes at Austin in the mirror as I try to rush through getting ready. I woke up later than I wanted to, which is fine, but I’m truly enjoying working at the diner, and I don’t want to be late. Not that I think Deb would really care too much. “I already told you about seven times. I don’t want to take over your room.”
“Luc.” Austin shakes his head with a chuckle. “I don’t know if you realize this, but you’d save us both a lot of trouble if you’d just come lie down with me instead of waiting until I’m already in bed and begging at the door.”
“I’m not begging at the door.” Okay, I am. But it’s safe in there. In the bedroom, away from the front door, but also in Austin’sarms. I’ve slept better this week than I have in actual years.
“Okay, so save us the trouble of you quietly standing in the doorway—definitely not begging with those pretty gray eyes of yours—and just come to bed with me.”
I blink at him, and he blinks at me, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air between us. “My pretty gray eyes, huh?” I tease, deciding to save us both the trouble of being embarrassed, and bat my lashes at him.
“Oh, shut up. But yes.”
I groan. “Okay. Fine. But if you want me out of your bed, please just say so. I know this isn’t what you signed up for.”
Austin reaches past me, his chest brushing my back as he grabs his mouthwash off the sink and tips it up before swishing it around and gargling. When he spits, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.
“I’m not gonna kick you outta my bed, Luc.” I barely have time to register the words before a horn blows out. “That’s Jasper. Gotta go. See you later!” he calls out, already turning tail and rushing out of the bathroom.
I need to look for a car. I checked my credit the other day, and I was pleased to see that my score is pretty good. There’s a lot in town that sells pretty decent used cars, so I plan on stopping in after work tomorrow and test-driving a couple. I’ve gotta get Austin’s truck back to him.
I know he doesn’t mind, but I found out that Jasper has to drive clear across town to pick Austin up when he only lives five minutes from the station. They’ve both tried to assure me they don’t care, but I know I’ll feel a lot better if I have my own vehicle and I don’t have to worry about always having Austin’s truck.
