“Glad you could make it,” Decker says. When he releases Luke, Tasha takes his place.
“I was surprised when Deck said you accepted the invite,” she says when they break apart. Her eyes slide over to me. “And even more surprised when you took him up on the offer for a plus one. I’m Tasha.” She holds out a perfectly manicured hand topped with one of the largest diamonds I’ve ever seen.
My eyes must bulge out of my head because she laughs. “That was my reaction when I saw it too,” she says lightly. “But I earned this, isn’t that right, babe?” She looks over her shoulder at Decker who immediately nods.
“Yes, you did.”
The rest of the group pairs off, leaving just the four of us as Luke catches up with his old friends. From what he’s told me, out of all his former teammates, he was always closest with Decker. Which makes sense because I don’t know if any of the rest of them could’ve gotten him out here.
I like watching him like this. Animated, engaged, brimming with life. It’s so at odds with the Luke I was introduced to last year who could barely fake enough interest to hold a quick conversation.
The wine is crisp as I baby my way through the glass, not wanting to step away for a refill.
“So,” Decker says, pulling my focus back into the conversation. “How did you guys meet?”
I laugh nervously and lean into Luke’s shoulder. These are his friends, so I’ll let him take this one.
“That’s a story for a different time.” Luke smirks. We’re still trying to get our families onboard with our relationship and don’t really want to add friends’ approval into the mix just yet.
“Oh shit.” Decker grins. “Must mean it’s a good one then. Don’t think I’m letting you off the hook, but we should keep it moving.” He motions to Tasha, and she gives a small wave as she pulls him toward a group of older couples. “Thanks again for coming out, man.” Decker shakes Luke’s hand.
“Thanks for the invite. It’s good to see you.”
“Don’t be a stranger again, okay?”
Luke swallows thickly. “Okay.”
I squeeze his arm, and he turns to me with a relieved smile on his face. “Want to get some fresh air?”
The sun has almost completely set, but the city beyond sparkles with glittering lights. It’s almost as beautiful as it was during golden hour.
“Lead the way.”
Luke takes my hand and guides us outside. I set my glass on an empty tray, and he does the same. The breeze has a chill to it, but he’s quick to wrap his arms around me from behind as soon as we find a spot by the railing to look out over the city. His chest warms my back as I lean into his touch.
“I’m never going to take for granted being able to be touched by you like this out in public,” I murmur.
He gives me a light squeeze, and his cologne fills my nose. “You want me to touch you in front of all these people? Dirty girl, Killer.”
I slap his forearms that are wrapped around my chest. “I was trying to be sweet.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Lucas.”
“You know that’s not my real name.”
I jokingly scolded him one night, calling him Lucas and assuming that was his legal name, but nope. He’s just Luke.
MyLuke.
“Are you glad that you decided to come?” I ask, peering up over my shoulder to look at him.
He stares out over the city with a peaceful expression, and I already know the answer before he says it. “Yeah. I can’t believe that I was ever worried about it. When I retired, I truly thought that cutting it all out was what I needed to try to move on, but maybe I was wrong.”
“You were in pain,” I say softly. “They all clearly understand that.”
“I know that now. Just wish I would’ve known then.”
