Chapter 19
The days between Thanksgiving and Christmas were the busiest Luna could remember being. Between class projects, testing and end-of-semester grades, shopping for gifts, and packing to go to her parents’, Luna barely had time to think.
All in all, it was good. She didn’t want time to think. She needed, desperately, to resolve her issues with Davis and his parents. But she was a coward and she knew it. Everything was exactly as it should be between them, and she was absolutely terrified it would all come crumbling down.
Since she couldn’t stop the thoughts and ideas from tumbling around in her head, she made the decision to tell Davis the day she moved in. She’d agreed to that rather quickly, as he undoubtedly knew she would. She wanted the chance to tell her parents first, in person, and then she would officially reside in the apartment that looked out over the city.
Or at least that was the plan.
If Sophia Healy demanded Davis either break it off with Luna or be disinherited, she had no idea what they would do. Her ego didn’t want to consider the idea that he might not choose her, so she let that option stay off to the side for the time being. If he was fired, if he lost what he’d worked for, struggled for, and ultimately had fought for, then what? Hopefully, any of the major corporations in the area would be delighted to hire a Healy. She hoped that was as bad as it could get.
If he chose his family over her, she couldn’t exactly blame him. That possibility was too much for her tender heart to entertain.
On the day Davis managed to talk her into moving in, she had fun talking to Alex about wedding plans. Alex had a cousin and an aunt that were helping her at home, but it was fun to discuss it. Alex had pictures on her phone of nearly every idea she was considering, enough to consume hours of their time. Reagan, Luna, and Alex had no trouble bonding. It was the guys that remained a little too aloof. Hudson was the odd man out, each time. Older, uptight, and not overly friendly, Luna often wondered if he would ever mellow and befriend the men that were inevitable in his life. Because they were in his life whether he liked it or not, by blood and circumstance.
As she pondered all of this, Luna walked down the street with her hands full of shopping bags. She happened to glance up when she spotted Luther. Gasping, she ducked into the next store; candles and engraved silver. He hadn’t been looking at her, so she didn’t have the vibe that he was there intentionally. Still, it was easier to just hide for a few minutes until he passed.
She wandered around, looking at the engraved items. She kind of wanted to buy something for herself, but she never bought frivolous things just before Christmas. The smell of several burning candles was overwhelming, but she went ahead and wandered for several minutes. She spotted a display consisting of a silver frame with names engraved on it and candles scattered in front of it. She realized it was the perfect gift for Alexandra, but couldn’t decide if she should buy it right then or wait for her wedding shower.
Luna looked at the stock picture of the couple, imagining herself and Davis. It was clearly meant for a wedding, with dates inscribed along the bottom and names along the top. Her fingers itched to buy it for herself, but she resisted. One day, maybe even in the not-too-distant future.
She could picture it, actually. It would beextrabecause that was how the Healys rolled. She frowned. It occurred to her that the bride’s family was supposed to pay for the wedding and suddenly her vision changed, becoming her parents’ backyard in Vermont. She realized she preferred that; small and personal. A simple affair with friends and family, the smell of fresh-cut grass tangling with the wildflowers gathered into her bouquet. Her dress would be vintage, possibly even her mother’s. Her father would set up some chairs and tables, call his buddies that played string instruments to perform. It was a dream, a fantasy, but there was nothing stopping her from letting it become a reality. Well, almost nothing.
Realizing how much time she’d wasted, she headed out of the shop and into the brisk slap of cold air. She looked in both directions, but it appeared Luther had moved on. She made her way back to her car and stowed her bags before heading to the restaurant where she and Davis were meeting.
When she walked in, Luna spotted him waiting for her up by the hostess stand. He never sat without her, though he certainly could. He turned toward her as she approached and simply took her breath away. His suit fit him impeccably, the blue causing his eyes to pop. He grinned, and it was easy and pleased. He was so hot she had to check for drool.
“Davis.” Her voice was damn near giddy, and she didn’t even mind.
He kissed her in greeting, going from soft to hard in a flash. It clearly stated to anyone bothering to watch that she was his. It didn’t even annoy her in the slightest that they were making a spectacle of themselves, not like it used to. She felt the surprise at that revelation almost as strongly as she felt the punch of that kiss.
“Damn, a girl could get used to that type of greeting.”
“Perfect. I’ll do it more often, then.”
He took her hand as they were led to a table near the back with glowing candles and white linens. “You know, there’s a diner a block east. We don’t always have to go to the five-star places.”
“Duly noted. Tomorrow night it’s chili and baked potatoes.”
She laughed and spread her napkin in her lap. “Tell me about your day.”
“Oh, it was pretty damn good. Tony is so scared of me now that all I have to do is walk down the hallway and he clenches his butt cheeks.”
“As long as clenched cheeks is what makes you happy, then I’m happy for you.”
He wiggled his eyebrows and leaned in close. “If they’re yours, then always.”
Luna waved him off just as the waiter came over. Once they’d ordered, she rested her hand on his.
“I guess I should tell you. I saw Luther today, but he didn’t see me.”
She watched his eyes go dark. “You’re sure?”
“I don’t think he meant to be where I was. He was walking on the other side of the street so I ducked into a store until I was sure he’d passed.” She’d debated not telling him, but in the end felt that he needed to know.
“If you see him again, it’s less likely to be a coincidence. I can’t stress enough that you need to tell me if that happens.”
“I know, Davis.” She met his gaze, held it steady. “I know, and I agree. That’s why I told you this time, even though it was a bunch of nothing.”
