Lydia piled pastries onto everyone’s plates and Dante looked satisfied at the small tower that was balanced precariously before him.
“So, what are the plans for the day?” Lydia asked me.
“Yeah, Mia,” Dom chimed in. “Where do you want me to take you?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but Luc cut me off, “Actually Dominic, I’ll be taking Mia out today.”
A small crease appeared in my brow as I turned to look at him. This was the first I had heard about it. What was Luc up to now? He hadn’t mentioned any plans.
“Don’t you need to work?” I asked him.
“Dante can handle it.”
Dante nodded while half a croissant hung out of his mouth. “I’m all over it, boss.” The nickname had been transferred from Luc to me in the last few days. The first time D had referred to me as boss I thought Luc’s eyes might pop out from his skull, but he kept his mouth shut. He was learning.
“See?” Luc smiled. “So, finish your breakfast, get changed into something warm, and meet me out the front.”
The group finished breakfast before we all dispersed. Luc had instructed me to wear something warm, so I pulled on an oversized sweatshirt and wound my hair up into a bun. As I fixed it into place, I looked into the mirror and couldn’t help but think this was the first birthday spent without my Dad. It had been about three months since I’d left home, and when I was alone, I wondered how Dad was doing and if he missed me as much as I missed him.
The sudden feeling of sadness seized me and made each breath feel like an effort. Trying my best to ignore it, I joined Luc on the drive where he waited for me.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
“Yes,” I replied. “Where’s the car?” The sleek sports car that was usually Luc’s choice wasn’t on the drive.
“We aren’t taking the car today,” he informed me. He held up a helmet and I took it from him without registering what it meant. Then Luc walked over to a motorcycle and I shook my head vigorously.
“Oh no, no, no,” I said, laughing.
“Oh, come on, Mia,” Luc coaxed. “How else are you going to get your gift?”
I was cautious about gifts that came from Luc, considering the last one could have equated to a tidy deposit on a house. I never wanted flashy, expensive presents but I wasn’t sure Luc knew of any other type.
“Don’t you trust me?” Luc asked, head cocked to one side.
Three months ago, I would have said no without hesitation but now things had changed. Luc had been earning more of my trust with each day. “If you kill me, I’m going to come back and haunt you.”
Luc laughed a deep and hearty laugh that shook my insides, then extended his hand towards me. “I promise to keep you in one piece.”
With promise in place, I took his hand and let him lead me to the bike before helping me to get seated. I put on the helmet and Luc ensured the strap was done under my chin before he put on his own and sat in front of me.
"Just hold tight, okay?" Luc's muffled instruction came to me over his shoulder. I wrapped my arms around Luc's middle, and he shifted and said, "Uh, Mia, a little less tight. You're surprisingly strong for someone so small."
After I loosened my grip a fraction, Luc kicked the bike into life. The sound and vibrations instantly made me tighten my grip and nothing Luc said would change that now. With my head resting against his back, Luc pulled off and we sped down the streets. The thrill of riding a motorcycle was second to being so close to Luc again. I could feel the muscles in his back move as he steered us towards our destination, and his woody scent had become something I was accustomed to. The more time I spent with Luc the more I wanted to spend.
It had become a daily fight with me. Every ounce of excitement I felt when we were left alone together, the overwhelming sense of relief when he walked through the door in the same state that he left in, was balanced with me reminding myself that I would walk out of Luc’s life, and the moment that happened there would be nothing left between us. No reason for us to hold our friendship any longer. We were parts of two different worlds that would no longer intersect.
Luc eventually pulled up near the beach and I reluctantly let go of him.
"What are we doing here?" I asked.
"Your gift is here," Luc told me as he helped me off the bike. Every touch between us lingered for a fraction longer than necessary. It wouldn’t be enough for a stranger to assume anything, but it was a silent blurring of boundaries.
I took the helmet off and placed it on the handle. "Do I get to know what it is?"
Luc rolled his eyes. "That would spoil the surprise."
I pouted and he laughed, "No, princess. It might be your birthday, but you aren't going to get your way with this one."
