And maybe if I’m being honest with myself, I’m a little worried I’ll taste her if I kiss him.And if I don’t taste her cherry lip gloss, then what happens if I fall for him even faster?
That can’t happen.
I have to keep things slow, cautious.
Because it’s Luca Ricci.
He’s hot.
Smart.
Athletic.
And, more importantly, has all the girls fawning over him.I don’t want to be another number on his roll call.
It’s more than that—so much more that I can’t even deal with again.
“So, how about that weekend date, just the two of us?Or we could make it the entire weekend,” Luca says and grins.
I give him credit for his persistence.“Do you mean our first date with your little sister hanging around doesn’t count?”I’m teasing him about Nova because maybe it’ll break the thick sexual tension hanging in the air.
“Definitely doesn’t count.”He offers a wry smile.“So, Saturday or Sunday?Pick your poison,” he jokes.
Can I trust him with my heart?
I can’t erase the image of her lips onhis, but I believe Luca, that she threw herself at him.That sounds exactly like Quinn.
I like Luca, a lot, but trusting him is something that doesn’t come naturally for me.I’ve been burned before, with my high school boyfriend.He swore he loved me, that we’d go to Evergreen University together, and that he only had eyes for me.That I was the center of his world.
It was all a line of absolute crap.I caught him in bed with two cheerleaders, and then he had the audacity to invite me to join them!
That memory boils my blood and haunts me to this day.
Yes, I have trust issues.That jackass was the reason for them, and while I know not every guy is a complete douchebag, he was on the football team.Which makes me want to steer clear of jocks.
And Luca plays hockey.It’s hard not to see the similarities.He has girls throwing themselves at him constantly.It’s a lot to compete against, and well, I worry that, in the end, I won’t win.I’ll end up with my heart crushed again.
Luca will inevitably find someone else who doesn’t have trust issues, who is more fun to be around and who actually likes sports.
We have nothing in common.That hasn’t changed, and it never will.
My heart flutters as I stare into those cool gray eyes that give me swarms of butterflies in my stomach.
What’s the harm in one date?
“Sunday,” I say.We had talked about going out on Sunday earlier in the week; the plan still stands.“I’m seeing Nova for her birthday party this weekend, but I’ll be home Sunday for a date.I might be home late Saturday since the party is Friday night, but I’m not sure what time.”I stand, gently pushing him toward the door, an errant smile forming at the corners of my lips.Just thinking about a date with him has put me in a better mood.
I’m feeling cautiously optimistic.
“You’re going over to my house?”he asks, his voice catching in his throat as I practically push him out the door.
“Yeah, Nova’s birthday.Remember?”I smile faintly as I gesture for him to get going.“Ashton is waiting for you.”
His phone buzzes again, as if on cue.
“Right,” Luca says and sighs.He looks perplexed.I’m not sure why.
“Goodnight, Luca,” I say and close the door behind him.I spin around on my heels, glaring at Quinn.If looks could kill, I’d be cleaning up a dead body right now.
