Nova pulls back and smiles genuinely. She squeezes my arm. “You’ve got me, sis. I’m not going anywhere.”
Kensley watches with rapt curiosity, and then Luca saunters back, two beers in hand, offering me one.
“You offer Harper a beer but not me? We’re the same age, jackass.” Nova glares at Luca, and I swear she’s about ready to start a fight with him.
I hand her my beer. “Take it.”
“Harper!” Luca growls at me, and I shove her toward the sofa. “Go hang out with Ashton; keep him company. He looks lonely.”
Nova willingly takes the beer bottle but pretends to glare at Ashton and then back at me. “Seriously? Like I don’t see enough of him all evening.”
But from the looks and the conversation earlier, I genuinely suspect she’s as good at faking not liking Ashton as Luca is as good at faking liking me.
Luca is still scowling at me. “I can’t believe you gave her that beer.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry for much longer,” I say.
“Why’s that?” he asks and steps closer, invading my personal space. He brushes a strand of hair out of my eyes.
“Next semester, Nova and I will be living here, with Zeke.”
He watches me for a moment, the realization dawning on him. His life is about to change.
“We’ll just find somewhere else to celebrate after a win,” Luca says, but there’s something else behind his stare that I can’t quite chase.
Kensley glances at Luca. “Any of your friends single?” she asks.
He laughs under his breath. “Sure, but it depends. Are you looking for a fling or a relationship?”
“I don’t need to get married,” she says, staring at Luca, and I feel like she’s taking a jab, but I’m not sure why. Kensley has been supportive one hundred percent with me about the engagement and finding out I have a son.
He laughs darkly and sips his beer. “Ashton’s only interested in a one-night hookup.” He points at his other roommate, whom I’ve barely seen around the house. “Liam is more into friends-with-benefits, from what I hear. Then there’s Chase, who is recently single, and I’d guess it’ll be rebound sex. He’s still quite hung up on his ex.”
Kensley glances at the guys Luca pointed out and then back at me. “I think you lucked out and picked a good one.” She pats my arm. “I’m going to mingle.”
“Sure,” I say and smile, watching her wander off into the crowd. I don’t know how she does it. I hate big crowds. The house right now feels overwhelming, but with Luca by my side, I’m at least feeling a bit better.
“How are you doing?” he asks, his lips brushing against my ear.
“Okay.”
He stares at me, waiting for a real answer, it seems.
“You know I’m not big on parties,” I confess.
“Do you want to go upstairs, hang out, just the two of us?” Luca asks.
Silently, I nod, and he takes my hand and whisks me upstairs to his bedroom. Stepping inside, he closes the door behind us, and the chatter and loudness seem to dissipate behind the closed door.
While I can still hear the commotion, it’s muffled.
My heartbeat slows to a steady rhythm. I hadn’t realized it was racing. “Can I sit?” I ask, gesturing to his bed.
“It’s your room too,” he says. “It will be soon enough.”
My mouth parts, and a soft sigh slips past. I hadn’t even considered that we’d be sharing a bedroom together.
“What?”
