“Well, Sam, Emily and I are going to head home. I have some things to do around the house, and I’m sure she would love a nap.”
Emily smirked. “A nap, yes.”
They slid out but I refused to get up, afraid Lukas would run.
“Okay, bye, guys. See you later.”
“Nice meeting you, Lukas.” Ben shook his hand, as did Emily, and as soon as they were gone, I turned to face Lukas.
“Are you not going to get up?”
“Nope.” I beamed.
“Why?”
“Because, this is the first time you’re talking to me that didn’t feel like it was a bother. If I get up you’ll run for the island of despair, and who knows when I’ll see you again?”
The corner of his mouth lifted, and oh my God, was that a semi-smile?
“I actually have a few errands to run.”
“Uh-huh. Where?”
He tilted his head, his purple eyes glittering under the fluorescent lights. He was beautiful.
“I have to pick up one of my tuxedos; I was informed Aldo was able to finish one. Then, I thought I’d go to that bookstore you mentioned.”
My eyes widened. “For real?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I can join you.”Please say yes, please say yes.
He shut his eyes as if he were collecting himself but then nodded. “If you must.”
“I so must.”
He motioned for me to move, and I slid from the booth. I waved at Jim on my way to the door, and once outside, I breathed in the crisp air.
“Autumn is my favorite.”
“And why is that?” he asked and began walking toward Abbadelli’s.
“The colors, the smells, just the feeling in the air.”
“I see. And what’s your least favorite?”
He was asking me things.Holy hell. I tried not to make it appear that I was freaking out inside.
“Least, probably summer…which is weird I know, living on the shore and all. But it gets nuts with the tourists. Never calm. Takes forever to get anywhere, and restaurants and stuff are overrun.”
He nodded. “That does sound obnoxious.”
I chuckled. “You might want to stay on your island from mid-June until September first.”
“Noted.”
Our conversation halted once we reached Abbadelli’s. Aldo and Vittoria tried to engage with Lukas, but he kept to one-word responses. Once his tuxedo was handed to him in a garment bag, we left.
