Something warm and tender unfurled in me. I tilted my head to study his face. A small smile softened his features, an expression that was becoming more and more frequent.
“How come you stopped by my apartment?”
“I had pizza.”
My lips kicked up to a full smile. “You had pizza?” I asked, disbelieving.
He poked my side and I giggled. “Yes, I had pizza. I got us dinner, OK? I thought you might have wanted some after our busy day. I know it’s not a Friday, but today’s session was intense.”
“Luca, you really didn’t have to do that. That’s completely out of your way.”
“Why won’t you let anyone take care of you? You take care of everyone else.”
Because if I let people take care of me, then I’m no longer useful. No longer needed.
My lips parted, but nothing came out. I didn’t know how to respond. I settled on: “Because you don’t haveto.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to,” he said softly.
“Thank you so much,” I said, hoping he knew how sincere I was being. He might deny it, but he was a caretaker by nature, always looking out for others. Seeing him was like looking in a mirror—except Luca, never one for false pretenses, didn’t do it out of obligation. He saved his behavior for those whom he cared about. My heart danced, knowing I’d somehow made it onto that short list of people.
Could it ever be more?
I agreed with the papers—we weren’t a realistic match. Luca was all but Hollywood royalty, for god’s sake. He’d been spotted leaving bars with literal supermodels draped over him in the past.
But it didn’t stop my heart from wanting. And we couldn’t go on likethisand not acknowledge it. As my therapist had reminded me when I’d told her about the situation, Lucahadasked for honesty, and, deep down, I knew I was safe to give it to him—even if it scaredme.
“What are we doing, Luca?” I sat forward and turned so I could study his face.
“We’re going to eat pizza, Matilda.”
I gave him a look. “You know what I mean.”
His throat bobbed with a swallow as he wiped his palms down his thighs. “I think we’re finally getting along and enjoying each other’s company. We’re skating better than ever—and I think, for the first time in a long time, we’re both having fun.” He cleared his throat and held my gaze. “I…We both slipped up a few weeks ago. Here in the dressing room. I think we were both acting on this…attractionwe obviously have for each other without really thinking about the consequences.”
Although my cheeks burned, I didn’t disagree—as much as I wanted to. We both had huge goals we needed to focuson.
“You’re right. Forget that I even asked.”
“No,you’reright. I’m sorry; I should have brought it up sooner. I don’t want anything to change. We can continue killing it—while having fun.”
“OK,” I said, somewhat content and proud of myself for even asking. Knowing where we stood made it feel like I wasn’t walking around in the dark. “We both need to win—so let’s just pretend that week five never happened.”
He blinked, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes, before he offered a small smile, leaned forward, and opened the box to reveal a huge steaming pizza. And just like that, we were back to Luca and Matilda.
Oh my god. I’ve died and gone to heaven.
“How is this still warm?” I gaped.
“I reordered on my way over here. Don’t worry, I ate the pizza from earlier—it didn’t go to waste.” He tapped underneath my chin gently. “Stop drooling and get yourself a slice.” I took that as my cue to ravish four slices in approximately three minutes.
“How were the tapes going before you took an extended break?” Luca asked as he lounged back, a lazy half-smile tugging at his lips as he watched meeat.
“Good. I just want to make a small tweak to the ending tomorrow and then we should be ready.”
He nodded, studying my face. “And how are you feeling about doing your mom’s skate?”
The slice of pizza froze on the way to my mouth. That was not what I’d been expecting.
