‘It’s fine. I’ve spent the last few days getting to know you better. It’s only fair that you get to know me as well, no?’
Colette didn’t reply. If she said yes she might seem too eager, but if she said no it would be a lie. She wanted to know more about Luca. She wanted to knoweverything.
‘My father had plans for me. I had a mother and five sisters at home depending on me. I had to do what was right for them,’ he replied. ‘That’s how I know when a person isn’t being their true selves. Because I’m not.’
Colette refused the second forkful of food he offered. She leaned in closer as she studied his face. ‘Why? That must have been years ago surely. Why don’t you be who you want to be now?’
‘I still have my family to think of. My youngest sister is at school. It will be a few years until she’s ready and able to take care of herself.’
‘So until then, you do what you have to, just not what you love?’ Colette said sadly.
‘I will be responsible,’ Luca replied. Another forkful of food was directed to her mouth then and Colette duly accepted it. It was so delicious, perhaps even more so now that she knew he’d made it just for her.
‘Why do you feed me like that?’ she asked. ‘I can do it myself.’
‘Because I like to watch your eyes when you eat,’ Luca replied. ‘I like to watch your expressions when you taste what I’ve made. Especially now you know that I’ve made it.’
‘How many of my meals have you made?’
A mischievous glint reflected in Luca’s eyes but he didn’t respond. Instead, he fed her another bite.
‘All of them?’ she exclaimed.
‘Hush, do you want your friends to hear? They’ll think I’m doing something inappropriate in here.’
Heat flooded her chest and neck once more. ‘You really did all this for me?’
‘I told you: I like you. I take care of what I like.’
If he didn’t stop soon Colette wasn’t sure her heart would be able to take it. No one had ever said such things to her before. She wasn’t sure if she should believe it or how she should respond. All she knew was that she liked it. She likedhim.
‘What do you do in your father’s business?’ she asked as she tried to find something that would keep him talking.
‘I’m Vice President of Sales,’ he informed her.
‘That’s very accomplished. How old are you?’ she enquired, realising she wasn’t quite sure of his age.
‘I turned thirty-three on my last birthday. What’s the matter? Did that surprise you?’ Luca questioned as the next forkful of food hovered in the air between them.
‘No,’ she lied, as Luca’s phone began to chime. She’d actually thought he was much older.
‘You’re a terrible liar,’ he replied. ‘It did. Why?’ He pulled the phone from his back pocket and promptly turned it off. ‘I hate these things. I would throw them all in the sea if I could.’
Colette smiled. She felt the very same way about electronics and was especially glad he’d silenced it in favour of her. ‘I just can’t figure out why you’re being so nice to me.’
His expression became gentle but his voice was serious. ‘I can see you aren’t a woman who is so easily swayed by words,’ he replied. ‘So I think I will just have to show you.’
‘Show me?’ she repeated as he got to his feet, faintly disappointed. ‘Where are you going?’ Usually, he stayed while she ate, and sat and talked with her a while longer before heading back. But today he was leaving early, it seemed.
‘I promised my sister I would take care of her children tonight,’ he informed her.
‘You’re babysitting?’
Was there no end to this man’s mysteries?
‘My sister and her husband have a new baby and busy lives. It isn’t easy for them to get some time alone. I help when I can.’
‘That’s really sweet.’
