Henry narrowed his eyes.
“Stop by Casa Aurelio before you leave,” I said. “I got you the appointment. I’ll text you the number—you’re all set.”
Luca’s face brightened. “Thank you, Ash.” He reached out to shake Henry’s hand. “Bye, Henry.”
Henry nodded back, still looking puzzled.
Luca stepped toward me, pressing a soft kiss to my mouth before heading for the door. Right before leaving, he paused and turned. “We’re going out for drinks tonight with Carla. If you would like to come… both of you?”
My jaw tightened for a second. “Can’t make it, Luc. I have a meeting with Elena tonight. Sorry, it’s just this whole mess…”
“Right,” he said. “No problem. Next time.”
“Next time,” I echoed, already reaching for my mouse.
Luca gave a small nod and slipped out of the office. The sound of his footsteps faded down the hall as we sat in silence. My inbox counter ticked upward on the screen.
“So…” Henry said. “Was this the first time you two met, or…?”
I blew out a breath, knowing this was coming. “What?”
“This just felt a little like walking into a business meeting, not my brother and his boyfriend.”
I drummed my fingers on the desk. “Your point being?”
Henry leaned his elbows on the table, tilting his head. “Do youlikehim?”
“We’re dating, Henny. What do you think?”
“That that was the most clinical exchange I’ve ever seen between two people who are, quote, unquote, dating.”
“Just because we weren’t all over each other?”
He wobble-nodded. “Not everyone has to be. Butyoucan be. When you and Ethan—” He cut himself off abruptly. “Never mind. Not getting in the middle.”
I grabbed one of the boxes and opened it. “Good choice.”
“But I mean,” Henry continued, “I’ve seen you be warmer than that with fuckbuddies. It’s weird, that’s all.”
My phone buzzed on the desk, and I flipped it over. A text from Ethan. I’d messaged him this morning, and we’d been talking on and off throughout the day.
Pet
just left quant methods
professor said numbers never lie but the numbers in my spreadsheet have absolutely lied to me
twice
I huffed a small laugh. The tension in my shoulders loosened a fraction.
Me
that’s not the spreadsheet lying
it’s begging for help
want me to take a look at it?
