Luke’s hand found mine. “That’s very cool,” he whispered back, entwining our fingers. “Because the feeling’s mutual.”
He watched me fumble to get dressed after the alarm went off at 7:15. This morning’s game was at 9:00 a.m. “Can I borrow a tie?” I asked as I buttoned my wrinkled shirt. It probably wasn’t a good idea if I wore mine two days in a row. Someone would notice.
Luke nodded. “Closet.”
I opened the door and grabbed the first one I saw, solid gray. I quickly knotted it and turned back to look at him. He was still under the covers, his hair an absolute train wreck. I smiled. “You’re adorable.”
He smirked. “So I’ve been told.”
“By who?” I pulled on my blazer.
“Well, let’s see…my mom, my sisters, my grandmother, Sage, Nina…”
I laughed and flopped down on top of him to say goodbye. “Yeah, I get it. Everyone’s in love with you.”
Luke shrugged. “Pretty much.”
“Must be tough.”
“I manage.”
“Will you come today?” I asked, sort of quietly. Mom and Dad were going to be there again, but it would be Sage making the introduction, not me. “My dear friend Luke!” was probably how she’d do it, exactly how I needed it to be. I wasn’t ready for more than that.
But suddenly I did want them to meet him.
If only for just enough time for a handshake.
“You should be there to see me suck,” I added, since I was exhausted. We hadn’t gotten much sleep. “There’s a high possibility I’ll get benched.”
“Of course.” Luke grinned. “I’ll text Sage, and we’ll get coffee first.”
I grinned back and hugged him hard.
CHAPTER 23
SAGE
I was with Luke when I got an email fromDaggett House, saying Charlie had “cordially invited” me to their Tacky Christmas dinner this week. Last year Paddy had asked me, and we’d obnoxiously mimed gagging ourselves while Charlie and his fling-at-the-time canoodled over decorating Christmas cookies.
“I feel kinda bad,” I admitted after Luke skimmed the invitation. We were at the bakery in town, waiting to get cupcakes for Reese’s birthday. “Youshould be his date, not me.”
Luke shrugged. “Better you than someone else.”
I laughed, but it felt forced.
“Just don’t get too handsy with him,” Luke warned. “I hear he’s taken.”
“Noted,” I said as we moved up in line.
“What can I get for you kids?” the friendly-looking woman behind the counter asked.
“We’ll take a dozen, please,” Luke replied, and I listened as he relayed our Reese-approved selection, ending with: “And one Boston Cream in a separate bag.”
My brows knitted together. “Is that last one for you?”
He smiled and rolled his eyes. “Of course not.”
We paid for Reese’s birthday goodies and then headed back to campus. “Where’s Charlie?” I asked after we made room in Brooks’ fridge for our white bakery box. I shook the brown paper bag. “You gonna deliver his special treat?”
