Theo
Ayoungguywithslicked-back hair comes up to us as soon as we walk inside. “Welcome to Daisy’s. Let me get you a—oh, hey, Hunter.”
“Arlo,” Hunter says, tipping his head, and I can’t help but grin. This town is so cute, and it really seems like everyone just knowseveryone.
Arlo smiles, turning his attention to me. “You must be Theo. Come get ya a seat, and I’ll get Luca out here. Austin stopped by, so he’s in the kitchen talking.”
“I am, and no rush,” I say quickly. I don’t want Luca to be interrupted while he’s with Austin.
Arlo shakes his head. “No, he’ll want to come out. He’s been waiting to take his break until you got here.”
Oh. Well, I’m not sure how I feel about that. Good, I think.
Arlo leads us to a table, and I sit down across from Hunter and then take a second to look around. This place is cute. Old-timey in a way I’ve never seen. I’d imagine it’s what stepping into the past feels like. The booths are red, and the floor is checkered black and white.
It should be a cliché, but somehow… it just really works.
I startle when Luca approaches the table, sliding into the booth next to me. “Hey, guys.”
He’s got a huge smile on his face, and the twinkle in his light gray eyes makes just a tiny bit of my guilt lift. I hate that I couldn’t save him from Damien, but I’m happy that he’s happy, even though it does make my stomach twist in agony thatIcan’t be.
I’d never wish my fate on him, though. Or anyone, really. This is no way to live.
“Hi,” I say back.
Glancing across the table, Luca frowns. “Hey, Hunter.”
“Hi, Luc.”
“I was really sorry to hear about your dad. Are you guys handling things okay?”
His dad? What happened?
Hunter’s lips turn up in a sad smile. “As well as we can be. Mom’s just trying to stay busy, and things have been a little hectic on the farm. You and Austin should swing by soon and meet Lila.”
“Who’s Lila?” Luca asks, leaning over the table toward Hunter.
“The cutest goat in existence,” I chime in, and Luca turns to me.
“Oh. I thought it was a girl.”
“She is,” Hunter says, chuckling.
Luca pulls a straw from his apron pocket and launches it at Hunter. “I meant ahumangirl, you dingdong.”
Hunter laughs. “You haven’t called me that since my freshman year.”
Interesting. Maybe Luca doesn’t know Hunter’s gay. I wonder why not if that’s the case. “She’s really cute,” I say, and Luca turns his attention back to me. “Hunter taught me how to feed her.”
“He’s a natural. Gonna have him converted to small-town life in no time.”
Luca chuckles. “Hey, I’ll take all the help I can get.”
All the help he can get? Ishetrying to convert me to small-town life? Something warm unfurls in my chest at the possibility.
“Okay, so,” Luca says, shifting in his seat to turn to me. “I wanted to talk to you about something, but I’m not sure…” He trails off, glancing at Hunter.
“I’ll go talk to Austin. Is he still in the kitchen?” Hunter asks, already standing from the booth.
