He exhales a small laugh. “Good. I want tonight to be perfect.”
“It doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s already more than good enough because I’m here with you.”
He pulls us to a stop just outside the door to the lodge and tips my chin up so he can kiss me.
“Nice line, Forrester.”
“Well, I am good at knowing how to appeal to an audience,” I tease. “A good one-liner is marketing 101.”
His throaty chuckle follows us inside the warm, cozy lodge. We’re escorted to a table next to the window, with a perfect view of the mountain and the twinkling lights of the town below.
Once we’ve given the waiter our drink order, I reach over and take his hand. “Thank you, Luca. This is incredible.”
He doesn’t answer right away, instead, he stares into my eyes. Then, less than a minute later, Luca blurts out, “Isla, I’m in love with you.”
The horror that flashes across his expression is comical simply because it’s so opposite of the calm, confident man he usually is. “Shit. I didn’t mean to say that. I mean, I did, but not like this.” He’s adorably flustered, and as stunned as I am by his confession, I hope he can see the truth shining through the emotional tears building behind my eyes.
“I love you, too.”
His shoulders drop in an exhale as he gives me a shaky smile, so at odds with the mature, steady man I’ve fallen for. “Thank fuck for that. I had it all planned. Later, under the stars, I was going to tell you. I’ve wanted to for a while, but I wanted it to be?—”
“Perfect?” I interrupt, sniffing away my tears. “What did I tell you earlier? It doesn’t need to be perfect.”
Luca’s up and moving around the table in an instant, and without a care for who might see or what they might think of our display. I stand to meet him for a long, slow kiss.
“I love you,” he murmurs against my lips.
The sound of a throat clearing nearby has us parting to see the subtly smiling waiter with our drinks. “Sorry to interrupt.” He sets the glasses down and then swiftly retreats, leaving us staring at each other, giddy and punch-drunk in love.
I let Luca guide me to sit back down, then, to my surprise, instead of taking his seat across the table, he moves his chair around beside mine, his back facing the rest of the dining room. Draping his arm over the back of my chair, he takes his other hand and gently cups my chin, leaning in and kissing me again.
“Good thing we’re not trying to keep this a secret any longer. I’m pretty sure everyone saw that,” I whisper, letting my head fall to his shoulder.
“A billboard downtown would’ve been more subtle,” Luca cracks and we both start laughing quietly.
When our amusement settles, I lift my head, raking my fingers through his hair until my hand rests on the back of his neck. Staring into his eyes, I can see his love for me. And it makes my heart so full, it feels like it could burst.
“This was better than a billboard.”
36
LUCA
I pullinto the driveway of Isla and Charlie’s house, cut the engine, and sit in silence for a few seconds. It’s funny, looking back at how just a year ago, I thought I was content with my life. I’m sure I was happy in Toronto, with my ex, her friends who became my friends, and the apartment we shared downtown. But that life washerlife, and I’ve since realized I was really just a visitor.
But I had my research lab with my mentor from my postgrad degree and everything I needed at my fingertips to design and build whatever I wanted. Even after GaitSync was in its final stages, I was in the lab every day just tinkering, trying to come up with another idea. Another project to fill my time and occupy my mind. I can see now, that’s all my life was. A series of moments, trying to pass the time, subconsciously hoping inspiration would strike or something would click, and I’d finally feel like I belonged wherever I was.
Not in a hundred years would I have expected tofinally feel that sense of belonging in a much smaller city on the opposite side of the country, surrounded by mountains. Much less with a single mom a decade younger than me who sets my soul on fire in a way I’ve never experienced before.
Even the last time I was in a serious relationship, I never envisioned a future where I’d end my day at an actual home. There was never talk of a family, buying a house, or moving out of the city. Yet, here I am, about to have dinner with Isla and Charlie at their home for the first time. We’ve spent plenty of time together over the last several weeks but never here.
They’re a family. One that I’m lucky enough to get to be a part of, in whatever small way I can. And what really surprises me is just how much I want that. I’m not just in love with Isla, I’m in love with the possibility she represents. A future I hadn’t ever dreamed of, and a future I could easily see myself being perfectly happy living. With her, Charlie, and hell, maybe even another kid if I’m not too damn old.
At that sobering thought, I exhale.
Kids. Family. Home.
The door to the house opens, warm light spilling out. It’s Charlie, and he’s raising his…right arm!
