“I guess I can understand where you're coming from.” Maeve picks at her towel. “Do you think you can ever move past this and get back with him?”
I forcefully blow air out from between my lips,
“Your guess is as good as mine, sister.”
“I guess only time will tell.” Maeve shrugs, sliding her glasses back onto her face.
We spendthe rest of the day relaxing and lounging. We have dinner together with Lucian, Savvy, Max, and Preston and then go watch a movie in the theater room.
I think my conversation with Jace struck a nerve because I don't see him for the rest of the day. Not even in passing.
My heart aches, but I’m also slightly relieved.
After I told Luca about Jace’s unexpected visit, he refused to leave my side. I appreciate how angry Luca is on my behalf, but I feel bad. Because Luca and Jace were like brothers. They had each other's backs until I came along. And now Luca won't even talk to him.
I guess I can’t really say anything because I'm not talking to him either.
Luca stretches out on the couch in my room, patting his side with a wink.
“Come to daddy.”
“Ew.” I laugh, “Only if you promise to never say anything like that to me again.”
“Pinky swear, cross my heart, and hope to die.” Luca makes an X over his heart while clearly crossing his fingers.
“No hoping to die, please.” I roll my eyes and sit next to him.
His arm wraps around my shoulders, warm and easy, and something inside me unclenches. I lean in before I can think too hard about it.
“Luca?”
He hums as he traces lazy circles up and down my arm.
“How are you feeling about everything?”
His body tenses under my cheek. The change so instant, I question if I imagined it. I lift my head and sneak a peek at him. He's staring ahead, eyes hard, jaw clenched.
“We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to,” I say quickly, starting to pull back.
“No.” He stops me gently. “It's not that. It's just…” he exhales. “I'm angry.”
“At who?”
“Jace.” A muscle jumps in his jaw. “The whole situation.” His voice lowers. “Most of all, myself.”
My forehead crinkles as I sit up straighter. “What? Why would you be mad at yourself?”
Luca turns toward me fully, like he needs me to see every piece of what he’s about to say. “Because I let it happen.”
“Luca—”
“Isobel, please, let me finish.”
I nod.
“I’m mad because I pulled away. Because I got scared.”
His eyes flick down to our hands before he reaches out and takes mine, thumb brushing softly over my knuckles.
