Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 102607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
I don’t.
Instead, I shift in my seat. "What makes you so sure I’d agree?"
"Because you’ve already agreed once," he points out. “And I’m convincing.”
I scoff. "That’s a pretty low bar for success."
Luca laughs softly. "I’ll take what I can get." He lifts the drink, swirling the ice among the bright yellow liquid before taking a sip. Then, as if it’s an afterthought, he adds, "For the record, there’s no need to make a big deal out of this. We don’t have to tell your brother if you don’t want to."
We don’t have to tell your brother. The words hang there, light and careless. I feel the weight of them.
Our little secret.
Our dirty, little secret…
“Is now a good time to mention that if we have to keep something hidden—it’s probably a terrible idea!”
He nods. “Probably.”
That’s it? That’s all he’s going to say?!
I open my mouth to object, but he cuts me off before I can rattle off a list of reasons we shouldn’t be here in the first place.
"You’re overthinking it," he says, voice softer now. “Stop.”
"You’re not thinking it enough," I counter, no bite in my words. My traitorous mouth actually has the audacity to smile at him.
Ugh!
His fingers brush against mine again, the barest, briefest touch.
"Or." He pauses. "I don’t see the harm in getting to know you." He pauses again. “What’s the worst thing that can happen?”
I huff out a laugh, shaking my head. "Do you really want me to list all the possible ways this could go wrong?"
Luca grins, unfazed, and folds his arms across his broad chest. "Go for it."
I raise a finger. "First, my brother finds out and murders you."
His smile widens. "You’re adorable."
I ignore his compliment. "Second, he murders me.”
“False. I would defend your honor and he wouldn’t get through me. I feel like my odds would be decent.”
I shake my head, feigning exasperation. "Fine. Third reason—this thing, whatever it is, goes south. We end up avoiding each other, making everything unbearably awkward, and ruining any chance of pretending this never happened."
Luca doesn’t even blink. "Counterpoint: what if it doesn’t go south? What if we don’t tell anyone? No pressure, no expectations—just us seeing where this goes without the whole world knowing."
I hesitate. "Are you suggesting we sneak around?"
His smirk returns, slow and deliberate. "I’m suggesting we don’t make a big deal out of it. You’re a big girl—there’s no need to involve your brother."
I stare at him, incredulous. "You cannot seriously think that’s a good idea."
Luca shrugs. "Why not?"
"Uh, because secrets always come out? Because I don’t want to be somebody’s dirty little secret? Take your pick." I cross my arms, too. "If we do get caught, I get to deal with my brother’s wrath and look like an idiot.”
“No one would ever accuse Nova Montagalo of being an idiot.”
I snort. “My brother would. And has.”
“He’s the idiot.” Luca exhales through his nose as he gathers his thoughts. "It’s not about hiding you. It’s about keeping other people out of our business—this is our business and no one else’s. You shouldn’t have to deal with—" He gestures vaguely. "Drama.”
4
luca
“Why did you come here if you don’t want to date me? Free food?” The words slip out of my mouth before I can think them through, and the second they do, I know I’ve screwed up.
Nova’s brows shoot up. "Wow. Okay."
I drag a hand down my face. "That’s not what I meant."
Her expression shifts, something unreadable flickering behind those beautiful, sharp eyes.
"You think I came here for free food?"
I shake my head quickly. "No, that’s not—"
"Because I can buy my own damn food, Luca," she cuts me off, tone flat.
She is not amused…
I groan. "I know you can buy your own food, Nova. I meant—" I exhale, trying to untangle the knot of frustration in my chest. "Look, you’re the one arguing against this. You don’t want to keep things quiet, you don’t think this is a good idea—so why are you here?"
"Because you asked me to be here." She takes a slow sip, like she’s unbothered, but I can see the way her fingers tense around the glass.
"That’s not an answer," I say, watching her closely.
She lifts a shoulder. "It’s the only one you’re getting."
I decide to say more shocking shit because why not? Nova is already riled up, and I like seeing her like this—cheeks flushed, eyes shining, expression between amusement and exasperation.
I lean toward her again, raising my voice above the rumble of artificial thunder. "You like me."
She chokes around the straw in our drink, coughing as she sets the glass down with a clatter. "Excuse me?"
I fight back a grin. "You do."
"Pfft," she scoffs, her eyes narrowing like she’s trying to will me out of existence. "Absolutely not."
Her reaction makes me laugh—because it’s so dramatic, so her. I lean back against the ridiculous rhino seat, stretching out like I own the place, unable to keep the smile off my face.