Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81375 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81375 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
He rears back in the chair, bumping into two cats who turn around and yawn-hiss in his face but do nothing other than reposition themselves. I’ve never heard Luca give one of those hee-haw laughs before, but it happens. It’s a full-on eyes-squeezed-shut, head thrown back, and throat and chest and whole body laugh.
He swipes away moisture from the corners of his eyes. “You make me feel seen. You help me see myself in a different way. Is that better?”
How is it possible to laugh and have your heart nearly fall out of your chest at the same time? “You wear your heart on your sleeve, Luca. As dumb as that old saying is. I didn’t have to dig deep down at all.”
“I’d fallen out of love with life,” he protests, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. The weight of it is like being wrapped up in a blanket on a cold winter’s day. The cozy warmth just makes me feel safe. “I became complacent. And then, it was just about survival.”
I cuddle close, resting my cheek on his shoulder. He managed to bring the forest with him when he came. It’s in his cologne and the scents of his aftershave, shampoo, and skin. It’s not just pine but the open sky and unique lake scent that belong solely to cabins, cottages, picnics, and fishing trips.
“The first time we kissed, it was two strangers who didn’t want to be lonely. It was about a lot of emptiness wanting to be filled. Then, the last time? It was trust. It was being present. It was friendship, tears, and laughter. It was the times we talked and listened to each other. It was tender and emotional on a level I’ve never felt before. It has been a relatively short time, but I’ve learned so much about you and myself. You’re not the only one who got a bit lost in life. We need to come home to find those missing pieces and realign the world again, but sometimes, home can be a person too. Home can be here. It can be my parents. It can be these cats. It could be New York, a lake, punk music, huge pizzas, and you.”
The way he’s looking at me when I can’t turn my face up to read what’s going on in his head? It goes beyond adoration. Beyond connection. Beyond being present, even though he’s all those things.
His unblinking intensity gives off far deeper vibes.
I’m here no matter what.
We’re going to be okay.
I’m safe with you.
I’m falling for you too.
The last thing I expect him to whisper is, “Earl Grey.” It’s not exactly the name I wanted to hear. But he suddenly brightens, his entire face suffusing with light. I didn’t know seeing Luca inspired and motivated and as an utter genius was on today’s BINGO card, but I’m darned glad it is. He’s spectacular. Breathtaking.
Alright, okay, so I’m obsessed.
“Earl Grey cream with a graham cracker gingersnap crust. Like a cup of tea in a pie,” he chimes enthusiastically.
“Oh my god!” I’m so excited that I nearly fall out of Luca’s lap, but he’s quick as he catches me and lowers me off the chair until my feet hit the floor. There’s no controlling the little happy dance I do. Basically, I just throw my arms up and squiggle them around while matching the same energy with my hips. “With lavender flakes?”
He purses his lips and strokes his chin like a mad genius. It’s hot, and my brain pulls its regular where he’s concerned and shorts out. “I like the idea, but not lavender. Maybe vanilla? Chocolate?”
I leap up and down in the air. How that doesn’t send the cats scrambling, I don’t know. I have to get it together and contain myself before I go bouncing around this room and fling myself straight into the stratosphere. “Raspberry!”
“Yes! My god, yes!” he exclaims.
I take his hands and tug him out of the chair. He springs up, flings his hands around my waist, and spins me around in an impromptu dance. My head is spinning, my feet are barely touching the floor, and I can’t remember the last time I was ever this happy.
As soon as Luca stops spinning me, I grab my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans. Since I’m not going to be able to write our ideas down fast enough, I just open the voice note app. “Walk me through it,” I instruct Luca. His eagerness and incandescent joy right now are so sexy that I’m going to be incinerated into a pile of ash before we get through this.
The pie will be worth it, though. So worth it.
It’s going to be a one-of-a-kind pie. Something the four of us bring to life.
Even if it’s somehow been done before, or if we don’t win anything in the end, we’ll have these moments, this creation, this time, and this newfound happiness.