Page 101 of All at Once

He may be running his fingers nonchalantly through his tousled hair as a reflex. But it’s not enough to brush off the warmth that’s covering his flushed cheeks. Although, my skin must be three shades even brighter.

I need to sit. Even though I’malreadysitting.

We almost get up in unison, mimicking the same flustered laugh the other gives.

He goes to get a glass of water.

I rush toward his bathroom. For no other reason but to take a long, extended breath. Hoping it will dispel the euphoric taste in my mouth.

I can’t erase the way Luca was holding me. The way it felt so effortless. So consuming. And how I didn’t want either of us to let go.

Did he sense how badly Iwantedhim?

Did he feel the same electricity that stopped time in my mind for a moment?

CHAPTER 16

“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” – Taylor Swift

WHEN ENRIQUE INVITED US TO the wedding, we quickly realized that this was his way of telling us any extra help at the reception itself would be much appreciated.

As I’m approaching the lobby and notice Luca walking toward the gardens, I realize just how well I’d shut out the events from this morning. But now, all it took was a glance. A glance from his eyes, that slams so hard into me, it might as well be the wildest wave that brings Every. Single. Detail. From earlier back to the forefront of my mind.

“You lookravishing,” he says seriously. Or at least he’stryinghis best to sound serious, his humor momentarily taking my attention off the more distracting memory.

My brows crease, while I blink a few times trying to process the compliment. “That didn’t quite land the way I thought it would.”

“Yeah, I didn’t think it did either,” he says.

“It was a little cringy actually.” I bite back my smile.

His lips part. “Okay, I wouldn’t go as far as to say that…” Then his smile fades. “You look really beautiful though.”

You know how I described the goosebumps when my head was nuzzled along his neck? Yeah, scratchallof that.This. This is the strongest I’ve felt goosebumps reach all the way down to the tips of my toes that they almost curl against my strappy heels.

And it seems like my efforts paid off. Considering how I basically got ready for tonight in a way where in the back of my mind, I hoped it would impress Luca. The way it now looks like ithas.

I chose a simple navy-blue strapless dress and placed my hair in a half braid when I’m usually shit at doing braids. Yet I made sure I practiced enough for it to lookgoodtonight. And how I meticulously decided on a fragrance that smells like sea breeze mixed with citrus and a hint of vanilla.

Come to think of it, I got ready as if I’m about to go on a date. But without having the date yet. And arriving in a way that would make the other person wish that it was one. Aka me dancing with myownemotions in this summer dress.

Although, it looks like Luca also dressed to impress.Me?I can’t quite say. But why else is he wearing a light cornflower blue dress shirt that is the most striking color I’ve seen on him? A shade that complements his dirty blonde hair so well. Oh and his black dress pants that are fitted devastatingly well that my jitteriness from the lingering espresso starts to take it’s full effect.

Maybe it’s a good thing Enrique extended an invitation to us for tonight. At least this can temporarily redirect my attention away from Luca. And how his body felt brushed up against mine on his apartment floor. How for a moment I felt the comforting yet strong grip of his arm wrapped around my shoulder. How I need tostopthinking about all of this before I feel dizzy again.

_________

The wedding itself is beautiful. The bride and groom exchange vows in the late afternoon sun on the spanning patio of the resort. String lights hang above the guests sitting in the audience, creating what I know will be a cozy feel once we lose all daylight.

Flowers are overgrown purposefully for this occasion and scattered everywhere you look, making it feel like a secret garden of sorts. It feels romantic. And perfect. I can’t help the wistful smile I feel creep across my face as the bride and groom kiss, the minister pronouncing them husband and wife.

I want that.So bad.A knot in my stomach tightens, hoping I can have that one day. Wishing it will all feeljust as magical as everyone makes it out to be.Wonderingwhoit might be standing across fromme.

As the happy couple makes their way up the aisle, I see Enrique approaching from my periphery. He’s been running around all day, looking handsome and poised to guests yet stressed and disheveled when nobody is looking. When we got back this morning, Luca took the cakes to him while I went up to my room to get ready, so this is the first time I’m seeing him since yesterday.

“Hey,” he says as he sidles up to me, exhaling a deep breath. “I feel like a wedding planner.”

I laugh because, in this moment, helookslike a wedding planner. “Hey. You never know. Maybe that’s your calling,” I tease.

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