Page 21 of All at Once

“It’s one of my favorite books,” Luca says.

Surprised to hear this, I can’t tell if he’s reading the page as he continues to focus on the bright reflection, until he abruptly meets my gaze. To which I almost drop my Kindle.Again.

It’s a good thing it’s this dark so he doesn’t notice me blush.

For someone who arguably holds the best eye contact I’ve ever seen, it’s surprising how I don’t break it first like I’d usually do around other guys who aren’t even close to being this cute.

It probably has something to do with the fact that Ialsocannot stand him. Which means I’mnotoverthinking things.

Remembering how I saw him just now, I take the chance and mock, “And looks like you also stare at your phone while walking, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah 2 am when there’s no one around isexactlythe same,” he dishes back. “So you enjoy reading while getting bitten by bugs?”

“This isn’t so bad. Look.” I point toward the pool and explain, “It’s like this one scene fromHigh School Musical 2.” I pause, not knowing if he’s even watched the movie. “There’s this pool scene where Gabriella and Troy sneak out in the middle of the night to go swimming together when they finally have a chance to be alone.”

“I know the scene,” Luca says amusedly.

A comforting warmth fills me for some reason, just for the fact that he got my reference as I continue on with my crucial point, “I’d say this location is as romantic as it gets for reading.”

He scoffs. “Of coursethat’syour reference for romance.”

“What’syourreference?Jurassic Park?” I deadpan.

“How did you know?” Luca gets up, taking his endless sarcasm with him. “Be careful, legends say that dinosaurs come out of these very bushes at this hour.”

“Goodnight.” I roll my eyes, while also losing count at how many times I’ve tried not to laugh at his remarks today.

He turns around and nods, but barely, as I’m still affected by his eyes from a noticeably greater distance. Briefly also forgetting about my nerves for tomorrow.

That was the sort of conversation that could have lasted through the night.

Not that I particularly wanted him to join me. But why am I this disappointed that he left so quickly?

I ponder one pressing question as I forget about my eBook altogether.

Why did Enrique’s friend have to bethis cute?And to my extreme dismay,this funny.

CHAPTER 4

“Lavender Haze” – Taylor Swift

TIME MOVES AGONIZINGLY SLOWLY WHEN you’re anticipating something.

After Luca left last night and my mind was no longer distracted, the anxiousness came flooding back. So much so that the past 12 hours have felt more like 48 hours. I bet if I wasn’t thinking this much about the variety of different outcomes that could result throughout the evening, we’d probably be at the club by now.

So I’ve decided to focus on the things I can control instead: curling my hair with enough hairspray that’ll shield my waves from the humidity and drawing a sharp cat eye that’s somehow even on both eyes. Despite these distractions, the potential scenarios keep returning while I struggle to decide what to wear tonight.

My red cocktail dress is by far my favorite item that I packed for this trip, but it’s also probably the shortest dress I’ve ever tried on, and definitely shorter than what I’m used to. Hoping I’ll feelmore confident to wear it later on, I decide on a violet midi dress for now.

I look for my beige heels when my phone screen lights up with a new message from Enrique:

Enrique: Hey, you’re going to hate me, but I can’t make it for dinner. One of the lobby managers had to leave early so until the next shift, I can’t leave

The wide smile glued to my face before reading the actual message vanishes in an instant.

I do what any girl who’s completely crushed by a guy’s text message to her does. Reply like I’m not hurt whenI am hurt. Very much so.

Jasmine: No worries. Thank you for letting me know

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