Page 148 of All at Once

“What are those stringy things in the air?”

“Broccoli.”

My laughter seeps through a little this time. “For the goats?”

“Yes,” he confirms. “For the goats.”

“Why are they in the air like that? Were they falling from the sky?” I ask, failing not to smile.

“They’re not in the air,” he corrects. “They were meant to be on the grass but in the background.”

“Do goats even eat broccoli?”

He shrugs obliviously. “I have no fucking clue.”

I can’t hold it in any longer. I’m full on laughing now.

After setting the piece back down onto the table, I face toward him. “You know…” My fingers trace the edges of his grey blue shirt as I fix the collar. “This issomuch better than your first painting that I saw in the gallery.”

Luca tilts his head up with a smirk. “Are you hitting on me in front of my mom?”

Before I can even respond, Alba walks back near the table. “I think I better get going now.” She kisses Luca’s cheeks before kissing mine as well. “It was very nice meeting you Jasmine. Feel free to stay as long as you’d like.”

“Thank you so much. It was lovely meeting you as well,” I say as Luca and I walk with her to the door.

As soon as she leaves, I turn around and try my best to stay nonchalant. “Tell me…” Luca almost roll his eyes as Iflutter my lashes. “Exactlyhowmany times did you talk to your mom about me?”

“Too many to keep count,” he teases as he starts playing with the ends of my sundress.

Trying to avoid looking down at his hands, I struggle to maintain my posture. “So what did you tell her?”

“The usual.” He raises his brows at me. “How I was on the brink of insanity being around you so much.”

I bite down on my smile. “And what did she say?”

“She accused me of liking you which I don’t really see how she’d deduce.”

“Ah, okay,” I play along. “Because you don’t?” I narrow my eyes at him teasingly as I move in a bit closer.

“I really…” I shudder when the warmth of his touch enters the bottom of my dress. Then his voice gets deeper. “Really…” His fingers travel up my legs and past my inner thighs before he finally whispers, “Reallydon’t.” I didn’t even realize my eyes fell closed until I open them back up, only to see his smug grin as he removes his hand.

“Okay. I think youmorethan proved your point already,” I almost growl.

“I think we’re both perfectly capable of waiting another hour or two. Don’t you think?” Before I have a chance to flip him off, he adds, “Besides, I’m pretty sure Sofia’s coming home soon.”

This distracts me, although my pulse is definitely stillpulsing. “Sofia lives here?” I ask.

“Yup,” he confirms.

“That’s so nice,” I say. “I lived with my parents up until last year as well.”

Learning that Enrique and Sofia both still live with their families makes me realize how this is probably a lot more commonthan I previously recognized it to be. It’s comforting to know there are people out there who resonate with your experiences.

“I lived here until I was 23 also,” Luca shares, “until I got my own apartment.”

“I don’t think I’ve told you this yet, but I really love your apartment, Luca. It just feels so cozy.”

“Thanks,” he says so simply, yet I sense the joy written in his eyes at my compliment.

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