Page 67 of All at Once

My entire posture shifts. My heart almost stops. My reflex is to pull him in even closer. But I know I can’t.

I’veneverfelt something like this. Ahughas never felt like this.

I can barely breathe. I can’t think of anything. I don’t even know where I am. I’ve lost all sense of logic. Yet my body is feeling everything.Everywhere.

I’m trying to forget how his weight feels gently pressed against mine. I’m hoping to erase how I feel each of his fingers over my back. Maybe after tonight, I won’t even remember the way his golden strands are tickling my cheek as the side of my face brushes along his neck.

But the intoxicating smell of his hair and skin are enough to distract me completely from the fact that he’s barely even a friend.

I don’t know how long we’re stuck in this position.

Long enough for me to conclude that this hug feelsmore intimate than any kiss I’ve had so far.

We all cling onto things that make us feel alive, that give us hope. For me, romance has always been that glimmer of hope. And now. To feel his body meld into mine completely. It’sromantic. It’sraw. It’sperfect.

CHAPTER 11

“The Other Side Of The Door (Taylor’s Version)” – Taylor Swift

I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUTthat hug.

It’s all I see when I close my eyes. And all I think about when I open them again.

It was just a hug though. Only a hug.I keep telling myself.

Yet nothing about it felt like one two acquaintances would share. Or even friends.

Although, this is howIfelt about it.

What about how Luca feels?

What about Enrique? I remember how excited I was when I first got here, and even more so how much I wished we could have worked out years ago. Getting a second chance like thishasto be fate.

On that same note, I don’t have any tangible proof that hints Luca is more interested in me than he is, and so the best thing to do is to drop whatever’s going on in my head right now completely. After all, it probably isjustin my head.

After barely getting much sleep last night, I leave my bed far earlier than I would have liked this morning, deciding to go lounge by the pool.

Luca knocks on my door shortly after I’ve returned to my room, offering to go with him to select snacks for our movie night.

_________

The rain’s already started when we arrive back at Luca’s suite, where Enrique suggested spending the evening in. After carrying in a bunch of paper bags from the local grocery store, I set the few in my arms on the counter by the television and try to remove my coat first.

The one time I randomly decided to pack a coat with me, it just had to be the only one with a zipper that’s practically broken. And it’s also not wanting to budge at the moment.

I try to fidget around with it, hoping I can fix it on my own, not particularly wanting to ask Luca for his help.

He’s barely looked at me since we left. Maybe I’m just overthinking, but Luca’s also more observant than this. Something in the air just feelsoff. Yet I can’t quite put my finger onwhatit is.

I glance at him, while my skin continues to get warmer. “Luca, my jacket,” I finally blurt out.

“What about it?” he asks dryly, his eyes still avoidant as he unpacks the bags.

Okay, this feelsintentional.

“The zipper’s stuck,” I explain, puzzled.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Luca says, his sarcasm also different, resembling the one he used during our first interaction.

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