Page 66 of All at Once

When he puts his phone back into his pocket, I ask, “Was that your mom?” I don’t know why I assume this other than the fact that it’s the first time he didn’t speak any English around me.

“Uh, yeah,” he says. “Sorry. We usually speak in Spanish.”

I quickly shake my head. “Don’t apologize. I completely understand. I also appreciate how you guys speak English around me, but it’s not necessary. If you want to speak in Spanish, I would also understand that.”

Luca’s smile is back.God,I missed his smile.

He crosses his arms playfully, with a tilt of his head. “Is this your way of letting me know that you’re going to start learning some Spanish?”

“Honestly, I do want to learn it. And what better place to start than here?” When he chuckles, I ask, “What? What is itnow?”

“I’m just imagining the moment you try to say something that doesn’t translate itself literally.”

“Thank you for believing in me. You’re super encouraging.”

“No, I think it’s great,” he says coyly as I notice his tongue almost brush the corner of his mouth. “I just hope I’m there to see it.”

I nudge his shoulder playfully.

But my plan backfires when my fingers sense how firm his chest really feels through his sweater.

“Quick question,” I say, immediately changing the subject to divert my attention.

“Yeah?” he asks.

Considering how relaxed he looks right now, I assume he thinks I’m about to ask another question regarding experience, so I tentatively ask, “Why did you make up that excuse yesterday on the hike?”

Luca’s shoulders visibly tense up, but he quickly regains his composure. “You told me that you wanted to be alone with Enrique?”

“I know, but I wasn’t expecting you to do that.”

“I didn’t mind skipping it altogether, but Sofia was really looking forward to going since she’s been a lot busier this summer. I thought maybe leaving some time for you guys to be together at the end at least would be better than nothing.”

A smile begins to form across my lips. “Luca, that’s such a sweet thing to do. Thank you.”

He shrugs as if this was nothing. “Oh, don’t mention it. I know how important this is for you.”

My eyes start to tingle. But in a happy way, wondering how silly I’m about to sound since it was such a small gesture. Though to me,it’severything.

“I know it might sound a little weird,” I confess,“but I think this is without a doubt one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.”

“I didn’t do anything, really. But that’s sweet,” he says timidly, while I marvel at how I manage to find more shades of blue each time I meet his eyes, this time spotting the tiniest flecks of sapphire.

Before I choke on my next words, I continue, “I’m still confused though. Why weren’t you the one who brought it up?”

“I thought it might be weird if I said anything,” he explains. “Knowing you, it might have gotten in your head. Likeright now.”

Knowing you.The words making my stomach fill with summersaults.

I also note how Luca usually would smirk after saying those words, but his smile right now looks more vulnerable.Raw almost.

Ignoring his joke, I take the chance to tell him exactly what I think of him right this very moment. “You’re a very thoughtful person, I hope you know that.”

Not thinking any of this through, I then move forward to give him a hug.

When my skin meets his, Luca’s body immediately stiffens beneath my touch, freezing for a second with his hands still by his sides.

I’m about to pull away, wondering if this wasn’t the right thing to do, when I feel his hands gently wrap around my waist.

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