Page 83 of Just Trouble

He turns into the parking lot of a little restaurant on the other side of Havelock far too soon for me. It looks like a casual Italian place and smells really good. Wood-fired pizzas are advertised on the sign. I reluctantly get off the bike and whenI take off the helmet, the clip comes out of my hair. Luke bends to retrieve it for me, then smiles down at me.

“Now you’re a siren,” he murmurs, brushing his lips across mine. He looks into my eyes and smiles, his own glowing. “Leave it down?”

“Your wish is my command,” I joke and he grins. “Maybe you’ve let the djinn out of the jar.”

“Careful, Daph,” he growls. “You could end up in dangerous territory.” He doesn’t wait for an answer, just grabs my hand, and I match my step to his.

I’m thinking that there’s nowhere else I’d rather go, at least not if I can go with Luke.

Going with the flow is all new for me, but I like it.

I could even get used to it.

20

LUKE

Adate.

An actual date.

How long has it been? Truth be told, I’m not sure I’ve ever gone on a date. It’s just been hook-up after hook-up for all of my adult life, and while I liked that just fine at the time, I’m ready for something different.

Ha. Maybe I’m becoming an adult.

Maybe Daph is good for me.

Either way, I knew this had to be the place. My mom and I usually come here when I’m in town. It’s one of her favourites and with good cause. Family-owned for a couple of generations, good food at good prices, friendly and clean. I like that Daph is a little unpredictable tonight, maybe feeling punch-drunk like I am after Sylvia’s confession.

I still want to have Sierra’s back. I still want to support that kid, whatever she has to face in town. But I am relieved that she’s not mine. I feel that I can start fresh with Daph.

And there’s something different between us tonight, something electric and powerful. It shouldn’t be this way. We’ve been together already. One-and-done should have killed the tingle of anticipation. There shouldn’t be any mysteries left.

But there are. There are thousands of them, just waiting to be unravelled.

The theory that she could be The One is gaining ground.

How is it that I had no clue she looked like a goddess in jeans and boots? How could I not anticipate how she would wrap herself around me on the bike, shifting her weight instinctively, like we’d been riding together for years? How can it take my breath away when her hair tumbles in auburn waves halfway down her back? Her eyes glow when she looks at me, and I feel astonished by her all over again. She’s beautiful and smart and mischievous, both logical and passionate. I’m so honoured that she’s with me, and I never want that awe to vanish.

Tonight, she’s the bold twin of the sleek professional I’ve been seeing at the office. She’s tougher and more urban than the enticingly soft—but fierce—woman who seduced me that first time at her house. How many thousands of women are part of Daphne Bradshaw? How long will it take me to meet them all?

We sit at a corner table, our knees bumping underneath, and just talk. It’s easy, the conversation flowing readily. I tell her about progress at the café, then show her some pictures on my phone. I tell her about Noah’s pitch and love that I can make her laugh so hard. She tells me about Mike keeping the news of my arrest from Patrick and I’m surprised.

We share a big salad and a pizza that’s ridiculously good. I pass on the wine because I couldn’t bear to make a mistake on the drive home and she has water, too.

I’m more surprised when she tells me about her dad buying the Foreman place and giving it to her. I never imagined I could have any influence over someone like Richard Bradshaw, but I think it’s his love for his daughter that’s driving everything.

I’d love to have had a dad like that.

I want tobea dad like that.

“You look concerned,” she says, not missing a thing.

“It’s Sierra,” I admit.

“Aren’t you relieved?”

“Yes and no. I know how it might be for her in Empire.” I falter to silence, unable to put the tumult I’m feeling into words.

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