Page 32 of Spring Tide

My throat constricts. “Well, it’s not really ... it’s more so a feeling.”

“Okay, now you really have to tell me.”

“Fine,” I groan, pushing my plate away, wincing as it scrapes against the table. “My type is just someone who’s content with—”

“Luc!” I’m cut off by the sound of my sister’s high-pitched yell. “You in there?”

“It’s me,” I call back, breathing a sigh of relief. “In the dining room.”

I flash Harper an apologetic smile. She playfully rolls her eyes, palms pressed against the edge of the table. Her heels are shaking, tapping off the leg of the chair while she waits.

As Taylor’s footsteps grow closer, I scrub a nervous hand through my hair. When she finally enters the room, her eyes go wide, darting between Harper and me. “Who do we have here, little brother?”

“Taylor, this is Harper.” I gesture across the table. “My, uh ... we’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks now. Harper, this is my sister, Taylor.”

Harper pushes out of her seat, scrambling to embrace my sister in a hug. “It’s so great to meet you.” She pulls back, gaze darting to the table. “Do you like tacos? I brought a bunch from this great place down the street.”

“I love tacos.” Taylor flashes me an impressed grin, wide-eyed and giddy as she settles in beside me. “Did you bring any hot sauce, by chance?”

“Loads of it,” Harper says.

“Just my kind of girl.”

11

HARPER

Taylor isone of the sweetest, funniest people I’ve ever met. The two of us clicked right off the bat, like long-lost friends who both share an affinity for tacos, hot sauce, and teasing Luca until he’s red in the face.

Not to mention, we’re both women in STEM. There’s some sort of power in that, I think, a sort of kinship between two of the most important women in Luca’s life. Not that I’m conflating my own sense of self-worth.

Believe me, I know this is only a temporary relationship. A mutually beneficial agreement. I know I’m just providing a service or a simple swap of secrets, but I’d like to think we’re building a real friendship here.

Luca’s a cool person. And I enjoy being around him, even when he’s a little agitated and a lot flustered. It’s funny. And sweet. I initially thought he was just a shy person, that he might need some extra time to warm up, but I’m starting to understand him differently now.

Luca isn’t shy, necessarily. He’s just careful and private and sensitive. He clearly works himself to the bone, yet he opts to suffer in silence. When push comes to shove, Luca never pretends to be someone he’s not. Those are all qualities I admire, regardless of how outwardly standoffish he might seem.

I consider him a friend now, and I’m sure hoping it lasts past this little arrangement.

“I’m gonna take Harper back to my room,” Luca announces, pushing himself from the table. His hands fold in front of his waist, pressing together before dropping to his sides. “We’re, uh—we have plans to watch a movie tonight.”

“Well, don’t let me stop you.” Taylor chuckles softly, tilting back in her chair and rubbing both hands across her stomach. “Thanks again for the tacos, Happy.”

“Happy?” I ask, cheeks scrunching with a smile.

“Thought it was fitting.” She lifts a brow in her brother’s direction. “Harper—Happy, ’cause you’re just a little ball of joy. Not to mention, you clearly make my brother—”

“Andthat’s enough of that.” Luca clears his throat, fingers cautiously looping around my elbow. He meets my gaze. “You ready?”

“Of course,” I murmur. “Let’s go ... watch that movie.” I lift up from the table myself, drifting around the back of Taylor’s chair. My fingers curl around her shoulders as I impart a quick, gentle squeeze. “It was great to meet you, Taylor. I’d love to do this again.”

Her head tilts back. “Please, bring me tacos anytime,” she says with a wiggle of her brows. “Nothing would make me happier.”

“You got it,” I promise.

Luca silently nods down the hallway, beckoning me to follow his lead. I trail behind him until we reach the last door on the left. Once we push inside, I carefully survey my surroundings.

It’s surprisingly bright inside his bedroom.

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