Page 81 of Back Room Host

“Okay! Let’s go,” Luca announced behind me, and I turned around. Freshly showered, he grinned as he zipped up his jacket. “Or do you want to stay longer?”

“No,” I replied and laughed. “Of course not.”

“That’s good. Because Dario ordered me to eat something before work.”

After saying goodbye to his trainer, we went back home.

The weekend turned out to be much livelier than I had anticipated. Luca not only convinced me to visit the zoo but also persuaded me to join him at the lake the following day. By the end of each adventure, I found myself utterly drained, often nodding off on the couch while Luca remained engrossed in whatever movie we had started watching.

I slept a lot and noticed a shift in my sleep patterns in the past few days. Maybe it was because of the sex that I had missed in the first few weeks here with Luca. In any case, now that I was having sex again, I felt somehow much more relaxed than before. But maybe it was also because of the drugs that I inevitably abstained from.

On Wednesday, I woke up again while the credits of a movie were rolling. Without moving, I lay there and watched Luca grab the remote and browse through the channel guide.

We spent the entire day together, and I cherished every moment with him. Not once did I think about my work, the many job applications, or drugs. Whether consciously or not, Luca was great at distracting me. Plus, in the last six days, I had made a lot of progress—and not just in photography.

I could already ascend a flight of stairs without feeling as though I would cough up my lungs afterward. I owed part of this progress to Luca, who, whenever we rode the elevator to the fourth floor, insisted we walk the final flight of stairs.

He’s nice, I thought, silently observing him.And cute too. I think I’ll somehow miss him when I’m not here anymore.

The fact that I would soon be moving out had never been mentioned. We both knew that day would come. Besides, I was sure Luca would be glad when I was gone.

In the past few days, I had tried my best to help out around the house. I even cooked once and cleaned up the kitchen.

Nevertheless … I’m sure he’ll be glad when I’m gone soon.

Too bad, really.

When I became aware of my thoughts, I sighed.

Damn, why am I even thinking about this?

Yet, deep down, I understood why. The guy had gotten under my skin. And that wasn’t good at all. What did I expect? Once I walked out of here, I returned to the life of a callboy.Ridiculous to even think about that.

At that moment, Luca turned his head and smiled at me. “Awake again, sleepyhead?”

I avoided melting because his smile was incredibly charming. Instead, I sat up and rubbed my face. We had had sex after every movie for the last few nights, but right now, I didn’t feel like it at all. “I’m going to bed,” I mumbled and disappeared into the bathroom.

However, the thought wouldn’t leave me alone. Yes, Luca had gotten under my skin, but at the same time, I hardly knew anything about him. Despite numerous interviews where I shared details of my life, he remained notably reticent.

Does that have to do with being bullied?

Or does he think I won’t be interested?

No. He dodges every question I ask. But I should be the one keeping quiet, shouldn’t I?

With the toothbrush in my mouth, I paused and stared at my reflection in the mirror.

How did he manage to make me talk so freely?

That sneaky …

I couldn’t find a word. Luca was just too kind, too helpful, accommodating, and caring for me to curse him.

Damn it …

But a relationship is definitely out of the question.

Shaking my head, I continued brushing my teeth. The fact that I was even thinking about it was proof that I had becomeway too soft. We’re having fun together, that’s all. Besides, in my line of work, love doesn’t belong.

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