Page 36 of Shiver

It helps that Luca’s slowly proven to not be the asshole I’d pegged him for, so for his benefit, I work to cool my rising temper.

Moments pass as we wait, but his dark brows shoot up his forehead when he sees her. She’s wearing a light-blue, floral-printed sundress, making her way toward us from the parking lot. Her golden-blonde hair hangs like a curtain over her smooth, tanned shoulders. She’s gorgeous, and it twists my stomach into knots.1

Luca stands with Gia tightly bundled in his arms. He greets her politely, placing a kiss on either cheek, the same way his family greets everyone.

Despite her put-together appearance, I can tell she’s not holding herself together as well as her outfit might suggest. Her eyes are a bright blue, even brighter, with the red rim of her swollen lids surrounding them and the dark circles fighting their way through her concealer.

I can’t imagine how difficult this is, and my heart aches for her.

“Ms. Perez.” Her sad eyes meet mine. “Thank you so much for doing this,” she says, hesitating as her eyes bounce between me and Luca. “I know this isn’t something you usually do for your clients, but”—her voice cracks—“I’m so thankful.”

A fissure runs through the center of my heart, and all of my earlier frustrations flow out with the blood inside.

I give her a small smile, doing my best to stay out of their way. I’ve never acted as a chaperone to a couple of grown adults before, but I’d imagine I’m supposed to stay quiet and out of the way.

Her big doe eyes look up at Luca. “I’m sorry I was late. Truthfully, I debated not coming at all. Probably a hundred times, but I’m glad I finally made it,” she tells him as she averts her gaze to Gia.

A tear slips down her cheek, and discomfort ripples through me at being here and watching this display of raw emotion. I can’t help but feel like I have no business being here, but I’ll stay unless they tell me to leave.

I remind myself that I’m here for Gia and formy client.

“I’m glad you did too. You want to hold her?” he asks with a hopeful lilt to his voice.

She shakes her head, and surprise jolts through me that she wouldn’t want to hold Gia, but I have to remind myself that she’s figuring out how to trust herself with her again.

“I’m sorry, I’m just…” she stutters, chewing on the raw skin of her bottom lip for a moment before finishing what she had been trying to say. “I’m not ready for that yet. Can I just, um…”—she rubs the back of her neck—“sit next to you while you play with her?”

His voice is soft and comforting as he answers her. “Of course, Cici. How about I set up a blanket in the grass, and she can do some tummy time?”

She nods, and his eyes meet mine. “Would you mind holding her while I grab a blanket from the car?”

The question startles me, but I don’t hesitate, nodding my head in response.

A grin pulls at his lips as he brings her to me, placing her in my arms. She yawns, waking from her car-ride-induced nap. As she looks up at me, her face begins turning red, and I know the waterworks are coming. “Shh,” I tell her. “It’s okay. Your daddy is just getting a blanket. He’ll be right back.”

Thankfully, this works to soothe her, and she calms down, sticking her fist in her mouth and sucking. A laugh escapes me as I gaze down at her, and when she pulls her slobbery hand from her mouth, Luca’s beside me, ready and waiting with a wet wipe.

“You’ve got a little drool there, Gia,” he says with a lopsided smirk as his eyes flit between his daughter and me. “Don’t worry, I understand. Samara isdefinitelysomething to drool over.” He winks at me.

And that wink settles straight in my core.

Jesus Christ.

After wiping her hand and face, he lays out the blanket and pulls Gia into his arms, swapping with me before setting her gently on the blanket. He helps Cecily sit and looks over at me in question. I shake my head, having very little desire to join this family reunion any more than I already am.

Over the next hour, I sit several feet away,tryingandfailingto pay attention to the words on my screen. I’m doing my best to not appear as if I’m eavesdropping, but it’s hard not to when the most gorgeous man in the world is lying beside a literal supermodel with their perfect kid, just feet from you.

Cecily gets more comfortable with Luca and Gia, and by the end of the visit, she’s managed to hold Gia for a couple of minutes before depositing her back into Luca’s waiting arms.

They look like the picture-perfect family, living the American dream. I’m sure if you give them a few years, they’ll have two and a half kids and be living in a ranch-style home in the suburbs.

I don’t know why that thought bothers me so much; besides, Luca’s given absolutely no indication that he even wants a relationship with Cecily. I barely even tolerate Luca, and as soon as Kat’s wedding is over and I’ve completed my end of the dare, he’ll be nothing but a distant memory.

1. Who Is She 2 U (Recall Version) — Brandy

Chapter thirty-two

Luca

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