Page 108 of Tempting Me

“Does Luca know you went to the bank?” Sadie asks. She’s picking at the rim of her drink instead of looking at me.

“No. I … I thought … I don’t know what I thought, but no, and I don’t want him to know.”

I don’t think he would judge me, but I want him to be proud of me, and how can he do that if I'm not even proud of myself right now?

“Ugh. Let’s talk about something else. I’m getting all sad, and I don't want that.”

“Okay, so then let’s talk about Sadie’s bachelorette party,” Brooke says, knowing the perfect topic to turn to.

“I’m not getting married until next summer,” Sadie reminds her.

“So, it’s never too early to start planning.”

And that's what we do for the rest of the night. Before I know it, girls’ night comes to an end.

We exchange hugs, and I’m just about to walk out the door when it opens and Hudson steps in, followed by Miles. They both greet their girls, and my heart swoons. Is this what it could be like if I just sucked it up? I mean what’s the worst that could happen?

Your family might make you choose between The Marina and Luca.

Right. That.

“Good night,” I call out.

Everyone sends me off with their version of goodbye, but it’s Miles’s words that stop me.

“Don’t panic when you step out that door, Shay.”

Then he winks at me.

I can’t help it, I grin like a fool and walk outside.

It’s dark, the moon the only bit of light, but it’s just enough for me to spot the man standing at the end of the driveway next door.

He looks up and grins when he spots me practically skipping toward him.

“I figure it’s dark out and people can’t s?—”

That's all he gets out before my lips are on his. His hands slink around my lower back, and he dips me back to kiss me with more passion.

“It’s perfect.”

I give him one more quick peck.

“Can I stay with you tonight?”

He nods quickly.

“Yep.”

Hand in hand, we head for his house, only to come to an abrupt stop at the end of the street. It’s dark out, and most people are in their homes in the evening. So seeing Mrs. Whittaker out walking her dog all by herself startles me.

I jump with a squeak and then take one step behind Luca. I’m not fully hidden, but I move enough to hide our laced fingers.

Or so I think.

Mrs. Whittaker’s gaze snaps right to them, and she smirks.

“Evening,” she says.

---