Page 46 of Tempting Me

Too many emotions are running through me right now, because not only do I agree with his thought process on going alone to a date that doesn't exist, but his comment about my family hits home.

We’ve let one bad choice dictate our opinion of him since, and here he is, being considerate of them.

Clearly, the Luca from back then and the Luca now are not the same person. Well, they’re a little the same but still different.

“What time is your date?” he asks, ready to move on with the subject.

Against my better judgment, I say, “It’s at 5.”

“In three hours. Jesus, Shay. I’ll be back in an hour to pick you up.”

I give him a nod that says I can’t wait and then I tack on a thumb’s-up.

As soon as he’s out the door, I pull my phone from my back pocket and dial Grace’s number.

“Hey, babe, what’s up?”

“Can you meet me at my house?”

“Oh, wow, now?”

“Yes, it’s urgent.”

“How urgent?”

“Like I just told Luca that I had a date with a stranger in Wind Valley tonight and then he demanded that he drive me to make sure I stay safe urgent.”

“Well, that doesn't sound too bad. It's sort of sweet, really.”

“Yes, it’s wonderful. He's a true gentleman. Blah, blah, blah. But there is one problem.”

“Okay?”

“I made the date up, and he’s picking me up in an hour.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. Can you meet me?”

“I’m walking out the door now.”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

We end the call, and I check in with my small staff to let them know I’m leaving early tonight. Then I rush home to get ready for the date I don’t have.

“You’resure you tried everyone you know in Wind Valley?”

I’m just adding matching gold earrings to my statement necklace as I speed walk through my kitchen to look out the front window.

“I swear, I tried them all.”

“Ugh. Okay This is on me. This is what I get for lying.”

“It could be fun if you let it. I mean, tell him you're going somewhere near that shop with the glass bookshelves. You like the coffee there, and you could sit in one of those big fluffy chairs and read for an hour, then say the date ended early and meet back up with Luca.”

I pause and look at my best friend. My genius best friend.

“I’m definitely doing that,” I tell her and then look out the window again.

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