Page 72 of Lucky
My breath also hitches slightly, caught off guard.“A relationship?”
Lucky’s lips curl, almost sheepish, but not apologetic.“Well, that’s what it is, isn’t it?I mean… it’s a dating relationship and who knows what else it will be.”
My pulse flutters.“Yeah,” I murmur, warmth blooming in my chest.“It is.”
“So,” he says, a little more relaxed now, eyes flicking to Eli, “if the internet disappears tomorrow, I’m still in this and not for the views.”
My brother looks like he wants to be skeptical, but he nods, his expression thoughtful.“Okay.Good answer.”
Beside him, Caleb lifts a brow but says nothing, while Sadie—blissfully unaware—pokes at a carrot on her plate and says, “I like him, Aunt Winnie.Can we keep him?”
The entire table laughs, but inside, something deep settles for me.Something certain.
“Well, we’re glad you brought him,” my mom says cheerfully, pushing back from the table.“Now, I made lemon meringue pie and brownies, because I couldn’t decide.Everyone go into the living room.Winnie, come help me plate.”
Lucky winks at me as he rises from the table and starts to grab plates.My mom slaps at his hand and connects, causing him to jerk back quickly with wide eyes.“You’re a guest.Go to the living room.I’m sure Caleb wants to threaten you some more.”
“Yes, ma’am.”Lucky chuckles.
As soon as we’re alone, she gives me a knowing look.“You like him.”
I snort.“Is that your motherly wisdom at work?”
“No.It’s the way you keep looking at him like you’re surprised he’s still here.”
I bite my lip.“I really do like him,” I admit, setting out forks.“More than I expected.More than I should, maybe.”
Her eyebrows draw inward.“You make it sound like that’s a problem.”
“It’s not a problem.”I sigh, as she turns to the fridge to pull out the pie.“We technically only have one more date in the experiment.And once that’s done, the pressure of making this public sort of goes away.I think we both need that.But then what?What if we step out of the spotlight and whatever this is… fizzles?”
Mom sets the pie down and pulls a knife from the drawer.“Sweetheart, if something fizzles that fast, it was never a fire to begin with.”
“I know,” I admit glumly because that’s my ultimate fear.That this wasn’t meant to be.
Mom sets the knife down and turns to me.“There’s no expiration date on something real.You don’t need a camera or a challenge or even a fifth date to keep it going.Just honesty.And a little courage.”
I nod, throat tight.Of course I know all this, but having my mom say it… it seems more legit.
“Besides,” she says, tossing her head toward the living room.“You heard what Lucky said.All that online stuff is irrelevant to him and I think you should consider the same.You can step away if it’s too much.”
“But my followers are watching… expecting.”
“You owe them nothing,” she challenges.
“But see… I do.That’s part of the job of being an influencer.”
“Do you hear yourself?”
I frown at her.“What do you mean?I said it’s part of the job of being an influencer.That’s what it is.”
“No,” she says with a shake of her head.“Not what you said, but the way you said it.I don’t hear joy in your voice.It doesn’t sound like a very fun job right now.”
She heard that, huh?I decide to own it.“I wasn’t prepared for the negative backlash.People saying I’m not good enough.It messes with my head a bit.”
My mom’s lips curve into a fond smile.“I saw Lucky’s comments from your post last night.I think that’s the only opinion that should matter to you.”
I can’t stop my dreamy smile.“Yeah… that was pretty amazing.”
