Page 31 of Amore
I remembered her name from when I was eavesdropping on his phone call. Candace was his girlfriend.
“I saw your car as I was driving by.”
“I’m not staying.”
“You’re going back to her house?”
“I told you I can’t leave her alone.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
He said nothing at first. “She’s a friend. Nothing more. Plus, she’s dating someone.”
“And why isn’t he staying with her?”
Because he hasn’t bothered to call me in two days after we spent a few hours at an exclusive sex club.
“Because I’m setting up cameras, changing her locks. Shit he can’t do,” Luke replied.
“But why do you have to spend the night?”
“Tonight is the last night.”
“Where did you sleep last night?”
I walked away to give them their privacy, even though they were having the conversation out in the open. There was no one else around, but if his neighbors on either side of him were to open their doors, they would hear. I had no idea why Luke wouldn’t take Candace into his apartment and have the talk behind closed doors.
Taking Amore by the leash, I walked around the building and headed back toward Luke’s car. As I approached, I saw Candace walking toward the parking lot. Should I wave? Say hello? Did she know I heard most of her conversation?
Pretending I had no idea who she was, I put my hat-covered head down as I approached Luke’s two-door car. I opened the passenger side door, pulled the seat forward, and let Amore jump into the back.
“Hello, Frankie,” she called.
Amore growled, and I looked up to see Candace walking toward me. “Hello,” I replied with a fake smile. If Luke and I became friends for longer than two nights, I knew I would have to see her around. So, being the actress that I was, I pretended I had no idea who she was. I didn’t like her, and I knew why, but it wasn’t her fault.
It was my heart’s.
“I just wanted to introduce myself.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Candace, Luke’s girlfriend.”
“Oh, hi.” I stuck out my hand with a huge smile on my face. “Thank you so much for being understanding about this whole thing. I wouldn’t know what to do if it wasn’t for him.”
“Probably called your own boyfriend to stay with you?” She laughed, her tone mocking.
“Yeah, but he would have to pay someone to do everything Luke is doing, and after someone got past my alarm, I’m not sure I can trust anyone else.” It was the truth. It bothered me that someone had gotten in with my alarm still activated. It made no sense.
Before anything else was said, Luke came into view. He looked between us, shook his head slightly, and said, “I see you two have met.”
“I just came over to introduce myself.” Candace grabbed his arm and latched on, leaning her head on his shoulder as they faced me.
My fake smile reappeared. “Yes, and I was just telling her how grateful I am that you’re keeping me safe.”
“All right, well”—Luke looked at his girlfriend—“I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Don’t be late.” She stood on her tippy toes and kissed him.
I looked away, memories of the night we’d kissed in my treehouse coming back to me. Did she know we were each other’s firsts? Did she know her boyfriend had once loved me? Maybe that was why she appeared to be threatened by me. She was staking her claim on him and making sure I knew.
Candace walked off, and Luke and I got into his Mustang. Amore nudged Luke’s neck, wanting to be loved on, and Luke didn’t hesitate to give my dog a rub on the head as though he hadn’t seen him less than ten minutes prior.
