Page 44 of See Me

I slide off the barstool. “You did this to yourself. But good job using innate. Write that one down.”

He shoos me away. “See ya later, ovulator.”

I turn around and stare open-mouthed at him.

He holds up his phone, pointing to the dictionary app he has opened. “Almost done with the ‘O’s’. When I don’t say anything, he continues. “See, ovulator isn’t actually in here, ovulate is, and ovulation is but not ovulator.” He points to his chest. “I did that.” He stands up and stares off over my head. “I think I’m evolving.” Then he nods like it has been confirmed that he is indeed evolving.

My mouth opens and closes but I can’t think of a single thing to say to that. I shake my head all the way to the locker room.

I change quickly and go to the walk-in cooler to grab my leftovers. I’m grateful Luca saved them for me and part of me wants to personally thank him. But that would throw a wrench in my plan to be aloof and unaffected. I won’t tell you how I did a little dance when Luca grabbed my wrist and stuttered out his sentence.

He even did a little Darcy hand flex and what more signal could I possibly ask for? Did I throw the mighty asshole off kilter? Does he realize how that one little action simultaneously made him seem transparent and attainable all at the same time?

But more importantly, is taming the beast really something I have the time and energy for?

I don’t know why I’m drawn to him. I don’t know why I’m so invested in this game. Yes, it’s a little bit of light in my dark, dank life but I feel like it’s more than that. I saw a glimpse of Luca. The real Luca, in that one little action.

He’s not the Big Bad Wolf he claims to be. And if even he is, I have a trick up my sleeve. A rabbit in my hat, so to speak.

A rabbit named Jessica.

I’m greeted by a muffled bark and sloppy kiss from Henry when the elevator doors whoosh open.

I stick my hand out for him to smell. “Hey, handsome.” Instead of going after my leftovers, like any normal dog would, he shoves his cold wet nose under my shirt and takes a long sniff of my belly button. “I think you’re supposed to wait for permission before diving in raw, Henry.”

Cassie comes running up the two stairs in her pj’s and slides across the foyer in her socks. “I’m so sorry. Henry has no chill. Go lay down, you big perv.”

When he hangs his head and walks to the couch, climbing on and laying down with huff, we both laugh.

I raise the brown bag in my hand and shake it in front of her. “I brought leftovers.”

“Yes. Oh my god. These nachos are going to be life changing. I already have the fixin’s ready. Just give me a few minutes.”

I laugh at her excitement. “No problem.” I set my jacket and purse on the entry table. “Where’s Jace?”

She answers from the kitchen. “Oh, he took off with his camera a little while ago.”

“Because I was coming?”

“Maybe.” She shrugs. “Probably. Don’t be offended, though. Sometimes I’m too much for him and he needs to get out and do his own thing. Or spend all day in the gym.”

I walk past Henry and pat his head on the way to the kitchen. “So you guys are good?”

She smiles with her whole soul, if that’s even possible. The light in her eyes warms me a bit and some of the weight of the day lifts from my shoulders. “Yeah. We are. We, uh, added a little rope play in the mix. You know, when I can’t keep my hands to myself. His therapist suggested it.”

“That’s great, Cass. I’m so happy for you. And therapy has gotten really progressive.” Keep her talking about herself and maybe she won’t ask any questions. I need my girls but I’m not ready for them to find out my life is a trainwreck. “And work is going well?”

“It is. Hey, I have a proposition for you. I’m heading up to Oregon tomorrow to nail down an artist that’s playing hard to get. You want to come?” She wags her eyebrows. “Make it a girl’s trip? Jess should be back by then.”

Oh, that sounds like a dream.

“I wish I could. I still have some lesson plans for the end of the year to lay out and I’ll get the keys to my room over Christmas break. I have a million things to do and no time at all to do them.”

Translation - I have to make as much money as possible so I can afford a place to live and my students don’t find me panhandling on the corner to afford sticky notes.

Her shoulders drop. “Bummer. Let me know what I can help with. I can always take a day off and help set up your room.”

“That sounds great. I don’t want to ruin your Christmas break, though. I’ll probably spend the holiday with you guysbut the next day I’ll be working and will probably continue almost every day until the kids come back.”

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