“What’s up?” he asked, his voice gentle.
“That bitch Stella. That’s what’s up.”
“What’s she been up to now?”
“She told me to stay away from you because you belong to her. You need to do something about her. Honestly, Luke, she’s a psycho nymphomaniac. I swear she needs to go to a sex addict’s clinic.”
He swallowed hard and looked over my shoulder. I guess he thought she might be behind me.
“Don’t worry, when she grabbed me, I pushed her to the ground. I’m not getting into a cat fight with her, but I’m not dealing with her shitty behaviour either.”
My anger was beginning to rise, and I was shaking. Luke moved closer to me, placing his hands on my shoulders.
“Breathe, Fliss. Just breathe. Deep breaths in and out.”
His voice was so gentle and calming. Watching him, I took deep breaths. After a few minutes, I felt my anger recede.
“Better now?”
I looked up into his eyes. A bit cheesy, I know, but I really could have drowned in them. “Much. Thanks, Luke.”
For one moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. I saw the indecision in his eyes. He sighed and dropped his hands. The loss I felt was instant.
“My pleasure,” I heard him murmur as he walked away.
* * *