“Then,you stay here. I have an extra bedroom. It’ll be like college.”
Ashley laughed. “We almost killed each other in college.”
“This time,I promise not to fuck someone four feet away from your bed.” I held up three fingers. “Girl Scout’s honor.”
She nodded. “Okay. Thank you,Sash.”
I grabbed my phone. Ashley clearly needed me.
“Who are you texting?” Ashley had finally grabbed a tissue and blew her nose.
“Luca. We have dinner plans, but you’re more important.”
Shesnatched my phone before I could send off the message. “Don’t cancel. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
She gave me a sad smile. “I am. I just need a little alone time.”
“Fine, but I still have a couple of hours before I need to head over.”
Grabbing a throw pillow, Ashley cuddled into my side and grabbed the remote. “Great, we can make it to the season finale.”
* * *
“Ohdamn, Sasha. If Luca doesn’t put out tonight, I will.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”Winking at Ashley, I slipped on my heels.
Her laughter followed me as I walked out the front door.
Even though it was only a fifteen-minute drive to Luca’s, it felt like an eternity. I was fucking nervous, which was ridiculous.
Finding a parking spot right in front of his duplex, I pulled in and shut the car off. I checked my lipstick, my hair, the backs of my earrings, pretty much anything to delay this date.
“Come on. It’s just dinner. Get out of the fucking car.”
Dragging my feetto his front door, I shook out my hands. With my fist raised to knock, I jumped back when the door flew open. Adriana rushed out, a scowl twisting her pretty face.
Luckily, I took a step back and avoided a collision.
“Oh, shoot! Sorry about that.” She frowned at my emerald bandage dress. “Sasha, isn’t it?”
As I was about to answer, Luca rushed out the door.
“Adriana, don’t be thatwa—” His eyes landed on me, and he swallowed. “Sasha! You’re here!”
“I am.” I awkwardly smiled at Luca while I kept glancing back at the sad, angry woman standing a foot away.
Luca pulled me to his chest for a tight hug. The smell of his cologne and Italian spices wrapped around me. His solid body against me felt right. We fit together.
When he pulled away, Adriana surprised me by still standing there staring at us, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Muttering a curse, she spun around and ran into her apartment.
The door slammed, and Luca rested his hand on it. “Damn it.”
Awkwardness settled around us. I didn’t know what the deal was with his sister-in-law, but obviously, there was something about me she didn’t like.
“Should I go? I don’t want to upset anyone.”