8. Lucian

CHAPTER 8

Lucian

" H i, Rena! I didn't expect to see you so soon!"

Serena jerks to a stop in front of me, a pair of baggy-waisted pants and a slim t-shirt on her soft curves making my breath hitch wildly. The burgundy top makes her pale cheeks blush with color.

Or is that me?

"What the hell is going on, Luke?"

"My car wouldn't start. I called Allie because she works with me at the gym and I know she doesn't work this morning. I'm gonna have to hurry up and try to get my car fixed. I don't know what's wrong with it."

She huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. My eyes drop and I swear I feel drool on my lip.

Her very bountiful chest rises and falls quickly. I jerk my eyes away, knowing she'll kill me if she sees where my eyes are looking.

"Sure. That's really convenient, Lucian."

I stand up straight and glare at her. "I told you to call me Luke. It's ridiculous that you won't call me that. We've known each other for a long time, Rena."

"I don't know you at all. It's been more than ten years since I saw you."

"So go out with me and you'll realize that I'm basically the same guy who was in love with you all those years ago."

"I don't like that guy anymore," she huffs and taps her foot. "I've got to go. I've still got another kid to pick up. Good luck with your car."

"Can you bring Connie home this afternoon?"

She growls under her breath but then she says, "Sure. I wouldn't want to disappoint Allie." She turns away. But as she stomps off, I can't help it.

"I'm not giving up, Rena."

"Doesn't matter. I did. Ages ago."

She pulls out of the driveway and I see something in her eyes that gives me hope. She looks for me and although she doesn't realize it, there's heat there. And where there's smoke there's fire, right?

I call Allie from the cordless phone. "What did you do?"

She giggles. "Helped you out a little bit. Cupid is going to have to work overtime to fix this between you and Serena."

"I'm working on it."

She huffs. "We don't have that kind of time. I'm still trying to convince her to use the office space that Ray has for rent. She's being real stubborn about it but it would be fantastic if she could open her own dance studio in town. I know a ton of moms that would be bringing their daughters to her."

"Uh-huh. And she's being difficult. You do remember how Rena has always been, don't you? She doesn't just take stuff in stride. She tends to be a bit of a hard sell."

"Yeah, I remember. I was hoping that might have changed."

I snort. "Ummm. I don't think so."

"Well, I'm not giving up. That space would be perfect for her."

"You work on that. I'm working on the other."

"You need help, Luke. She's still pissed and she's also a lot more wary since Giorgio cheated on her and dropped her for a younger dancer."

Fury rages up inside me. "Is that what happened?"

"I shouldn't have said anything. Forget I said that."

"Nope. But I won't tell her that you told me."

"Good enough. Is she bringing Connie home?"

"Yeah. And I'm gonna have to do a lot to get my work done and get the car fixed."

"You just need to hook the starter back up. That's one less thing."

"How the hell…?"

But she doesn't answer me. Just hangs up, giggling.

I lift up the hood on the car and groan when I see what she did. Or someone did.

"This is going to be a really long day," I sigh. But I grab my folders and head back inside to start working on some ads. There's a new company in town and they want the full package which is gonna take some doing. But I'm also going to be very comfortable after this.

And I've got some ideas where to use that cash.

The phone rings right as I sit down and I growl, picking it up. "Hi! This is Missy from the dance committee. Your name was given to us by Allie and she said that you'd be happy to chaperone this Friday."

I close my eyes and sigh, face-palming myself. "Sure. When and where. Do I need to bring anything?"

"Just you."

"Great. Thanks. I'll mark my calendar."

"Terrific! Good-bye!"

She hangs up and I'm left staring at the phone. Somehow I think this has my daughter's fingerprints on it too.

But I don't have time to figure any of that out. There's too much to do if I want to make sure that I have time if I ever do actually get a date with Rena. And also, I need that money.

So I fire up my computer and start to work, my fingers flying over the keys as I build the program up and perfect what's needed for them to be happy.

By the time that Connie gets home, I've got a good start on it and I take a break to whip up spaghetti for dinner.

I'm not an exciting cook but I can make food for us. I can take care of myself and my daughter.

I just wish that Rena would let me take care of her too. Hopefully, soon.