Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

L uca

"I don't know what you've done Lu, but that guy is into you."

Anna presses me into pushing the trolley round the supermarket while she selects ingredients for tonight's meal.

"Nonsense. I told you, he's straight."

"You said he'd been married—that's not quite the same thing."

"Isn't it?"

"Not even close. He might be bi. But whatever he is, I've seen that look before."

"What look?"

"Like he's drinking you in with his eyes."

"I haven't noticed."

"No, because you're too busy drowning in them."

"I am not!"

She stops and faces me, stabbing a finger into my chest.

"You, Luca, are very much in danger of falling for this man. In fact, I think it might be too late for you. You're a lost cause."

"It's not like that."

"But you wish it was, don't you?"

She's right, of course. I can think of nothing else, and the evidence of the pictures is damning enough.

I sigh. I don't know what to do about it.

"C'mon." Anna starts moving again. "Don't mope, we will wow him with food."

I huff a laugh and follow, dutifully pushing the trolley.

After unpacking the shopping, Anna lets me help with some basic prep for the meal and then shoos me out of the kitchen. This is her usual MO. She doesn't like anyone getting under her feet, and says that often it's quicker to do something herself than explain it to anyone else. She won't even let me set the table—says she wants it to be a surprise for both of us. It feels like she's setting us up on a surprise date.

To stay out of her way, I take a long bath. I try to relax, but it's no good, there isn't a moment when I'm not thinking about Jackson and his hot body, and what I'd like to do to him if I ever get the chance. By the time I've gotten dried and dressed I'm shaking, and if I'm not careful I'm going to have an anxiety attack.