Page 75 of Luca & Luna

The moment he was gone, I whispered to Luna, “He thinks you like me.”

She stiffened. “I know he’s right, but what gave him that idea?”

“You’ve been watching me when I’m not paying attention. I mean, I’m always paying attention to you, but I try not to make it too obvious.”

Luna sipped her cocktail, swirling the ice around before speaking again. “Is he going to say anything to anyone?”

“I doubt it.”

Her eyes got that faraway look, worry bringing tension into her shoulders.

I wanted to reach out and comfort her, but that would only draw attention. “It’ll be fine. Jasper’s not a gossip. At least I don’t think so. I can ask him not to say anything.”

“It’s okay. I feel like asking him to stay quiet would only be suspicious.”

“I think we’re doing pretty well. It’s been over four months and that’s the first peep anyone has made to me about it.”

“Has it been that long already?” She quirked her head like a confused pup.

“Yep. Wedding was mid-August, and we’re halfway through December now.”

“Time flies when you’re having fun, I guess.” She clinked her glass against a cup of mulled wine I’d been nursing. “Will I see less of you when you start school?”

“Nope. Or at least I don’t think so. I was going to take the one that crams everything into the afternoon so I can still do my neighborhood tasks and pull an evening shift at the gym, but I’ll be doing less of that job so my Tuesdays will stay free.”

“And when are you planning on doing homework?”

“I don’t think this one has a lot, but I could be wrong.”

“What about the renovations that are starting in January?”

Fuck. I’d forgotten I’d agreed to help Stella with that. “I can manage.”

Luna pursed her lips and I wanted to kiss that expression away. “I’d say not to overburden yourself but that would be kinda hypocritical of me.”

“Yep, it would.” I grinned at her. “But if you wanted to take something off your plate, I’d consider taking something off mine too.”

“Does that mean I shouldn’t tell you about the new project I’m considering?”

“Oh, you absolutely have to tell me.”

She huffed a breath and took another sip of her drink. “It’s scary.”

“Good scary or bad scary?”

“Both? Fuck, I dunno. I was lamenting to one of Nicky’s alphas, and Billie overheard me, and now Hana and I are talking about me opening a yoga and aerials studio at this new facility they’re all planning. I shouldn’t…should I?”

“Would you be running it or working there?”

Her blue eyes were luminous. “It would be mine. Luca. Fuck, I never thought there would be a chance in hell I’d run my own business like that. I’ve been thinking for months that I’d love to quit everything and have my own studio, but that’s terrifying.”

“You always seem so at peace when you’re teaching.”

“I feel that way, but…”

“But?”

“If I did that, I would have no choice but to quit something. I’d have to be there all the time, not just showing up when it’s my class. I don’t—” She took a shaky breath. “I shouldn’t say.”

---