Page 56 of Anyone But Her

"That, and because pineapples are supposed to be a sign of welcome. Since this is the guest house she wanted people to feel welcomed."

"I don't think many people know that about pineapples. I didn't know until you told me just now."

"Then I guess people will just think it goes with the tropical theme. The bedroom is supposed to be an ocean theme. Did you notice all the seashells in there?"

"Yeah. They're everywhere. She even has seashell soap in the bathroom."

"Once she decides on a theme she goes a little crazy." I move around, trying to get comfortable in the chair.

Luke taps the cushion next to him. "Come over here. The couch is better."

I get up, and while crossing in front of him I trip over his legs, my body crashing down on him and falling face first into the cushion.

"Taylor, are you okay?"

"Yeah."

Completely embarrassed I hurry to get up, then quickly sit down on the opposite side of the couch, which is less than a foot from Luke because the couch is so small.

"I'm really sorry," I say, laughing at myself. "I'm a klutz sometimes. Did I hurt you?"

He chuckles. "No. I'm pretty indestructible. Something knocks me down I just get right back up."

It's true. He's had so many setbacks in life and yet he hasn't let them get him down. Until now.

"So about what I was saying earlier." I turn to face him. "You can talk to me. About Albert."

He doesn't say anything. I guess that means he doesn't want to talk. I was hoping he would open up to me like he did all those weeks we talked on the phone. I wish things could be like they were back then. I miss that Luke. I miss the flirting and the joking around and the way our talks would get more serious as the night went on.

I miss all that but it's too late to go back. Things have changed now.

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