Page 123 of Before It Was Love

I widen my eyes. “Zombies are real. Are you not ready for the apocalypse?”

We weave our way through the crowd and away from the line. “Do you want to sit with me and my friends?”

“Yes!”

I notice Lucas walking toward us in the crowd. It’s hard not to. He’s several inches taller than everyone else. But he’s not some string bean. Not Lucas. His body is packed with muscles from his chest down to his calves.

I didn’t know calves could be sexy until I spotted Lucas running home one day. Now I know the truth. Calves can be sexy. As are thighs, pecs, and any other muscle Lucas has.

“Go ask your dad if it’s okay.”

“Do I have to?” she whines.

“I don’t make the rules.”

“Dad!” Natalia motions him over. He smiles at her as his legs eat up the distance between us.

“Natalia, what are you drinking?” he asks when he reaches us.

“It’s lemonade. Chloe got it for me.”

He reaches into his pocket. “Let me pay you back.”

“It’s fine.”

His gaze meets mine and I’m sucked in by those dark brown eyes. They’re mesmerizing. I could get lost in them. Preferably while I stroke his beard or spear my hands through his wavy hair.

I clear my throat. No drooling over your next door neighbor who’s made it perfectly obvious what he thinks of you. Not a lot.

“Can Natalia hang out with us for a while?” I ask.

He crosses his arms over his chest and I try to ignore how his biceps flex with the motion. I lose the battle. It’s a toss up which is sexier. His calves or his biceps. I’d have to touch them to make a decision.

Which will not be happening, I remind myself. Lucas doesn’t want to roll in the hay with me. He’s made that perfectly obvious.

“Actually.” He clears his throat. “I need to speak to you.”

“Go ahead.” My arms are starting to ache from holding the four pints, but I’m not complaining.

“There you are,” Nova says as she walks toward us. Maya and Paisley are following her.

I hold up the drinks. “The line was obnoxious.”

“Hi, Lucas!” Nova waves at him. “Not working today?”

“I have off to enjoy the festival with my daughter.”

“We won’t steal her away then,” I say. “I’ll see you soon, Natalia.”

“Wait!” Lucas orders before I have a chance to escape. “I do need to speak to you.”

I raise my eyebrows. “About what?”

“Dad wants you to marry him because my mom is threatening to sue him for sole custody,” Natalia answers.

My jaw drops open. Lucas wants to marry me? The woman who, according to him, is more annoying than itching powder in a jockstrap.

Nova wraps an arm around Natalia’s shoulders. “We should leave your dad and Chloe alone to discuss this.” She leads her away but Maya and Paisley don’t follow. “Come on. Give Chloe some privacy.”

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