Page 62 of Crossed Sticks

I threw an arm around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. And damn it, it was real that time—no more cotton candy smooches. When we broke for air, I trailed fingertips across his cheek. “You are even more amazing than I thought. I love this.”

Relief and pride shone in his eyes as a smile stretched across his face. “I’m so glad. I called Gabe, and he got me your stick details. It’s made to your specs, but it’s not really to use in a game.” His eyes widened, uncertain. “I mean, you can if you want to, but I?—”

I smothered his words with another kiss, and when I let him go, he snickered. “I guess youdolike it. There’s one more thing.”

“Luca, you…Really?”

He reached behind him and then handed me a book. I read the title out loud. “Maine Verse.”

“It’s a book of poems written by people from Maine.”

Certain I’d been transported to another universe, I opened the book to find Luca’s inimitable scrawl decorating the title page:For when you get sick of me and need some space. I’ll be waiting when you’re ready for me again.

I fought back more tears, awestruck by the sensitive man holding me with his arm around my shoulders. For years, I’d longed for someone to share my life with, but all I’d gotten were jerks who didn’t care. Maybe they’d even turned me into a jerk. But now, if my heart ever stopped quaking, I was giving it to Luca for good.

Peering into his bottomless gaze, I took a moment to catch my breath. “You’re the one who’s worth waiting for. I’ve never felt so special, and I can’t wait for our trip.”

“I’m so excited about it, babe.” He licked the side of my neck, then nibbled my earlobe. “We have a few days to chill before we leave. I’ll bet we can find all kinds of fun things to do.”

I laughed. “I’m sure we can, but first, I need to get up my strength. Are there really lobster rolls in that cooler?”

“You doubt me?” He scoffed. “I paid out the ying-yang to have that lobster shipped here, along with all the fixings. Ready to have some?”

While he got the lobster rolls onto plates and pulled beers out of the fridge, I smoothed my hand along the hockey stick. Like Luca, it was perfect. I hoped I could live up to what he’d done for me today, because he deserved the best man I could be.

21/

luca

Harper unlockedthe door to his apartment, then stepped aside to let me go in first. “Those were hands-down the best enchiladas I’ve ever had,” he said.

“Who’d have thought it, right? In Buffalo, of all places. I was shocked the first time I went there.”

He hung his keys on a hook by the door. “How’d you find it?”

“One of my teammates is dating a woman who used to work there.”

“Goes to show there’s great Mexican food anywhere. It was really spicy, too.” He rummaged through the fridge, emerging with two bottles of water and handing one to me.

I downed mine and watched him sip his, captivated by how his Adam’s apple bobbed while he drank. After tossing our bottles into the recycling bin, we went to the living room and collapsed onto the couch.

He picked up the TV remote.“Eclipse Squadron?Then we can finish packing for Maine.”

“You bet.” We’d been watching the show an episode or two at a time. Harp had pulled it up but not yet pressed play when my phone buzzed.

CALEB: Where are you?

It was unusual to hear from him on a Friday night, and why did he care where I was?

LUCA: At Harper’s? What’s up?

CALEB: I’m in front of your building. How long will it take you to get back here?

It was like stubbing a toe. You bump into something, then there’s a delay before your brain tells you it hurts. After a second, my brain screamed, “Panic.”

Harp wrinkled his forehead. “Is something wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

My heart pounded like a timpani. I had no idea what to say to Harper or Caleb, and—fuck oh fuck oh fuck—Daniel would be there to watch the meltdown. He was nicer than I was giving him credit for, right? He wouldn’t enjoy witnessing my massive screwup, since he was no stranger to fucking up.

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