Page 28 of My December Darling

My instant response to his touch scares me, not due to feeling guilty over being attracted to Aiden’s best man, but because I can’t remember the last time someone made me feel so much in such a short span of time.

Maybe not ever.

I’ve felt sparks of attraction before, but this feels like more. I can’t put my finger on it, but I don’t know many people who have made me feel the same way Luke does with a single look and a fleeting touch, and itterrifiesme.

I don’t have plans to stick around Lake Wisteria. Nor am I going to pursue a connection with someone who is tied to my sister and future brother-in-law and risk spending the rest of my life in an awkward situation when things don’t work out. After today’s conversation with my sister, I wouldn’t have an option to do so even if I wanted to.

Despite wanting to stay put and bask in the way Luke looks at me, I take a big step back and wrap my arms around my torso.

His brows scrunch together, and his hand hangs in the air. “Catalina?”

“Thanks for showing me this place.” I take another step closer to the stairwell that leads to the elevator.

“Where are you going?”

Far away from here.

I refuse to jeopardize the newfound peace between my sister and me by acting on our attraction. Desiring Luke is one thing, but I can’t take it further than that and risk the awkwardness that is bound to occur if a temporary fling came to an end.

No matter how much he tempts me to do the complete opposite.

9

LUKE

Ifucked up. That much becomes clear after Catalina pulled away from me on the rooftop and threw her walls up higher than ever before.

I told myself I’d give her space but after seeing her crying, but I go against my better judgment and text her after my shift, needing to check if she is doing okay. Unlike all my other messages, she doesn’t answer this one, which makes me feel worse.

I shouldn’t have touched her the way I had. It was a bold move given our situation, but I couldn’t resist wanting to comfort her, and look where that got me.

I’m not sure how to best navigate the situation, so I turn to Aiden for advice, only for him to involve Gaby, who happens to be hanging out in our apartment, helping pack up some of his belongings.

“What do he mean you’re interested in my sister?” She shoots Aiden a pointed look after he stated the obvious a moment before.

Aiden salutes me from behind her back.Good luck, he mouths.

Bastard. “I like her.”

“Since when?”

“It’s a rather new development.”

My soon-to-be ex-best friend snorts, and I’m tempted to smack him on the side of his head.

Gaby plants her hands on her hips. “So it’s nothing serious then.”

“I never said that.”

“As your best friend’s future wife, I deserve to know what your intentions are with my sister.”

“I’m not sure that’s how it works.”

She throws her arms up. “Luke!”

“What?”

“Stop being cryptic!”

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