Page 23 of Putting Down Roots

“Great. See you later.”

Luca finds me later,with a cup of coffee.

I thank him.

“She likes you,” he offers.

“Does she?” I’m not so sure.

“She only teases me around people she likes, and she’s invited you to dinner.”

“Is it safe?”

“She’s a damn fine cook, if that is what you mean.”

“Not really.”

“I know she isn’t everyone’s taste. She can have an acid tongue, but she is lovely underneath that and she’s always been there for me, even when others haven’t.” It’s the last bit that gets me.

“Okay, I’m looking forward to it then.” Luca looks relieved.

“I’m going out. Anna says that I haven’t got anything in the house worth eating and she’s probably right, so we’re going shopping. See you at seven?”

“I’ll be there.” I smile back. I’m relieved he has a friend and hasn’t been totally alone in what he’s been through—but also a smidge jealous. I keep that in check. I’ve known Luca for only a few weeks and have no claims on him at all, and he hasn’t given me any indication that he’s interested in me other than as a friend.

CHAPTER 20

Luca

“I don’t knowwhat you’ve done Lu, but that guy is into you.”

Anna presses me into pushing the trolley round the supermarket while she selects ingredients for tonight’s meal.

“Nonsense. I told you, he’s straight.”

“You said he’d been married—that’s not quite the same thing.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Not even close. He might be bi. But whatever he is, I’ve seen that look before.”

“What look?”

“Like he’s drinking you in with his eyes.”

“I haven’t noticed.”

“No, because you’re too busy drowning in them.”

“I am not!”

She stops and faces me, stabbing a finger into my chest.

“You, Luca, are very much in danger of falling for this man. In fact, I think it might be too late for you. You’re a lost cause.”

“It’s not like that.”

“But you wish it was, don’t you?”

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