Page 88 of Sunshine

Mostly because I wanted poor Luca to have back up. Luca picked up my hand and kissed the back of it. “What a lovely idea. Logan could do a private party at Talk of the Town.”

“Oh, Chef Kahele is Logan?” Stephen perked up. “The restaurant is getting excellent reviews.”

“He’s worked really hard to get there,” Luca said, nodding. “We’re proud of him.”

“You could bring Pack Beneventi,” Jones said, nodding at Talia. “Rob is looking for more investors, and Chef Kahele could use the exposure.”

Talia’s eyes widened, and my stomach sank. For the love of muffins, please don’t make me be the one to dish out the dirty laundry.

Talia looked at me, almost hopeful. “We might be able to?—”

“Thank you for your thoughts, but Chef Kahele has his hands full with the Michelin star people, as well as Cosmic Bonds, and some other projects.” Luca winked. “Very hush-hush, but there’s talk of people coming up from L.A, and filming.”

Stephan and Jones looked impressed.

“I’m sure we could do a date?” Luca looked at the two men. “But I’d prefer to keep it smaller.”

The tone of his voice made it sound like he was doing them a favor. Even Stephen stopped looking bored and nodded. “Of course, of course. Sometimes a more intimate setting is preferable.”

I wanted to give Luca a standing ovation. I wasn’t good with words, but Luca managed to make them thank him for not including other people.

The rest of dinner went smoothly enough, although Talia and Jones kept touching each other under the table and that was just awkward. I barely tasted the dessert course, and by the time we left with promises to get together at Talk of the Town, I was numb.

As soon as Luca settled into the driver’s seat, I sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Luca looked surprised.

“Talia crashed our date. She’d suggested a double date before but I thought I’d have time to plan it out.”

Luca slid the key into the ignition, but instead of turning on the car, he turned to look at me. “You have nothing to be sorry about.”

“I should have told her no. Tonight was our time to get to know each other better. Instead, she made it weird.”

I looked out into the night, counting the stars. I should have stood up for what I wanted and told her that we couldn’t do it tonight. It would’ve hurt her feelings, but now I was worried that Luca would think he wasn’t as important to me.

Luca brushed his hand over mine. “Sunshine. Sweetheart. It’s fine. I’m not upset.”

“Iam,” I said, unable to keep the snap out of my voice. “We’re finally on a romantic candlelit dinner, and then Talia shows up.I should have told her not tonight, but I know she would’ve been upset, and I’m so tired of fighting with her.”

Luca made a noise in his throat, taking my hand into both of his. “It’s hard when you’re not on the same page as a friend anymore.”

“It’ssohard,” I said, my frustration leeching through into my voice. I turned to look at him. “But I’m sure you’re tired of my stupid friend drama. I know I am.”

“But Idowant to hear about it.” Luca brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “I want to hear about everything, Sunshine. The good and the bad.”

“She’s not perfect,” I said. “Talia does things that annoy and bother me, but so does everyone else.”

“Hmph.” Luca’s hand stayed holding mine and the gesture was so comforting I could have stayed like that forever. “Do you want me to talk or just listen?”

It was a great question. I closed my other hand over his. “Talk, please. Whatever advice or ideas you can give me. I have a sinking suspicion she’s going to be more easily upset as I get closer with all of you.”

“I think she will.” Luca sighed. “Her wanting to double date tonight was her wanting you to see she has a pack too. But I don’t know that they’re very committed, so that’s not actually going to make her happier. The result is that she lashes out at you, tries to make you feel smaller, like the comments about how you didn’t choose her business.”

“She gets that way sometimes.”

“Sure. I’m terrible at task management, but I’m also an adult who has to manage my own flaws. I don’t lash out at Logan for not reminding me to set the meeting times.”

I ran my fingers over the back of his hand as I considered his words. He was right. I was terrible at managing my own tasks, but I didn’t make that Talia’s fault.

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