Page 40 of Spring Tide

“Harper, if you don’t want to do this ... I can take you home right now.” His fingers clench against the sides of his thighs, eyes squeezing shut as he pastes on a phony half-smile. “I’ll just tell them you weren’t feeling well.”

“No, no, it’s not that,” I reassure him, reaching for my door handle. “I just ... you know I’m not the best liar.”

“Just be yourself. That’s all I need from you tonight.”

His words instantly relieve some of the tension bubbling in my gut. Be myself? I guess I can manage that.

“Okay.”

He pushes his door open, walking stiffly around to the passenger side. When he pulls open my door next, I swing my legs out and keep my knees clenched together, hoping to God I don’t flash him in the process.

“If they ask us for any details, just leave it to me.” He stands beside me, brushing out the wrinkles in his button-up shirt.

“I can do that.”

He finally spares me more than just a quick glance, eyes subtly shifting over my outfit. His gaze doesn’t linger too long, but I think I notice at least a single spark of appreciation. “Okay, you ready, then?”

My fingers tap against the sides of my thighs, that nervous energy returning in full force. “Maybe we should do that hand-holding thing we talked about?”

He pauses for a beat, taking a step or two closer until we’re standing side by side. Without another word, his hand slides into mine, strong fingers interweaving through my slender ones.

I smile up at him, an immediate sense of comfort warming me from the inside out. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

As we enter the restaurant, hand in hand, I spot a young couple seated in a booth directly across from the entrance. I assume they must be who we’re meeting since Luca’s gaze inconspicuously narrows in that direction. His grip on my hand tightens, his left thumb pressing sharply against my trapezium bone. I can almost hear the first joint pop before I’m wincing in pain.

“Ouch,” I whisper-shout, wiggling my arm in some sort of distress signal.

His vise grip loosens, but he keeps ahold of my hand. “Sorry.”

His fingers flex twice before he gently rubs his thumb against the outside of mine. It’s a silent form of apology that seems to soothe the sudden jolt of pain.

After a few quick words with the hostess, we maneuver toward the back booth together. The two lovebirds are seated on the same side, heads ducked as they whisper and laugh and sneak in a kiss or two. It’s sweet, really. Luca’s best friend and his girlfriend seem like they’re so in love, at least from a distance.

Once we reach the table, both of their heads abruptly shoot up. It’s as if they were lost in their own little world and we’ve somehow interrupted. When our eyes connect, there’s an awkward hint of tension that fills the room.

They’ve been staring at us for a beat too long, wide-eyed and silent, as I attempt a casual smile. Luca’s friend shakes his head, a grin of his own finally taking hold. He hastily scoots away from his girlfriend, sliding out of the booth to wrap both arms around us.

The hug is short-lived, but he squeezes us tightly, patting both of our shoulders before he steps back. I’ve never seen a man so excited to meet his friend’s newest fling.

“Danny, Sofia.” Luca tosses a quick nod in her direction. “This is my Harper.”

“It’s nice to meet you both,” I offer, finally dropping Luca’s hand.

Danny reclaims his seat, and we join them in the booth. Now that Sofia’s sitting directly across from me, it’s nearly impossible to ignore her beauty. She has striking features—a perfectly angular nose, light brown skin that seems to glow, and long, dark hair that sits in waves across her shoulders.

There are a few more friendly introductions before our server appears. Luca and I both order different iterations of some fancy burger, while Sofia and Danny opt to share a pasta dish. Apparently, it’s some cutesy tradition they co-opted during their summer abroad together.

I think it’s sweet, mostly because it reminds me ofLady and the Tramp.

“Luca mentioned that you’ve been friends since pre-K,” I say, directing my attention toward Danny. “I think that’s really cool.”

“That’s right.” Danny chuckles, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “And now he’s stuck with me for the rest of his life.”

I shift my attention toward Sofia, nodding between her and her boyfriend. “And how did the two of you meet?”

“Actually, the three of us have all been friends since middle school,” Sofia chimes in, a sudden quirk to her brow. She looks confused, unsettled as she bites down on her full bottom lip.

“Oh, wow,” I murmur, impressed. “So are you high school sweethearts, then, or did that part come later?”

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