"Educational?" He lifts his perfectly shaped dark eyebrow at me. Goddamn him and his perfect eyebrow and perfectly shaped jawline and -
"Sounds intriguing. Mind if I tag along?"
My eyes jump to his, and I bite the inside of my cheek. Do I think it would be hilarious if he tagged along? Absolutely. Am I in the mood to hang out with anyone, though?
"I mean, kind of," I admit with a shrug. "I like doing things by myself."
"I promise I'll be quiet," he insists, and I sigh.
"I mean, ultimately, I can't stop you," I admit and continue on my way, hearing him follow me. "So, knock yourself out. Just don't expect any entertainment from me, because I don't think I've got it in me today."
"Why, what's going on? Your future sister in law giving you trouble?"
"What?" I quickly shake my head. "Millie? She could never. It’s just real-life problems. Nothing I want to bore anyone with."
And nothing I’d talk to a near-stranger about.
"Okay." He shrugs, and my shoulders relax a bit in relief that he's going to leave the topic alone. Maybe I’m too used to my brother prodding until he got his answers, but this is refreshing.
"But, if you ever need someone to rant to…" He points at himself with both of his thumbs. "I'm a very good listener. That’s what my sister told me."
“When she was how old?” I ask with a chuckle, and he shoots me a sheepish grin that tells me everything I need to know. "I'm good," I say, forcing my lips into a smile that relaxes the slightest bit when I see the sincerity in his eyes. "But I'll keep it in mind. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now, where are we going again?"
"I didn't tell you," I say, but come to a sudden stop when I see the sign I’ve been looking for. "But we're here."
He looks at the building to our right, leaning his head way back to read the sign above the entrance. "Sex museum?" His eyes jump to me, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Yep," I say with a giggle and walk right in, making my way up to the ticket counter. "I saw it on our way back from the Red Light district yesterday. I just had to check it out."
"Does Lily know about this?" he wonders, following me like a puppy its new owner. "She would absolutely drag Adam in here as well."
"It does sound like a date spot the two of them would enjoy," I giggle, remembering what Lily told me about their sex shop date, then quickly schooling my face when it's my turn to pay the entrance fee.
"I got it." He gently pushes me aside and pays for both of our tickets.
"You don't need—”
"Shut up, Summer," he says over his shoulder and winks at me, and my whole body freezes.
I think that's the first time I've heard him say my name. And holy hell, do I find myself liking the sound of it. It sends a shiver down my spine, makes my brain short circuit, and for a moment, I stare at him, mouth agape. Good thing he’s back to facing the clerk as I quickly shake my head to get myself out of whatever trance his voice pulled me into.
"Luca would probably have my head if he heard I'd made you pay your own way to the sex museum." I barely hear him as he talks in the opposite direction.
"Listen, I get we started off on the wrong foot or whatever," I say and take a deep breath, "but you've got to stop grouping me by my brother. He's Luca, I'm Summer. Nice to meet you. Whatever we,” I point at the two of us, “do together has nothing to do with my brother. That would just be weird."
Now it’s my turn to follow him as he walks past the ticket booth and hands me my ticket.
"Unless you make me cry. Then I guess it's fair game. But," I lazily let my eyes wander up and down his body, "somehow, I doubt that's going to happen. Whichever way."
"Feisty," he says, and we scan our tickets, and I immediately store mine in my wallet afterwards to keep it safe so I can put it into my journal later. "But I think I've got the memo. Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude."
"No need to apologize. Just—" I take a deep breath. "I'm sure you know how annoying it can be to have people refer to you by the more famous sibling, right?"
His expression turns pained for the faintest moment before his expression turns neutral again.
"You're right." He hangs his head in shame and shoots me a sheepish smile. "Again, sorry."