Page 78 of Backhanded Compliments

Luca’s eyes widen. “Oh, okay. You want to be seen with me? In public?” Luca asks, tilting her head and brows furrowing.

“My sister, Livie, is coming too. It’s a casual thing,” Juliette says, wanting to cringe the moment she does. She hates how she can’t read Luca’s expression whenever her mouth slides into an impassive line. “She wants to take pictures, get food, dip her toes in the water. Anyway, it’s okay if you don’t want to. I know we’re just…” Juliette trails off, unsure of what to say. Luca seems to be struggling with words too. “It’s probably weird meeting my little sister and hanging out with us. It’s fine if you don’t want to. Really.”

“I’d love to come,” Luca says suddenly, and she tucks her hair behind her ear. “Livia is the only Ricci sister I haven’t met, so I might as well remedy that, right?”

Relief washes the tension from Juliette’s shoulders, and she smiles, a little breathless that her clumsy offer somehow worked. “Great! I’ll meet you in the lobby in half an hour?”

“Yeah,” Luca says, her smile widening and exposing her dimple. If they weren’t in the middle of a hallway where anyone could spot them, Juliette would’ve stepped into Luca and kissed it.

“See you soon,” Juliette says, giddier than she has any right to be.

Especially because this isnota date.

“This is absolutely a date,” Livia says as she sits at the hotel bar, one leg crossed over the other.

“Shut up,” Juliette hisses.

Livia glances up at her from under her long lashes. Once again, she’s dressed much cuter than Juliette is used to. It’s like she raided Octavia’s wardrobe, with her striped blue-and-white shorts, whitecrop top, and a white button-down that Juliette is almost certain was Leo’s at one point.

“And who are you trying to impress?” Juliette gestures at Livia’s outfit.

Livia blinks. She isn’t wearing her glasses, and Juliette can see she has on mascara. “No one,” she snaps, a touch too defensive.

Juliette narrows her eyes.

Livia presses her lips together. “I won’t call this a date, and you won’t ask questions. Deal?” She jabs a finger in her face, and Juliette smirks, but nods.

Livia hops off the stool and waves across the lobby at Luca, abandoning her cola.

Juliette rolls her eyes and tosses a couple of bills on the bar to pay for it before following after her.

“Luca Kacic! I don’t believe we’ve met,” Livia says, holding out her arms and wrapping Luca in a hug. Luca looks surprised, but she indulges Livia by returning the hug. Their height difference is comical, and Juliette stifles a laugh.

“Livia Ricci?” Luca says as she pulls back, and Livia nods.

“The one and only.”

Juliette looks over Luca. She’s wearing light-wash mom jeans with a white V-neck top tucked into them. Juliette is reminded of their indoor practice when the sprinklers soaked them both. Her hands are itching to slide beneath the soft white cotton and touch Luca again. Luca slips her hands into her back pockets and leans on one hip. She is long and lean and looks so tan in white. Juliette wants to eat her.

“Juliette?” Livia snaps her fingers in front of her face, and she realizes Luca is smirking at her.

“Yes, pipsqueak?” she asks to annoy her.

Livia glares and elbows her. “The Uber is here.”

As they head out to the car, Luca leans in close. “I meant to tell you earlier, but you look really good.”

Juliette looks up, and Luca’s smile has softened. “Thank you.” Sheknocks her elbow against Luca’s, since she can’t take her hand and twine their fingers in public. “You don’t look half bad either.” She dips her voice, flicking her eyes down Luca’s body.

Luca’s cheeks turn the most adorable rosy color, and it’s Juliette’s turn to smirk.

THIRTY-TWOLUCA

The boardwalk is a riot of color, people, and lights. The sun hangs low, burning bright gold and streaking the sky with soft shapes of pink and purple, while the shops lining the boardwalk are illuminated with warm lights and vibrant umbrellas.

Luca trails a few paces behind Juliette and Livia, who is giving Juliette instructions and scolding her to act natural while she snaps hundreds of photos. Most are of Juliette taking photos with her vintage camera of the beach and people on the boardwalk.

Crowds weave around them, caught in their own little bubbles, and no one pays them any attention.

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