Page 65 of Third Time Lucky

Her and this pity bullshit.

‘Nah.’

She chuckles. ‘I’d believe you, but they crowned you the honorary king in Kris’ memory. Pity wins for both of us.’

It was weird, but at the same time, I felt him there. I could see the guy wearing the crown.

‘You were a beautiful prom queen and a gorgeous bride, Luce. You deserve to wear a crown everywhere you go.’

Her cheeks are pink as she bites her bottom lip. ‘You sure know how to flatter a girl.’ The announcement of the bar closing fills our headphones when the song ends, filling me with dread.

‘Ohhhhh…’ Lucy moans with a frown, her brows furrowing in disappointment. ‘It’s over!?’

Exactly what I was thinking.

‘Afraid so,’ I say, gently releasing her even though I’d rather not. I pull off my headphones, taking hers as she hands them to me.

‘Here you go, sweetheart,’ Mitzi says, now standing nearby, handing her headphones to me.

But my gaze is on Lucy as she runs her fingers through her hair, tousling it into perfection as the twinkle lights dim, and the moon casts a soft glow over her.

‘I’ll be right back. Don’t you ladies disappear on me,’ I tease, turning to approach the bar to pay tabs and turn in headphones. Something changed tonight in the best way possible, and not just for me, that much I know. I’m ready to charge onto that minefield without armor. For her.

18

LUCY

Asher

What u up to this morning?

How can a text from him make me feel giddy? He has been the only thing on my mind since the dance – and I like it. My plans for the morning were derailed as the client I was supposed to meet with canceled at the last minute. Of course, there are things I could be doing instead, but as usual, my head is elsewhere.

Lucy

My schedule is clear today.

My fingers drum nervously against my desktop as I wait for his response, eagerly anticipating those three little dots indicating that he’s typing. Finally, they appear. The suspense is almost palpable as I anxiously await his reply. Why is he curious about my plans? What is happening between us?

Asher

Wanna help shop for this week’s menu? I’ll buy u coffee.

Lucy

I was ready to say yes before you even mentioned coffee… now it’s a hell yes.

Asher

Precisely what I wanted to hear. Be there in 30.

Thirty minutes? I glance down at myself, still clad in my wrinkled pajamas and my hair is a tangled mess. Panic sets in as I realize I have to shower, get ready and be dressed in – I quickly recheck the time – twenty-nine minutes!

Frantically, I rush to the bathroom, shedding my pajamas and stepping under the hot spray of the shower. Ah. The warm water soothes my nerves as I hurriedly wash away any hint of sleep from my skin.

Determined not to make Ash wait, I move through my morning routine with practiced speed, pulling on a simple yet stylish outfit (cut-off jean shorts – not the booty kind, my checkered Vans and a sky-blue V-neck top). I’ve no time to dry my hair, so I run a brush through it, add a dab of product, and scrunch, hoping it’ll air-dry fast. A swipe of lip gloss, mascara, and a dash of perfume, and I’m ready just in time.

Stepping outside, the morning air fills my lungs. Just seeing his SUV running in the driveway sends a flutter through me.

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