Page 5 of Worship
“Love isn’t a lie—people are liars. Find someone to tell you the truth and you’ll find your soul mate.” He seems to appraise what I’m saying, opening his mouth and then closing it again. “I believe that wholly and completely.”
“Sometimes the reality is hard to recognize,” he counters, his body now turning toward mine, and I feel closed in by him. The idea isn’t at all terrible, but it feels naughty, like I’m doing something I shouldn’t. But we’re just talking.
“No, it’s just hard to accept.” I swallow, this time keeping eye contact.
He stares at me hard and takes his bottom lip between his teeth, searching my eyes as if he’s trying to figure me out. “I’m going to walk away.” I nod. “But Gretchen, here’s some advice for you. You’re the most beautiful woman in this room and by far the most interesting. You don’t need to be someone’s arm piece.” He winks at my surprised expression and walks away to join his brother.
“Agreed,” I answer to his back. I don’t need to see his face to know he’s smiling.
I’m shaken from my wet daydream by Blair’s squeal. “Oh my god, that’s right!” They’re twins. I fucking forgot about that.”
Blair pushes my shoulder, amazed at her rediscovery.
“Ow. Easy, tiger,” I say, rubbing my shoulder. “It’s hot, I’m getting out.” I need air.
Drew pats my shoulder. “Me too.”
She follows me out, and we both stand for a moment outside the door. The cool air sweeps into my lungs, a welcomed reprieve from the heat we’ve been sitting in.
“Your cheeks are so flushed. Good thing you got out when you did.” Drew remarks.
There isn’t any hidden meaning or ribbing, but I’m sure my cheeks redden deeper knowing that I’m flushed because I have a slight crush on someone I shouldn’t.
We leave the spa an hour later and all file into Blair’s Tesla, laughing and relaxed from our spa afternoon. Blair drops me and Drew first to Drew’s house, where I’ve left my car. Black SUV’s litter the curb, a sure sign the party is still in full swing. We exit the car and blow dramatic kisses to our friends as Blair drives away.
“The guys must all still be here.” Drew rolls her eyes and shakes her head in fake dislike.She loves this.
I back away from her, completely unwilling to navigate that crew. “Not it.” I turn to walk to my car.
“Jerk,” she yells, walking up to her door.
As soon as she opens it, I hear the deep voices inside call out to her, celebratory and drunk. It makes me giggle to myself. That’s a shitshow—seven drunk and severely hot Italian men in one room.Maybe I should go back.
Walking the twenty feet to my car, I reach into my purse and rummage around for my keys, only to drop them on the ground as they slip through my fingers. “Shit,” I huff, squatting down to pick them up.
“Decided not to stay, huh?” A bright red burn from the lit end of a cigar comes from the shadow on the steps in front of me.
“Fuck!” I scream, scared by the unexpected voice, and fall flat onto my behind.
A cloud of smoke catches the light, followed by the sound of singe, as he takes a draw on his cigar.
Luca leans into the light looking amused with that fucking grin gracing his face. He’s like a fallen angel, a beautiful soul that could ruin me. He leans forward a bit more and offers me a hand and I take it, pulling forward to stand, brushing my jeans off, embarrassed.
“Why are you creeping out here, psycho?”
He laughs loudly and takes another puff of his cigar, raising an eyebrow at me and leaning back on his elbows against the stairs.
“You’re welcome. I had a call.” He’s looking at the burning red cherry of his cigar, and I can’t help but ogle his broad chest.
“Thank you,” I say, only half-contrite at my rudeness, mostly just trying to fill the silence. “Well, see ya.”
I turn to my car and click the Unlock button.
“Where’s your boyfriend?” he asks in a rush.
I grin at his Bob reference and turn back around.
“Oh you know, he found someone more plastic he was into.” I shrug dramatically.
