Page 94 of Final Installment
On the walk back to my building, I drank in the bustling city vibe.Shanghai was still so new to me, so exciting and rich with experiences.I’d only explored a small part of it with friends I’d made at work and in the local ex-pat community.There was so much more I wanted to see and discover.
I glanced at my watch as I drew near my building.My stepdad had sent me a weird message earlier about expecting a late-night delivery.I’d specifically asked if it was dinner, and he’d assured me it was definitely not food.Other than that, he wouldn’t give me any hints.
Hoping it was something like a plant or maybe even a small pet like a fish, I smiled at the doorman who let me inside.I made it a few steps into the lobby, scanning my surroundings like every single woman did, and suddenly stopped.
Was that...?
But what washedoing here?
Luka Beciraj, in jeans and a gray tee and an Army green bomber jacket, standing in the lobby of my building in Shanghai.There was a black hard-shell carry-on by his feet.He looked so nervous as he stood there, watching me, waiting.His fingers flexed at his sides.Did he think I’d refuse to see him after he came all this way to see me?
I walked toward him, and he started walking toward me.We met in the middle of the lobby.This close, I could see how good he looked.His skin was warm and full of color again.His eyes were bright and full of life.He was alive and here, so close I could reach out and touch him.
“Brett gave me your address.”
“I guess that makes you the special delivery,” I teased, enjoying my stepdad’s little joke.“Do I even want to know how you two got close enough to plot like this?”
“It wasn’t really a plot, and he wasn’t in Tirana to see me, not really.”
“Drita?”I guessed.
Luka smiled slyly.“Apparently, she’s going to visit him in Dallas next month.”
“No!”
Luka laughed.“Yes.”
“Well,” I said, amused at the turn of events, “I guess something good came from that awful night.”
“More than one thing,” he said, carefully taking the heavy bag and box of pizza from my hands.“I’m done playing boss.I gave it all to Zec.Cut ties.Done.”
My jaw dropped.“You walked?”
Luka nodded.
“Away from your birthright?”
“It was a curse,” Luka insisted.“It did nothing but cause me pain and grief.I won’t do that to my kids.I want a different life for them.”
“Your metaphorical kids?”I asked, making sure I hadn’t missed some other secret in his past.
“Metaphorical until you tell me otherwise,” Luka smoothly replied.“Because I’m not having a family with anyone else.”
I gulped.“Luka.”
“Can we talk upstairs?In private?”His eyes practically begged me.He needn’t have pleaded.There was nothing I wanted more than to spend time with him.
“Of course,” I said, gesturing to the elevator bank.“Come up with me.”
He grabbed his luggage with his free hand and balanced the takeout on the other.I offered to take one or the other, but he refused.Inside the elevator, we were pressed into a corner by seven of my fellow residents.There wasn’t a chance for us to talk, but Luka purposely pressed against my side.My heart fluttered wildly as the action spurred memories of his body pressed even closer to mine.
After sixteen floors, the final resident stepped off the lift, leaving us alone.I waited until the doors closed to finally confess, “I wanted to message you back, but I was afraid.”
“Afraid?Of me?”He seemed hurt.
“No, not of you exactly.”I tried to find the right words to explain it all.“I was afraid that if I opened that door I wouldn’t be able to close it again.”
“Why would you want to close the door in my face?”
