Page 26 of Falling Hard
"Solenne is a trooper; she'll work her magic on you. She might end up joining your group!"
I raised a brow, and Luke spoke quickly. "I'm joking. I know how exclusive your little United Nations group is."
He pulled into a parking spot.
Not wasting any time, I exited the car, and we walked to the entrance of Sonny's. When I began to push the glass door open, Luke rested his hand above mine and held the door for me.
As soon as we stepped into Sonny’s, Brenda, his wife and co-owner, rushed over to greet us. She had gray hair now, her once thick and black curls gone, but her smile and sparkling eyes were still the same.
"Luke, Olivia, it's been nearly a month! I thought you two went on diets."
"Never," Luke answered, kissing her on the cheek. "Liv has a high metabolism, and I'm looking for the sort of woman who will want me when the love handles take over."
Brenda laughed like Luke was the funniest person she'd met. I hugged her and went to a table.
"Smells good," Luke said, then reached for a menu. I don't know why he bothered looking; he'd have the same thing. Luke always did.
"No need, your waffles, ham on the bone, and scrambled eggs, with a side of bourbon maple syrup will be out soon," Brenda said, and Luke lowered his menu.
I giggled.
"Well, did you also put in Liv's pancakes, sausages, home fries, and eggs?" Luke asked.
I looked up, and Brenda really seemed hurt. She playfully snatched the menu from the table and slapped his head with it."Of course I did. All I came to ask is what type of cinnamon rolls you two wanted?"
"Bring us two each. That way we can sample them all," he said.
When Brenda nodded and walked away, Luke stared at me. "So do you really forgive me?"
"I already said I did."
He shrugged. "I can't always read your mind, and I’ve known you too long to believe every word you say."
"It has been a long time, huh?"
Brenda returned with two mugs of coffee. We thanked her, and she headed back to the kitchen.
Luke sipped his drink and smiled. "It really has. From childhood to adulthood, we've been through it all together. You're what now, twenty-eight?"
I glared at him. "Twenty-four. The very same age as you."
Luke chuckled as I weighed Gennie the know-it-all wax girl's words. What was I doing? It was time I stopped acting like a coward.
"You're right. There is something important I've been keeping from you," I began, watching him closely. His face pulled tight with a worried expression he didn’t bother to hide.
"What is it?" Luke patted my hand gently. "Whatever's on your mind, I want to know."
"Well, look at you two. I told Sonny it was only a matter of time before you two became a couple."
Of course. Perfect timing. Brenda had to come over just as I was about to jump off the cliff. I tried to read Luke's facial expression at her words and got the distinct impression he didn't like the idea. There was a shift in his face, his mouth tight and eyes dropping to the table. He looked so uncomfortable.
"When did you two officially become a thing?" she asked, but I never took my eyes off Luke. It was as if we were both playinga game of who would answer her first. Frustrated when seconds passed, I leaned back in my seat and faced the woman who’d just saved me from embarrassing myself. "Brenda, nothing has changed. We’re just friends. In fact, Luke is getting married, and I'm going to be his best man."
Her smile faded, and her eyes narrowed just enough to show she didn’t like a single word coming out of my mouth. "Oh, I guess Sonny was right, and I was wrong. Sorry, you two."
"Don't sweat it, Brenda. You’re not the first person to mistake the relationship between Liv and I. Even our families do it," he said.
When she walked away, Luke looked unhappy. "Did you have to tell her about the wedding?"
