Page 32 of Love ad Lib
‘Look,’ Lucas interrupted. ‘Let’s just lay this out on the table, mano-a-mano, eh? I need to know you’ll look after my girl, but everything has to be kosher, okay?’
‘Yes, yes, of course.’ Henry nodded. ‘I want to assure both of you of my intentions and behaviour. I—’
‘Buddy, we can’t ignore the elephant in the room here. I don’t want Lib-Lob drawn into any of the sex shit your family’s got going on. Capiche?’
Capiche?
Henry looked stricken.
‘Lucas—’ she began, but Henry raised his hands.
‘Libby, your boyfriend is right. I need both of you to know that, er, that side of my parents' life will not be in evidence during our stay at Foxbrooke Manor. I have five siblings who are, erm, more like me, and the celebrations will also involve my grandmother, who is extremely conservative.’
Lucas nodded. ‘But what if you need to seemauthentic?’ His leg knocked against hers under the table, and he took a big bite of his cronut.
Henry coloured. ‘I haven’t brought a, ahem, girlfriend home before and have a reputation amongst my family of being quite, erm, restrained in my behaviour. There will be no need for any physical contact, beyond the odd hand-hug that Libby may choose to initiate in public if she feels comfortable doing so.’
‘“Hand-hug”?’ Lucas asked, his mouth full. Powdered sugar sprayed onto the table.
‘You know,’ Libby said. ‘When I squeeze your hand like this?’
Lucas shrugged.
Henry reached into a bag next to him. ‘I’ve drawn up a contract for you both to look at. It includes all the assurances about physicality as well as a get-out clause for Libby if at any time she feels uncomfortable.’
Lucas held out a hand to stop him. ‘Henry. I’ve seen all I need and trust you with my Lib-Lob. The two of you can iron out the boring stuff. I’ve got to get back to my studio.’ He necked his double espresso. ‘I’m an artist, repped by the Balbis gallery.’ He frowned at Henry as if sizing him up. ‘You’re a man of good taste, right? Your father collects art?’ Lucas didn’t wait for a reply. ‘You should come by my studio sometime.’ He dug a card out of his pocket and handed it to him. ‘I’m currently exploring the nature of creation and the divine feminine. My pieces would really compliment the Holbeins you’ve got at the Manor.’ He nudged Libby. ‘Let me out, love.’
She shuffled off the banquette seat, half desperate he would leave and half panicked about being left alone with Henry.
Henry exited his side of the booth and held out his hand. ‘Thank you for meeting me, Lucas.’
Lucas took it and shook firmly. ‘You know, you really should come to the opening of my show next week. Super exclusive, but I can get your name on the door. It’s Monday night at seven at Balbis. Invite the family. I think they’d like what they see.’
‘Thank you,’ Henry replied. ‘I’ll see if I can make it.’
Lucas dropped his hand and turned to Libby. He grabbed her, smashing his lips to hers and dipping her backwards. The space was small, and the back of her head connected with the side of the booth with an audible thud. Lucas didn’t seem to notice as he righted her and removed his face from hers.
‘Laters, Lib-Lob.’ He grabbed the remains of his cronut and the bag with Libby’s sourdough, gave Henry a chin-lift and strode out.
‘Are you okay?’ Henry asked, as Libby rubbed the back of her head.
She couldn’t meet his gaze. She wanted the ground to swallow her up. That kiss was the second she’d received from Lucas, and nothing about it had been pleasant. Her dream man had given her a dream kiss, but she was left with a sour taste in her mouth.
‘Sorry,’ she mumbled, sitting back at the table. ‘True love, eh?’
‘Good lord, Libby, don’t apologise for expressing the, er, passions of your relationship,’ he replied, taking his seat.
She was going to be sick. She had to tell him Lucas wasn’t her boyfriend. ‘Henry…’
He placed the contract he’d prepared in front of her.
‘Please look this over, Libby. I know you haven’t made up your mind yet, but I want you to be able to make an informed decision.’
She thumbed through the sheaf of papers. ‘How many pages are there?’
‘A few. I tried to cover all bases.’
‘Did you use a template?’
