Page 168 of Until We Burn
Usually, listening to any idea of Luke’s—especially ones inspired by the Spy Kids movie he watched on the flight to Toronto—is insane. But I’m desperate and Luke is the only one who always knows what to say to a girl.
“Just hurry up,”Rowan grumbles.“Getting Wallace on the phone is killing my battery, there’s this old lady staring at us from her window, and I’m starting to think we’re parked here illegally.”
I can hear Wallace’s crackly laugh through Rowan’s speakerphone.“I think she wants you, bro.”
Footsteps suddenly hurry across the floor behind the door. My heart jumps, pounding harder and faster.
“Shut up! She’s coming to the door!” I whisper.
The boys go quiet and the door swings open.
Stella beams at me. Even if it’s 7:30 at night, she’s in a dramatic silk robe with her black hair swept into that signature high ponytail.
“Kai!” Stella sighs as she takes me in. “Ugh, you both are going to look amazing tonight.”
The knots in my throat ease up a little. A smile breaks across my face. “Thanks, Stella. Is Diana ready?”
“Oh, she’s more than ready.” Stella trills over her shoulder, “Oh,Dianaaa!”
She steps back, prying the door open a little wider. I step into the apartment and my grip on the flowers slackens.
Holy shit.
Diana stands there, glowing under the chandeliers. The crystal garlands radiate into her black curls and illuminate the simple, lace dress that hugs her curves. My knees nearly give out when those dark eyes glance up at me, black as smoke, yet bright as stars.
Diana smiles, her arms winding behind her back. “Hi.”
My mouth falls open, yet the words don’t come.
“Tell her she looks radiant like the sun!”Luke prods.
“Say it with gravitas!”Wallace instructs.
Rowan scoffs.“You’re both making him sound like a medieval fuck boy.”
“That’s how Lord Felmire snatched Lady Constance in theDevious Countess.You, on the other hand, have no bitches,”Luke snaps.“Pipe down on the judgment, Kaneshiro.”
Diana cocks her head. Worry tinges her voice, “Kai?”
“You look radiant,” I blurt out.
Her brows furrow as she smiles unsurely at me. “Thank you?”
“Y-You’re welcome,” I sputter.
Rowan sighs.“That was pitiful.
“It’s okay, champ!”Luke claps his hands.“We have all night! Keep your head up!”
“You got this!”Wallace cheers.
For dinner, I take Diana to Bramble and Oak. It’s a romantic, yet secluded diner tucked into the corner of a Christmas tree farm. Fairy lights and garlands frame the windows that glow gold under the fading sun. Elderly couples quietly admire it all as they sip hot chocolate from chunky, ceramic mugs.
I think my awkward energy will die down the second we get to the diner. But it doesn’t.
It only gets so much worse.
“It’s nice to walk through a door and not have people stare at me,” Diana sighs.
