Page 95 of The Switch: A Friends To Lovers Romance

“Well…”

“What is he talking about?” Luke asked, staring at her.

Ashanti grabbed the nearest bag, rummaged inside and pulled out a bunch of plantains. “How about stew beans with beef and fried plantains?”

Luke lowered her hand. “How about you tell me about that Indian guy you were seeing?”

“I wasn’t seeing an Indian guy,” Ashanti said.

“You were crying and fussing over this guy?” Randal pointed to Luke, his face creased with bewilderment.

“Wait, you were crying? When?”

“I wasn’t crying!” Ashanti shrieked.

Randal turned to Luke, his eyes glistening. “She was moaning and bawling about some girl not being accepted by her friend’s parents. I told her the girl must have feelings for the guy if she took those racist stereotypes personally.” Randal rubbed his chin. “I wondered why you never recommended the book.”

Luke smirked. “Your dad was the one who pointed out that you might like me?”

“I don’t want to talk about this.” Ashanti ran around the island counter to the fridge.

Luke and Randal exchanged smiles.

She buried her head in the freezer and let the cool air hide her own grin. When she was calm, Ashanti shut the door and whirled on her father. “Fine, two can play that game.”

“What are you talking about?” Randal asked.

“You said you met someone on the cruise and then the phone mysteriously cut off right after.”

Randal stared at his watch. “Would you look at the time? I need to visit some friends before it gets too late.”

“Not so fast, mister.” Ashanti held out her hand to stop him.

Luke laughed.

She glanced at him and winked. “It looks like I’m not the only one who fell in love while you were away.”

Her dad ducked his head and babbled something about privacy and respecting her elders, but Ashanti just laughed away his excuses until he told her all about the women he’d met on the cruise.

Luke ended up staying for dinner and it was like old times. Except it wasn’t.

Because Luke held her hand underneath the table, rubbing his thumb over the back of her knuckles. And when her dad conked out after their big lunch, she and Luke stole kisses in the hallway until it was time for him to go home.

Ashanti saw him to the door, whispering so she didn’t disturb her dad who was snoring on the couch. “I forgot to ask. Did you meet with your dad today?”

He nodded.

Ashanti saw his tightening lips and darkening eyes and took an educated guess. “It didn’t go well.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Luke caressed her cheek. “I choose you.”

Guilt flooded her. A part of loving someone was wanting them to be happy, no matter what. Luke turning his back on his parents would be hard and definitely wouldn’t make him happy. “I know, but…”

“Ash,” he leaned closer, “I choose you.”

She sucked her protests back into her mouth and said, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He tilted his head. “I mean it. No more crying over what they say.”

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