Page 59 of I Can't Help It

How annoying.

I shouldn’t get so wrapped up in the technicalities of it all.

I like Luke. Luke likes me. And that’s enough for now. Isn’t it?

“Judging by your sudden silence, I’m assuming you’ve realized that I’m right about this?”

I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. “I guess so.”

“Ew, you still sound moody. When are you guys going to kiss again? Do you have to share the bed tonight too?”

“I don’t know when we’re going to kiss again.” I’m still very bitter that it didn’t happen on our walk. “And no, I’ll be in my own room tonight.”

With my own bed. Without Luke.

“Boooooo! I need more drama! More angst! More romance!”

“You need to calm down,” I deadpan. “This isn’t a reality TV show, Sloane.”

“Reality TV shows get too much hate.” She fakes a sniffle. “So, where’s Luke at anyway? Because I know you wouldn’t have spilled your guts like that if he was close by.”

“He’s downstairs. Talking to the front desk guy about our itinerary for today.”

In that exact moment, I hear the click of our room door being unlocked.

I curse under my breath as I scramble to sit up. “Sloane, I’ll talk to you later!”

“Why are you whispering? Is he there? You should kiss him and—”

“Goodbye, Sloane!” I hiss before ending the call.

“Well, it looks like we’re all set for today,” Luke says, coming into view. “Bingo will be first, then a cooking class where we’ll be making our own lunch, and after that I thought we could explore the town some more. Maybe do a little shopping?”

I silently thank Colton again for suggesting my presence on this trip. Spending days and days with Luke is a dream come true, and Colton is my very own fairy godmother.

Even if he doesn’t know that.

“Unless you want to do something different, of course,” he continues, now looking flustered. “I’m sure Shy could help me make changes to any of the daily itineraries. If there’s an activity that you want to add or take away, just let me know and we’ll make it happen.”

Does kissing count as an activity that I can add to our daily itineraries?

Ha, just kidding!

But seriously.

“Luke, this is your on-site visit,” I finally say. “And I’m sure whatever you have planned will be great. You don’t have to make changes just because I was a last-minute addition to the trip.”

“I know I don’t have to.” He moves closer to me and the bed. “But I’d want to. For you.”

He gives me the cutest little smile, and warm tingles spread through my body as he stands right in front of me. “So, promise that you’ll tell me if you want any changes made?”

All I can do is nod and pray that Sloane doesn’t blow up my phone with inappropriate texts about Luke since my phone screen is now within his line of vision.

“Perfect,” he says as I discreetly shove the phone under my thigh. “Oh, I asked Shy about your room, and he said it’d be ready soon. Like another hour or so? I thought we could head downstairs for bingo and then come back up here afterward to move your stuff.”

“I’m fine with that. When does bingo start?”

He glances at his bare wrist, and I adore him for it. “Uh, in ten minutes? Which means there should be enough time for you to look over the other itineraries, just in case.”

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