Hashtag couplegoals.
Once we’re outside, Luca walks me to my door. We linger on my stoop for a moment in silence; if I had to guess, I’d say we’re both more than a little afraid toshatterit.
“You’ll be needing this,” he mutters finally, passing Fenway intomyarms.
I smile as I take the puppy from him. “Thanks again, for all you didtoday.”
“No need to thankme,babe.”
“There is, though.” I swallow. “Between getting my phone back from Mr. McGuire, talking to the police on my behalf, and helping with the twins… I don’t know how I’ll everrepayyou.”
There’s a beat ofsilence.
I can think of a few ways, his eyes inform me, so heated I think I mightcombust.
I take a hasty step backward, out of his space. “I’ll see you around,Buchanan.”
His lips twist. “That you will,Delilah.”
“At Phoebe’s Christmas party,” I say, only halfteasing.
His lips twist. “Beforethen,babe.”
“Oh? Is there a Halloween party I’munawareof?”
His smirk turns into asmile. “Nope.”
“FourthofJuly?”
He shakeshishead.
I sigh. “Well, I’m fresh out ofholidays.”
“Has to be a holiday party for us to crosspaths,huh?”
“Based on our history, I’d say yes. The past few days have been… anexception.”
“Uh huh.” His smile becomes a grin. “So, what’s the plan? You go back to leaving a room whenever I walkintoit?”
“I so don’t do that.” I huffindignantly.
He stares at me, still grinning, thebastard.
Okay, Imightdo that.Occasionally.
“What do you want me to say? I’m sorry, Luca. I’m sorry I’ve been a bitch to you. Is that what you needtohear?”
“Don’tneedto hear anything, babe.Wantto hear your reasoning for it. But you take your time with that explanation. Don’t mind waiting for you to figure it out, even if Ialreadyhave.”
“And what exactly have youfigured out, oh mighty all-seeingone?”
He shrugs. “From where I’m standing, the past few days with me you haven’t once knocked over any board games or flailed like a fish out of water or walked into any large appliances. You haven’t been squirrellyatall.”
“I’m neversquirrelly!”
“Babe, you get any squirrelier, I’m afraid I’m gonna find you hoarding acorns forwinter.”
I glare at him. “You’re notfunny.”