10. Diana
Diana
I could not keep my eyes off of Luca as he walked away.
His back muscles rippling in the sun, and his calves flexing with every step he took in the sand.
My gaze never left him until he was completely out of sight.
I'm not sure what made me take the deal of spending time with him just for the week. Especially when my head kept yelling at me, reminding me of every single reason why the word no should’ve been on the tip of my tongue.
Like the fact that he's seven years younger than me, or how about that he lives here in Mexico and I live in Los Angeles.
After talking with Luca last night, he's also still trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life.
I don't want to be the reason that he doesn't achieve anything, I would feel guilty. No, I could never do that to someone.
But my heart was just a little bit louder, telling me that I would regret any decision that didn't include spending more time with him. That it would all be worth it. But I'm scared as hell. What if I walk away from all of this and I’m even more confused then I was before I came here.
"Excuse me?" a male voice interrupts me, breaking me from my thoughts. I turn and see a man standing in front of me. He looks familiar, but I can't place my finger on it.
"Yes?" I ask, wondering what this is about.
"Are you Diana?" he asks.
I don't answer, but instead I ask, "Are you a fan?"
"Not really," he starts, making my brows shoot up. He must be able to tell because he tries to correct, "I mean, yes. But we met last night, I'm friends with Luca."
Oh, that's probably why he seems familiar. I only sat with his friends for a few minutes, so it makes sense that I don't quite remember him. Sitting up straighter in my lounger, I place my hand out. "Nice to meet you. What's your name again?"
"Gael," he answers as he takes my hand, shaking it before sitting down on the lounger next to me.
"Do you work here, too?"
"I do. I work in the lifeguard headquarters as an administrator," he explains.
"Well, Gael, how can I help you?" I ask him. I'm sure he didn't come here just to introduce himself.
"I just wanted to give you some friendly advice," he says.
"And what is that?" I snap at him while crossing my arms over chest.
"Just be careful with Luca. He's softer than he looks," he mumbles, looking down at his feet.
I relax a little with his words, because Gael is just trying to be a good friend to Luca and protect him the best way he knows how. If I was in his position with Jessica or Jade, I would do the same. "Are you trying to warn me away from him?" I whisper.
He shakes his head. "No. I'm not saying anything like that. I want you to spend time together. Luca is a great guy. You guys will enjoy being together. I'm just saying be careful with him. He comes off as a tough guy, but he's really a softie. Loyal to the end which is what makes him so great."
"I'll take what you are saying under advisement," I tell him, leaning back. His words are what I was worried about in the first place. I don't want to be someone who hurts another person. Maybe we can just do things together, but I'll just make sure to keep it as friends?
"Great. While you're here, you should have Luca take you on a tour of the desert on his ATV. It's a lot of fun," he says, standing up from the lounger.
"That does sound fun. I'll ask him. Thanks."
"No problem. Well, I hope to see you again before you leave, but if not, enjoy your visit."
"Thanks."
Once Gael is out of sight, I pull up my messages and see Luca's contact name, making me laugh.
Me: Gael just stopped by.
The Hot Lifeguard: And what did he say?
Me: He wanted me to be nice to you and to tell you to take me on your ATV around the desert.
The Hot Lifeguard: Ignore whatever he said on the first part and yes to the second part. Dinner tonight. Desert tomorrow?
Me: Sounds like a plan.
The Hot Lifeguard: See you at 6 then.
Me: See you then.