37. No catching feelings
Thirty-Seven
NO CATCHING FEELINGS
Liv
“Guys, color me impressed. That was amazing.” Viv dabs at her face with her napkin and leans back in her chair, rubbing her full belly.
“We aim to please.” Josh nods, refilling glasses with wine.
“So, you ladies leave when?” Luke asks, looking between Viv and me.
“We head out on Sunday at some point. We’ll probably leave first thing in the morning so we don’t get home too late,” Viv answers.
Something about going home creates a sinking feeling in my stomach. It’s been nice—really nice—to feel so carefree these last six or seven days. To wake up to the sound of the birds and the view of the lake rather than honking cars and delivery trucks.
I stare at my glass of wine, twisting the stem between my fingers. Two more full days, and it’s back to real life. I look up at Luke, not expecting him to be looking back at me, but he is. A weight settles in my chest.
No catching feelings.
“Done with that?” I ask Josh, reaching for his plate and standing.
“Oh, yeah, thanks!” He looks up at me and then resumes his conversation with Viv.
I grab Viv and Luke’s plates too, piling them on top of mine, and head for the kitchen. Luke grabs the tray of vegetables and leftover pieces of grilled steak and follows me inside.
“Garbage?” I scan the kitchen. Luke pulls open a cabinet door next to the sink and slides the garbage out. He sets to work, pulling out Tupperware for the leftovers and putting them in the fridge. I scrape the plates and begin rinsing them.
We clean up in comfortable silence. I wash, he dries and puts the plates back in their designated cabinet.
“Thanks again for dinner. Tonight was great,” I say, drying my hands on the dishtowel and looking out the window at the lightning bugs dancing between the trees.
Luke’s strong arms wrap around me. His chin rests on my shoulder momentarily before his soft lips find the sensitive spot on my neck, kissing me lightly.
“Will you stay a little longer?” Luke’s lips move against me as he speaks. My stomach somersaults with anticipation.
I turn to face him, his arms still wrapped around me, and reach my hands up to play with the hair at the base of his head.
“I’m just… not ready for you to leave yet.”
I ignore the small part of me that briefly wishes he was asking me to stay in Maple Cove longer—which is silly. My neglected heart can’t help wishing to be wanted by someone for longer than a few vacation days. Rationally, though, I know he just means tonight.
“I can walk you back later.”
Truth is, I don’t want to leave yet either. I want to soak up as much time as I can.
“Okay, but you will have to walk me back. I didn’t bring my pepper spray.”
“Wouldn’t want you to be abducted.” He kisses my nose.
“And dismembered.”
“Then thrown in the lake.” He kisses my jaw.
“Yeah, that’s not how I want to go out.”
“I’d miss you.” His lips find mine. Something in the way he says it makes my heart stutter, and I hold back the words I want to say. I’d miss you, too.
“You should. I’m wonderful,” I say instead, turning toward the door.
“So I’m discovering.” Luke gives me one more kiss and a playful slap on the butt.