Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
“ Y ou don’t have to walk me into work every morning, you know,” Serenity said, though she knew her smile gave away how she truly felt.
Luca held the back door open for her. “I want to.”
Serenity stretched up on tiptoe to kiss his stubbly cheek. “Thank you.”
He nodded, his usual stoic, in-charge look on his face. “Is Kensley helping you today?”
Serenity nodded, walking toward her office to put away her bag. “Yeah. She comes in after school, and I step into the back to get paperwork and online stuff done.”
“Maybe you should get a second helper,” he mused. “You’re here every day.”
Serenity shrugged. “Last summer I had another couple of workers who helped over the weekends, but when winter hit, there wasn’t much of a need for them.”
“Even if it’s just to give you a break,” he said. “It would be worth it.”
“Probably.” Serenity set her stuff down, then looked up. Luca stood in the doorway, leaning his shoulder against the frame. She frowned, tilting her head to the side. “You look like you have something on your mind.”
Luca pinched his lips together. “Maybe.”
“Anything you want to share?”
He twisted his lips to the side. “Are you sure you have time?”
Serenity glanced at the wall clock. “As long as you can talk while I do a quick dusting, then yeah. When do you need to be at work?”
“At nine.”
She nodded. “Then follow me and chat away.” She grabbed her duster and slipped past him toward the front of the store. As she started to dust, Serenity looked over her shoulder raising her eyebrows. “Well?”
Luca rubbed his head. “I’ve been thinking about what Officer Montoya said the other day.”
“About the boy?”
Luca shook his head. “No…about me becoming a policeman.”
Serenity paused and slowly turned to face him, her heart plummeting to her stomach. “What?”
“He said I’d make a good cop,” Luca said again. “And I’ve been trying to think of new career choices.” He grunted. “I don’t really want to be my brother’s slave labor forever.”
“I can understand that.” She hoped he couldn’t hear the panic in her voice. All Serenity could think about was how terrified she’d been when she’d heard the chaos on the streets and knew that Luca was a part of it.
She’d almost lost him once to a dangerous career, and now he wanted to take up a job that would put him in that position every time he put on the uniform? She honestly wasn’t sure if she had the wherewithal to handle that again…or more importantly, for the rest of their lives.
“I just…” Luca sighed and rubbed his head again. “I think he might be right. With my military experience, I think being a police officer might be a good fit.” He looked up from under his lashes, his face declaring he was unsure of her reception of his words. “It would allow me to make a difference while still living here. I’m sure I could get on with Montoya, if we wanted. You could run your store, and when the time is right…” He trailed off and made a face. “Sorry. That wasn’t how I pictured saying all that.”
“Saying what?” The words had gone completely over Serenity’s head as soon as she’d pictured him dealing with drug dealers and criminals all day.
“The idea of us getting married and making a life for ourselves here.”
Serenity gasped and dropped her duster.
“I mean…I think it would be best if we waited until I was done with the academy. It only takes about five months, so it wouldn’t be that long. Right? It’s way shorter than what we planned when we were younger, right?” He blew out a breath. “The point though, is that I didn’t want to jump into this without talking to you about it. When you forgave me and gave us a second chance, I promised myself that I wouldn’t make a decision this important without you ever again, so I’m trying to honor that. But I’m still unsure about it myself, and I basically just proposed to you. So I’m kind of a mess, and now I’m rambling and sounding like an idiot, so I’m going to stop.”
His mouth snapped shut, and Serenity stood frozen. Though the red on the tips of Luca’s ears should have been humorous, she couldn’t move. Her heart was beating swiftly against her rib cage, and her stomach felt like it was filled with lead.
The idea of Luca being an officer made her sick. Absolutely sick.
She didn’t want to stay up all night wondering and waiting if he would come home safely. She’d spent years being that dutiful girlfriend, and she had no desire to go back to it.
This was their second chance, and it was supposed to be better. They were older, more mature and hopefully, more realistic. She wanted to shout “NO, absolutely not!” How could he even ask this of her after what already happened?
Instead, Serenity held her tongue. “That’s a lot to unfold, but can we set aside some of it for a moment?” Was her voice as raspy as it felt? “Do you want to be an officer?” she forced herself to ask.
Luca turned his head and stared into the distance for several long seconds. “I think,” he said slowly. “That I’m intrigued enough to learn more.” He looked back, the line between his eyebrows just deep enough to tell her he was still worried about her reaction.
Serenity worked to keep her breathing slow and calm. There was still a chance this wouldn’t happen. He wasn’t ready to jump into the deep end. He just wanted to learn more. She could let him do that. She could agree to that.
“Then let’s learn more.” The words burned her throat, and she swallowed several times. No, no, no… She didn’t want to do this again.
But Luca was right. Officer Montoya was right. Luca would make an amazing officer. His sense of duty and protective instinct were above and beyond, and he’d always had a desire to change the world.
It was why he’d gone into the military.
Now that being a soldier wasn’t an option, law enforcement was almost the same line of work, just more local rather than global.
Serenity scolded herself for not seeing this coming. It was totally her fault for being blind to the possibility.
Luca blew out a breath, and his shoulders fell several inches. Grabbing her waist, he kissed one cheek, then the other, taking a moment to lean back so he could stare at her. “You’re amazing,” he whispered before kissing her until her knees were anything but steady. “Thank you,” he whispered against her mouth as he pulled back.
After holding onto her long enough for Serenity to get her knees to stop shaking, Luca winked and started backing away. “I better go before I can’t. I’ll see you after work. We’ll get some dinner before the meeting,” he said, his smile wide and easy and completely breaking Serenity’s heart with how happy he was. With one last intense look, he turned and disappeared into the back.
Serenity held herself in check until the back door closed, then she allowed her knees to crumple. Tears ran down her cheeks, and she couldn’t catch her breath. What was she going to do? If she stopped him, it would break Luca’s heart. But if he pushed forward, it would break her own.
Slowly, she shook her head. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Getting back together was supposed to make things better, not worse. Luca had proposed marriage and a nightmare career in one fell swoop…this should have been the most amazing day of Serenity’s life, not the worst.
For the first time in weeks, Luca’s work day flew by. He’d been shocked by Serenity’s response this morning, positive that she’d turn his idea down flat. Instead, she’d proven just how amazing she was…again.
Luca shook his head as he parked behind the shop. How could the woman just keep giving and giving? It blew his mind, and he wanted nothing more than to be able to give back in return. But what? What could he do that could possibly show how much he appreciated her acceptance of him?
The regular stuff like flowers and chocolates just wasn’t enough. What would be? He’d kinda blown the whole proposal thing…but maybe he could set up something better? They’d ended up glossing over it as she asked about the police academy, and then Luca had left before they’d ever come back around to the topic.
He grinned. He was going to plan the best proposal ever. Eventually. He’d have to do some major thinking. Maybe even get Shiloh involved to figure out exactly what Serenity would enjoy the most.
His steel-toed boots kicked up gravel as he practically sprinted to the back door. He was ready to hold Serenity close and get a long kiss after being separated all day. He finally had a good idea of their futurem and it would include a job that suited him well and the woman he loved.
Everything was looking perfect.
He knocked but didn’t wait for her to come let him in, opening the door instead. “Seri?”
“In here,” she said, the sound coming from her office.
Luca grinned and hurried over, slowing when he noticed that her eyes were a little bloodshot. “Hey,” he said carefully. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”
Serenity sniffed and wiped at her nose with a tissue. “Fine,” she said. “Just allergies, I think.”
“I didn’t know you had allergies.”
Serenity shrugged. “It’s spring.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry. Are you still feeling up to the meeting tonight?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I’m almost finished here. Just let me put in a few more numbers, okay?”
“What can I do to help?” He walked around the desk and kissed her cheek. It wasn’t quite the greeting he’d been hoping for, but if she wasn’t feeling well, he wasn’t going to complain.
She gave him a smile, but it lacked its usual brilliance. “Nothing. Just give me a minute, okay?”
Luca nodded, still slightly concerned that she was getting sick, and sat down in the closest chair. He bounced his foot as quietly as possible, then finally pulled out his phone and began scrolling while he waited. After a minute, he put it away. Social media had never really interested him. He just couldn’t get into it.
The clock on the wall clicked slowly, making it feel like he was sitting there forever, but if the minute hand was to be believed, it had only been three minutes total. Luca shook his head at himself. He was being stupid.
“Okay.” Serenity shut her computer and put her hands on the arms of her chair. “Ready?”
Luca jumped to his feet. He really needed to find a way to vent this energy, or he’d end up tripping over his own feet. “Yes, ma’am.”
Serenity scrunched her nose. “I’m not a ma’am.”
Luca grinned. “I’m ready, sweetheart.” He held out his hand, which she took with a soft smile. “Better,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
“Your smile. It’s more genuine now.”
Serenity’s cheeks turned pink. “Sorry. It’s been a long day.”
Luca led her to the back door. “Wanna talk about it?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. Let’s just head back to my place. I’ll make dinner, and we can set up for the meeting.”
“Or, I can make dinner,” Luca offered.
She gave him the side eye. “Have your culinary skills improved? Last I knew, you could make spaghetti and pancakes.”
Luca shrugged. “No one can argue with the classics.”
She laughed softly. “I think I’d prefer something else tonight. How about you plan our next meal?”
Luca tugged her closer with the hand he was holding, leaving a long kiss on her temple. “You win,” he whispered against her skin. “You always win.”
Serenity didn’t speak, but Luca was positive he heard another sniffle.
Frowning, he bent over to see her face. “Are you okay? Are you sure you’re not getting sick?”
Serenity waved her free hand in front of her face. “Ignore me. I’m just being stupid.” She took in a deep breath and blew it out. “Okay. Homeward bound.” She squeezed his hand, then let go to open her car door. “See you in a couple.”
“I’ll count the seconds,” Luca said with a smile before bounding off to his truck. He was definitely in a hurry. His alone time with Serenity would be limited with all the shop owners coming over, and he wanted as much of it as he could get.
Parking on the street, Luca locked his truck and met Serenity at her car. Taking her hand again, they sauntered to the door, Luca enjoying every minute of it. “So,” he began as they went inside, “What are we eating?”
Serenity gave him an exaggerated glare. “Beggars don’t get to be choosers.”
Luca put his hands in the air, yanking hers upright with the movement. “I would never.”
“But you’re starving,” she finished for him.
He shrugged. “You know me too well.”
Serenity closed her eyes and shook her head with a smile. “Come on, Bald Sasquatch. Let’s see what’s in the fridge.”
“Bald Sasquatch?” Luca dead panned. “Really?”
“It’s a work in progress.”
He let her hand go as they got to the kitchen, and she began to dig through the cupboards and fridge.
“How about you grill some chicken, and I’ll make a caesar salad?”
“Deal.” Luca was glad she he was going to let him help. She really looked worn out, and he wanted to help but wasn’t sure how. This was perfect. She was perfect. This whole domestic situation was perfect.
Luca couldn’t stop smiling as he took the chicken out to the back patio and fired up the small grill. He looked forward to them doing this every night during the summer, then cuddling on the couch afterwards. The police academy couldn’t come and go fast enough.