14. Lost In The Weeds
LOST IN THE WEEDS
“Woozer,” Gabriela said almost two weeks later. “I thought that suit looked good when you were trying it on, but now it’s next level.”
Luca’s thumbs flicked at the collar of his suit jacket, giving him some swagger.
“I thought I looked pretty damn good myself. But you.” His fingers went to his lips, gave a loud kissing sound and then flicked it away sending it to her.
Or maybe that was what she just secretly hoped for. “Perfection.”
This playful side of him.
Yep, sign her up for more.
She did a little spin in her black dress. One shoulder bare, the other a thick strap at an angle, hugging her body and showing off a bit more than she’d thought. It was tight at the waist, straight down her hips and landing right past her knees. The black pumps with red soles were the final touch.
She wanted him to notice and it looked like he had.
For fun, because that was what she was all about, she did another little twirl.
Did she want to wiggle her ass at him?
Hell yeah.
But they were friends. She had to keep reminding herself of that.
If he wanted more, he wasn’t really letting her know one way or another.
And for someone who was good at reading signs, she was lost in the weeds now.
“Well, I do try.”
“Who knows I’m coming with you tonight?” he asked.
She reached for her jacket on the hook, slipped it on, then flipped the front porch light on.
“My parents, my brother and Justine. To everyone else, you’re just a colleague. And a friend.”
She had to throw that out there. It was more or less a reminder for her to keep it clean.
Regardless of the fact that they’d spent some time together Thursday and Friday. She’d worked her five days, then he worked his rotation. Thursday was his first day off and they met up at the gym again, then got lunch.
Yesterday, she went to his place and watched a movie.
He almost seemed embarrassed over his rental home, but she didn’t care one way or another.
It was just another older home on the island with character and charm, modern inside, and worked for a place to crash when not at the hospital.
Or maybe it was the lack of personal touches he had inside of it.
She knew. She was looking.
Not that she’d gone into his room, where maybe there were pictures there.
Nope, they stayed in the living room, watched an action flick, got drinks and snacks in the kitchen and then she was out the door right after dinner because she knew her parents were on the island.
They hadn’t asked what she’d been doing that afternoon and she sure the hell didn’t volunteer it.
Though she was positive her mother could figure it out.
“And do your parents know we are friends or do they think it’s something more?” he asked.
He opened the front door, stepped out, she followed and scrunched up her nose where he couldn’t see her.
Why couldn’t she get a read on this situation? Or why he was even asking.
“I told them we work together. That’s it. Do they know I’m showing you around the island some, or we workout at the same gym? Sure, it’s come up. Why?”
“No reason,” he said. They climbed into his SUV, then he drove to the casino.
Yep, got nothing more out of him and wasn’t surprised either.
Her parents were already there, her mother helping to get things ready, her father just in the casino.
She was tempted to pick Luca up, but this worked out just fine.
It didn’t take long to get to the casino.
“They’ve had it here for the past few years. I didn’t tell you, several years ago they auctioned off members of the family.”
“What?” he asked, turning to look at her.
“You should see how wide your eyes are. It’s not like that.”
“What am I supposed to think?” He nudged her arm. “Were you part of it?”
“No. I was doing my residency and not even around. There were a few people who got bid on for dates and the funny part, they ended up married.”
“No,” he said, turning to look at her. “Tell me you’re joking.”
“I kind of wish I was. I don’t know why I haven’t even thought of that in years. Let’s see, Emily Rauch, she owns Atlantic Rise with her sister. Her husband, Crew, was her mailman, still is, but he bid on her for a date. Guess they both had a crush, but he pushed it and it worked out.”
“I guess that is one way to get someone’s attention.”
“Hailey Bond, her husband, Rex, bid on her for a date and it bombed. Really bombed. We heard about this all later. Then they came into contact months later and tried again, and they are married with two kids. The same with Emily and Crew. Two kids.”
“Who else is there?” he asked. “This is fascinating. Don’t tell me it’s all the same fundraiser. Like that year.”
“Oh, it was.” She was nodding her head at him. “It’s the only year they did it. Bode Bond. His wife, Sam. Sam’s parents bid on him to do work in their house. Of course at the time he’d never met Sam or anything like that. But later they met through work and it just was one of those funny things.”
“One of those funny island things I’ve read about?”
Her head swiveled fast. “You know about that?”
“I didn’t right away,” he said. “I’ve had time on my hands being off.”
“And me not being around to entertain you.” She smirked and wiggled her eyebrows.
“I never used to need to be entertained, but I’m not complaining. Even having to put this suit on.”
“I noticed you ditched the tie.”
“Sorry. I hate those fuckers.”
She giggled and then immediately covered her mouth, surprised by the sound. She couldn’t remember the last time anything had pulled that reaction out of her.
“My brother says the same thing,” she said. “I don’t think many people will wear them. You’ll be fine.”
“I’m not going back for it,” he said. “So it has to be fine.”
She liked him better without it.
Just a personal preference.
The light blue—almost silver—pinstriped shirt she’d convinced him to buy looked sharp enough on its own. Clean. Effortless. Dangerous.
And his brown shoes were darker than the ones she’d seen him wear to the office. Nicer.
She was seeing another side of Luca.
One she’d definitely be dreaming about later.
One she needed to ignore if she planned on getting through the night without saying something she couldn’t take back.
Humor had gotten her this far.
Since it came naturally, she stuck with it.
She glanced over at him as they pulled into the parking garage. Maybe she should give him a heads up since they’d be showing up together.
She could say they were friends all she wanted, but other family members might not believe her.
She was starting to wonder if she believed it herself.
But then again, it would just mean it was only one-sided.
Been there before with a man.
“Just so you know, once we walk in there, you’re officially family-adjacent as long as you’re by my side.”
“Family-adjacent,” he repeated. “Is that better or worse than actually being family?”
“It depends,” she said. “You’ll know within the first five minutes of being swarmed.”
He found a parking spot and pulled in neatly, then turned to her. “Five minutes feels aggressive. Should I be scared?”
“Trust me, that’s restraint in the Bond family. At least from the older generation. The younger ones will just watch, wait, and laugh.”
He sighed dramatically, enjoying this game as much as her. “Any survival tips before I’m released into the wild?”
He got her. That she was busting his ass and he was playing along the way she hoped.
Who knew it’d be this much fun to have a guy who got her personality?
“Yes. Rule one. Don’t let my cousins corner you.”
“Which cousins?”
“Doesn’t matter. Someone is bound to and there are a lot of them in there. If you feel like it’s hard to breathe, just run.”
He burst out laughing. “Got it. What about your parents?”
“My mother will smile like she’s harmless,” she said. “She is not. She’ll know your blood type by dessert.”
He nodded as if he was being serious when she knew he wasn’t. “I’ll know to keep that to myself. And your father?”
“Stoic. Observant. If he likes you, you’ll never know. If he doesn’t, you’ll also never know.”
He stared solemnly like he was contemplating his next move. “I can’t say you didn’t prepare me. I’m mildly terrified, but ready.”
“Good,” she said. “That’s the correct emotional state.” She patted his leg and winked. “You’ll be alright.”
“If I break out my wallet, will they leave me alone faster?”
“Well, depends on how much you let fly. If it’s a lot, you might find yourself circled by the vultures.”
“How about if I just slip into the casino unnoticed while the bidding is going on?”
She opened the car door for them to get out. If she didn’t, she’d find them sitting here all night going back and forth.
And as much fun as it was, it was also way too tempting.
The way he glanced at her in the dim light.
The smell of whatever he had on. Could be soap. Could be aftershave since he’d cleaned up really well.
Though she had to admit she liked the rough look of his facial hair on his days off.
Or maybe it was just his presence that was enough to suck her into his vortex, blinding her to the fact that he had a ton of baggage he might be trying to pretend he didn’t.
“You won’t be alone in the casino. That could be your best bet of the night.”
“Blackjack it is. Your cousin Eli can get my money tonight.”