16. Lucia
sixteen
Lucia
Rory
Paging Mrs. Spencer
Harlow
Not married yet, babe
Lucia
You get married literally next weekend, Lo
Harlow
Which means I’m technically still Miss Pierce, not Mrs. Spencer
Ella
Are we really getting into semantics before I’ve had my coffee?
Rory
You’re drinking decaf coffee, Ell
Ella
Let me enjoy my placebo coffee in peace
Lucia
Liv is being too quiet
Olive
Sage was up half the night coughing
I’m barely awake right now
Harlow
Tell your man to get you some caffeine, then
Olive
Didn’t even need to ask
Lane got me the largest caramel latte that Urban Grind sells
Lucia
God, you guys are fucking cute
Ella
We should set Lucia up with someone
Rory
A little birdie told me she may have handled that on her own
Lucia
Is that little birdie named Cole?
Harlow
What are we missing here?
Lucia
That I don’t know how your brother didn’t blab about your fake relationship with Knox because he can’t keep anything to himself?
Harlow
That’s not new news
Olive
Did something happen, Luc?
Lucia
I’ll fill you guys in when I see you in a bit
I throw my head back and sigh, setting my phone down on the kitchen counter.
I knew Cole would tell Rory about Ari and me hooking up. Honestly, the biggest surprise is that it’s taken a week for her to bring it up.
I have no desire to hide who I’ve been with, so it’s not like I care that everyone finds out. I’m just not wanting to deal with the onslaught of pestering our friends are going to give us now.
“Morning, Spitfire,” Ari says as he walks into the kitchen, startling me. “Jumpy today, eh?”
I roll my eyes. “I didn’t know you were there.”
He looks at me curiously now. “What are you wearing, Luc?”
I can’t help but smirk since this outfit is an intentional choice. “What do you mean?” I ask, feigning innocence.
“You’re wearing a baseball jersey in January.”
“And?”
“Why? And who?”
“Hoping it’s yours, Casanova?” I tease as I turn around and pull my hair out of the way.
I can hear Ari scoff from behind me. “Why are you wearing Knox’s jersey right now?”
“Knox is my friend,” I shrug. “And we’re about to do our final dress fittings for the wedding, where my best friend will literally be marrying him.”
“Yeah,” he derides. “I’m sure that’s the reason.”
“Why else would I wear this?”
“Because you slept with me, and you think that wearing my friend’s jersey is going to annoy me.”
Bingo.
“Oh, I’d never,” I say theatrically, hand to my chest.
“Yes, you would,” he laughs, and I can’t help but laugh in return.
“I totally would.”
Ari just shakes his head. “It sure is an experience living with you.”
“You don’t hate it,” I smirk.
“I don’t,” he admits. “You’re not as bad as I thought you were, Lucia.”
I can’t help the fact that his admission makes me smile. “You aren’t either,” I state. “You’re still annoying, but you’re not bad.”
He puts his hand over his chest. “Lucia Torres does have a heart.”
“Eres un cabrón.”
“What does that mean?”
“I said you’re an asshole,” I chuckle, grabbing my phone from the counter. “Gotta meet with the girls.”
“Have fun,” he calls as I grab my purse and head out the door.
And honestly? I am having fun.
Living with Ari is a lot more fun than I expected it to be.
Dr. Coltrain
Good morning, Lucia
Lucia
Good morning, Dr. Coltrain
Dr. Coltrain
I hope you enjoyed your holidays
I know Spring Training doesn’t begin until next month, but I’m planning a meeting for the training team in the next couple of weeks
Would you be able to attend?
Lucia
Of course
Let me know when it is, and I’ll be there
I’ve enjoyed the offseason, but I’m looking forward to getting back to work
Dr. Coltrain
Wonderful
I’ll see you soon
I shrug off my coat as I walk into Rana Dagon’s studio. Perks of marrying a world-famous baseball pitcher include that a world-renowned fashion designer obsessed with your love story is thrilled to be making your dresses.
Ella eyes me as I walk over to meet the girls. “What are you wearing, Luc?”
I sigh and laugh. “I’m fucking with Ari.”
“By wearing my husband’s jersey?” Harlow asks.
I raise my eyebrow. “Thought you weren’t married yet?”
“You told me it was close enough,” she teases. “Now, what’s with you wearing that to fuck with Ari?”
Rory pipes up now as Liv looks on with rapt attention. “Oh, I can answer that if she won’t.”
“Oh, shush, you,” I state, pointing my finger at her while she dissolves into laughter.
“What does this have to do with Ari?” Liv questions.
I let out a breath. “Because Ari and I hooked up on New Year’s.”
Olive, Harlow, and Ella scream loudly while Rory just smiles since she already knows.
“You slept with Ari?!” Ella asks excitedly.
“Yes,” I admit. “I wanted sex, and he was there. It was just a one-time thing.”
Yup.
One-time only.
Definitely don’t want him and his fancy dick again.
“Is it weird living together now?” Liv asks, seemingly surprised by my admission.
“No,” I shrug. “Why would it be weird? We slept together once, and we’re good now.”
Harlow looks at me curiously. “Are you friends now?”
“I wouldn’t say we’re friends, but we don’t really dislike each other anymore. He’s… alright.”
“That might as well be a declaration of love,” Rory laughs, “with the way you two have always been.”
“Can we stop focusing on my sex life and instead worry about Lo’s wedding? That’s why we’re here!”
Harlow smiles brightly. “I can’t believe I’m getting ready to get married.”
“To the man you told us you weren’t going to fall in love with, no less,” I tease, playfully pushing her shoulder.
“So happy to be wrong.”
I look on happily, trying to ignore the pang in my chest.
I’m so happy for Harlow, truly, but I’m jealous, too.
I’m jealous of all my friends.
Rory and Cole? Married.
Ella and Josh? Married.
Harlow and Knox? Almost married.
Olive and Lane? Not married, but we know they will be one day.
Then there’s me, hopelessly single and waiting for a man who matches me.
Someone who isn’t turned off by my tenacity and is supportive of how much I love my career.
Unfortunately, I’m starting to think he doesn’t exist.
My dreams of having a family one day are just starting to feel so unattainable.
I’m thirty-one; I shouldn’t feel like this yet.
I guess it’s just hard when I’m surrounded by nothing but love. It makes me want it for myself even more.
And it just fucking sucks that I don’t think it’s coming.