62. Luca
LUCA
Iknow it’s probably only a matter of weeks, if not days, before my team descends onto this sleepy, deserted town to take care of the job I seem incapable of finishing, but I need to do something before that happens. I need to talk to Ro. And Dante.
As much as I prefer to keep my cards close, I think we are past having secrets with her safety in the balance.
She hasn’t texted me about her schedule since I saw her yesterday, but I’m sure she has been busy.
The house looked breathtaking. Her talent is unmatched and was honestly being wasted at Franklin & Sons.
I wish we could’ve worked together sooner, but I knew I couldn’t reach out before.
But now…now I’m not going to waste any time when I can have her in my life again.
As if my thoughts of Ro have summoned her, the exact woman I need to speak with walks straight through the door of the diner, bell jingling above announcing her presence.
But instead of turning right and walking toward her favorite booth, the booth I am currently occupying, she walks right up to the counter to speak with Shirley, who is standing behind it wiping down the space an older gentleman just vacated.
I didn’t want to have this conversation here, but maybe we can at least discuss getting together later to chat.
Perhaps I can make her dinner at the place I’m staying at?
It would be nice to spend some time alone with her outside of Dante’s house.
Before I can move from the booth to speak with her, though, Ro turns around and leans on the counter, with no intention of sitting or staying.
She hasn’t seen me yet, and it’s nice to observe her like this.
Seeing her true emotions before she feels the need to put on whatever mask she thinks she needs to wear for the person or situation.
And the pure emotion I see on her face is one I haven’t seen in a very long time…
happiness. Pure, unadulterated joy radiates off her.
I honestly haven’t seen her this happy since graduation night…before I broke her heart. We were almost free, and I ruined it. I can’t ruin this again for her. Whatever has caused this change, I need to make sure I am not the one to take it away. If I’m lucky, maybe she will even let me add to it.
As she turns back to the counter to grab the to-go cup from Shirley, I take the opportunity to slide out of the booth and head toward the restrooms. I don’t want her to see me right now.
I need to figure out my next steps first and talk to my team before I inevitably blow up her entire world.
That is the last thing I want to do to her… again.