Page 27 of Count Down

Now I feel like Lexi is almost trying to mess with me. “Not that.” I shake my head. “But almost everything else.”

Lexi runs from the kitchen into the living room and jumps onto the couch that is still sitting in the middle surrounded by boxes and other furniture not yet put together. She pats the cushion next to her. “You’ve got to tell meallabout it.”

I tilt my head at her but don’t go to the couch. I’m not one to kiss and tell. I want to relive the moment I had with Luca in my old room. But it was between him and me. I don’t want to give Lexi all the details. I’d be upset if I found out Luca went and told his friends about us.

“I’m not giving you details.” I’m serious, but I’m not mad for her wanting to know.

“Is he big? I bet he’s gotta be big. I mean, look at him.” Lexi holds up her arms and flexes.

“Shut up!” I know she’s messing with me now. But I’m not telling her how big he was.

“Ohhh,” Lexi stands and looks at me. “This isn’t just a fling. You care about him.”

“I hope it’s not just a fling.”

“Do you want to date him?” Lexi asks. She has this way of asking about things. You know she wants to know, but you know she’s also fucking with you.

IthinkI do. IknowI do. I think.

“Do you think he’s too old for me?” I ask Lexi just one of the questions on my mind. When I’m with him it doesn’t feel weird. But when I picture other people looking at us and calculating our ages… He’s almost twice the age of anyone else I’ve dated.

“Pfft!” Lexi swats away my question. “If you can be with a man like him, why be with a boy?” Lexi never said anything, but I know she never really liked Archie.

“Yeah,” I nod quietly still thinking about what I want with Luca. Is it moving too fast? I don’t want it to end. I know that much. I guess that’s a place to start. If I don’t know what I want, I can avoid what I don’t want. So, I should be with Luca. For now.

“If you think he’s too old for you, I’ll take him off your hands.” Lexi holds out her hands to offer me her solution.

“Shut up.” I turn and head toward my bedroom. “I’m going to unpack.”

“Make sure you tighten all the screws when you put your bed together!” Lexi calls after me. “I don’t want your bed creaking and keeping me up all night!”

* * *

Lexi’s questions might have been annoying, but I’m relieved that she doesn’t think I’m crazy for seeing Luca. Underneath all her sarcasm, I do think she has pretty good judgement.

I unpack my clothes and toiletries. I claim some space in the shower and bathroom for my stuff. Lexi bought a new shower curtain and rings, so I install those. By the time I get out of the shower, I’m starting to get really hungry. Luca texts me that he’ll be over in 30 minutes.

I have a hard time picking out what to wear. Some of my clothes are still packed in boxes. Some of the ones I’ve already unpacked are still creased or wrinkled from the move. Plus, it’s hot out, but it will cool off once the sun goes down.

I decide on my favorite lightly patterned camisole, black distressed skinny jeans, and black strappy heels. I’ll bring my faux leather jacket for when the sun goes down. I don’t have much time for my hair and makeup. Lexi helps with my hair while I do my makeup. It’s nice having a roommate. I keep my makeup simple and my hair seems to do what Lexi tells it to do.

I’m just looking it over in the mirror when there’s a knock at the door. My heart skips a beat and I glance at Lexi for some kind of reassurance. This feels like a date. Luca and I have already fooled around. He’s already been in both my parents’ house and my new apartment. But this feels like a big step up. I still haven’t entirely figured out what I want or if I’m moving too fast. Am I making too many changes at once?

Lexi doesn’t say anything, but pushes me out the bathroom and toward the door of our apartment.

I open the door. Luca takes my breath away. I almost forgot how huge he is. I don’t feel small when I’m with him, but the effect of him standing there, framed by the doorway reminds me how shocking his presence can be.

He’s wearing a dark blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top unbuttoned enough to see the edge of his pec muscles but somehow not enough to look sleazy. His shirt is tucked into a pair of gray jeans and his black leather shoes are freshly polished. He’s clean shaven. The sharp angles at his cheeks and jaw are even more pronounced and stunning. His dirty blond hair is neatly styled and combed with a little more shine than usual.

I take him all in while I try to catch my breath. The look on his face tells me I’m having a similar effect on him.

I hear Lexi clear her throat from the other side of the kitchen counter. “I won’t wait up.”

Broken out of the spell Luca and I were under, I smile at him. We share a small kiss. I grab my purse and a bottle of wine off the counter and then rush out of the apartment and follow Luca down to the street.

I’ve never seen Luca’s car before. It’s a black mid-size SUV. A Bentley Bentayga. Hybrid.I’m not a stranger to fancy cars, but this one still impresses me. He opens the passenger side of the door and lets me in. I unlock the driver-side door as he walks around his car. I notice that before he gets in, he takes a moment to look up and down the street again, like he did several times when he was helping me move.

Luca gets in and starts the car. “Where are we heading?”