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“I love you more.”
He kisses me again and leans his forehead against mine. I’m surprised when he asks to see my sister.
“Of course. If you’re sure.”
We spend almost an hour with Becca. Luca wants to play charades. For a long time, he mimes different animals, I make guesses, and Becca giggles. Finally I realize I should probably swap roles with him, so I jump in. Toward the end, even Bec’s nurse takes a turn. When Luca leaves, he runs his hand over my little sister’s hair again and gives her a big smile.
“See ya later, stellina.”
“What does that mean?” I ask as we step out into the hallway.
He winks. “Look it up.”
We go to my bedroom’s balcony, where Luca sits in one of the wicker rocking chairs and beckons me into his lap. He wraps his unhurt arm around me and rests his head against the top of my hair.
“I love you,” I whisper.
“Love you more.”
He’s so warm and solid.
“I love when you hug me.”
He kisses my hair. A minute later, I feel his muscles twitch and realize he’s nodding off. My stomach clenches thinking of the night he had.
I tell myself that starting with our graduation tonight, things are going to get better for him. I wish I knew what happened with his dad, but I know I can’t pry. Still, I can’t imagine how I’m going to feel if he—
“I need to go home.”
I blink at him. Up just a few minutes after falling asleep. “You do?”
He nods, all blue eyes.
“Can I come with you?”
He laughs, looking beautiful and tired and like the whole world in one person. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I offer Mercer’s services and he accepts, promising he’ll go into his house quickly to get his robe and cap, and then Mercer will bring him to the stadium. I don’t ask about his family attending, but I’m surprised he doesn’t mention them. My heart aches thinking about it as I get ready myself.
Everything seems okay when I see him grinning at the football field, looking upbeat and relaxed as he chats with Arnie Gallway beside him. I see Arnie point toward the podium and watch with amusement at Luca’s wide eyes as he processes the news that as salutatorian, he’ll be sitting near the front.
He messed up his own grade in physics this semester so he wouldn’t be the one to give a speech, but only I know that. In a weird way, it makes me love him more—how unassuming he can be, how modest. There’s a part of me that wants him to just be mine, like a secret that I want to keep forever. But I’m happy he’ll be everyone’s one day. He’s going to Columbia, and he’s going to study economic policy and political science, and I know he’s going to do amazing things.
I know it’s probably crazy to think about marriage, but if we did get married, helping people would be our household’s focus. I’m going to be a lawyer—yes, like Dad—but I think I might be more interested in advocacy and policy.
When Luca gets his diploma and I hear my dad’s low hoot, I can barely hold back my tears.
After graduation, we have dinner at my house with Ree, Dani, and their dates. Then the six of us head to a party on Lorenzo’s family yacht. It’s supposed to be the party to end all parties. I’ve heard there are staterooms filled with liquor, but Luca and I don’t drink. We find a nook on the deck and stay with each other all night.
When we can’t keep our hands off one another, we find a stateroom. After, Luca falls asleep, I lie there beside him, kissing his cheek and breathing our shared air, and loving how hard his body is against mine. I love everything about him, and I don’t care what people say about first love. Luca Galante is my forever. I can feel it in my bones.* * *LucaI wake up in darkness, confused until I feel her beside me. Her hand strokes my forehead, fingers careful for my little bandage, and it feels so good that my eyes slip back shut.
“Are we sleeping through the greatest party of all time?” I ask, smiling.
Her lips brush mine. “Yes. And one of us is only wearing underwear.”
I laugh—or almost laugh before I realize that will hurt my shoulder.
“Left me naked,” I murmur.
“Half naked. So I could enjoy you.”
“Enjoy me?” I peek one eye open.
“Yes,” she whispers.
We go for round two, and she blows my mind and makes me see stars—in a good way and also in a bad way.
“Did that hurt? I’m so sorry.”
I laugh. “Worth it. I’d do anything to feel that hot mouth of yours.” I fumble with my boxers, and she pulls them back up.
