I open my mouth, ready to change the subject, but Luca cuts me off.
“I have some things I need to take care of.”He abruptly stops on the sidewalk, catching me off guard.
I’m sure the look of disappointment etched on my face is strikingly clear under the pale glow from the picturesque lamppost he chose to stop beneath.
“Do you remember the way to my apartment from here?”he asks casually.
My stomach contracts.Why does he want to leave me?Is it because of what I just asked him?
I nod, pulling my coat tighter around me as gray, angry clouds and wind roll in, as if mirroring my feelings.
He reaches his hand into his pocket and passes me a key.“The code for the main entrance is 0830, and this key will get you into my apartment.I’m not sure how long I’ll be, so don’t wait up.Just leave the apartment door unlocked for me, alright?”
I nod once more, stunned in place.
“I’ll get you your own key tomorrow.That way, you can come and go as you please.And if you need to leave for dinner?—”
“Oh, there’s no way I can eat another bite tonight,” I interrupt, managing a small laugh to mask my discomfort.“I think I’ll probably spend the evening job hunting and then turn in early.The jetlag is catching up with me.”
Lies.All Lies.
Luca frowns slightly.“But you’re on vacation, Jemma.I wish you’d enjoy yourself more while you’re here.”
I huff.“I’d enjoy myself more if you weren’t abandoning me on the street corner.”
“It-it’s not like that,” Luca stammers.
I pivot, twisting on my heels, unable to hold back my emotions any longer.“It’s fine.You don’t owe me anything,” I say under my breath as I dash away into the darkness, tears pooling in my eyes.
ChapterTwenty
JEMMA
A clanking sound jolts me awake.Startled, my mind falters for a moment, forgetting where I am.The pieces slowly form in my sleep-addled brain.
Paris.Luca’s apartment.
A flash of a memory from last night walking away from Luca clocks me.When did he come home?
I stumble out of bed, my eyes adjusting to the golden light streaming through the window.I crack the guest room door open; the intrusive sounds continue.
What on earth is going on out there?
“Luca!It’s like seven a.m.!What’s with all the racket?”I grumble, still unsure of what to make of him leaving me last night.
No response.
As I navigate my way down the narrow hallway, the chevron floorboards creak beneath my cold, bare feet.
“Luca?”I continue through the living room area.
Still no response, but I hear another clatter, more like a clank of something hitting the ground.I turn the corner into the galley kitchen, where I find Luca bent over, his back to me, fingers hastily gathering something from the floor.He doesn’t know I’m here.
I clear my throat.
He quickly stands and whips around to face me with a baking sheet in his grip.His eyebrows practically leap off his forehead when he catches me staring at him.
“Um ...Jemma,” he stammers.“I—I didn’t think you’d be awake yet.”
