I shrug. I’ve never been ticklish. If I had to guess, it’s related to sensory processing. I also have an oddly high tolerance for pain, and external temperatures don’t affect me the way they do most people.
When I don’t squirm or pull away, he rests my foot in his lap and kneads into my sole. The pressure is divine, making my mouth go slack as a groan threatens to work its way out of me.
“I purchased my condo five years ago. During Luca’s rookie season.”
He pauses his movements, intent on my face like he’s trying to gauge my reaction to the mention of my ex.
I breathe through the slight pinch of discomfort. If we’re doing this—and my god, do I desperately, wholly want to do this—we’ll have to get used to talking about him.
“It made sense, working for Granata, with no intention of leaving the industry. And with so many drivers residing in the area, Luca was eager to live here, too.”
“Luca lived here? With you?”
“He did.” He dips his chin. “For three years. It wasn’t until Granata was considering me for the role of team principal that he moved out.” He scowls, his gaze unfocused as he mindlessly massages my foot.
“Do you think you’ll be close with him again someday?”
It’s a question that’s been nagging at me for weeks. Luca is an asshole, and Alaric is fully aware of his transgressions, but at the end of the day, they’re family. If and when Luca wants to reconcile… where would that leave me?
Alaric releases a heavy sigh. “His mother thinks this is a phase and that he’ll come around eventually. But I’m not so sure. And the more I learn about his behavior and indiscretions…” He trails off, shaking his head.
Unease seeps into me, so I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “Are you still close with Luca’s mom?”
The moment the words are out, that unease morphs into dread.Nice, Evan. Bringing up his ex-wife is sure to spark a pleasant conversation.
“We are close.” He breaks into a gentle smile. “Sophie’s my oldest, dearest friend. She’s intelligent, sharp, and hilarious, and she’s an amazing mother.”
My stomach twists. By how highly he speaks of her, maybe Luca’s not the only person that I need to worry about skulking back into his life.
“We were awful together as a couple, though,” he continues. “Nothing nefarious ever happened. No infidelity. We tried to make it work, but we simply grew up and simultaneously grew apart.”
I blow out a long exhale, the weight on my chest easing up.
“She’s remarried now. With two more kids and another on the way. I haven’t dated since our split more than ten years ago.” He studies my face like he’s gauging my reaction. “You’re the first person I’ve committed myself to in more than a decade.”
My belly warms in response to the confession. I’d have no reason to judge him for his dating history, but that truth bolsters me, wrapping me in a cocoon of comfort and making me feel extra wanted.
He taps my foot lightly. “Switch.”
Obediently, I toe off my sandal and lift my other foot into his lap.
“What about you?” he asks. “Were there partners before Luca I should be aware of?”
“No one significant.” I trace the pattern sewn into the white linen tablecloth with the tip of my nail. “I’ve dated in the past, but I’ve never been with someone who treated me like I was a priority.” I peek up, cringing. Maybe I’ve said too much. “It’s not that I expect to be the top priority all the time. The opposite, really. I didn’t realize it was possible until…”
I catch my bottom lip between my teeth to stop myself from finishing that sentence.
Until him. Until now.
The truth hangs heavy between us as crickets chirp.
He tightens his grip on my foot, silently urging me to look at him.
“In case I haven’t been crystal clear, you are of the utmost importance to me, angel.”
I swallow thickly, reaching for my wine to distract myself from the intensity of his gaze.
That doesn’t deter him. “Prioritizing you is a privilege,” he rumbles, his voice low and deadly serious.
