I run my fingers through his hair just because I can.
Just because I want to.
He looks so effortlessly himself.
“Can you believe it’s already been two months since the water park?” I ask quietly.
“That’s insane,” he says. “Feels like yesterday… and also forever ago.”
“Yeah,” I whisper. “Forever sounds right.”
We sit there under the blanket, eating cereal and sharing coffee, watching the world wake up through the window.
I feel at home.
I feel the home swirl around me. Each quality,y like a watercolor line circling the couch Luca and I are sitting on.
Yellow joy.
Green peace.
Pink love.
Orange safety.
All the colors are bright, and any gray that could be swirling in the waves is gone.
“I forgot to ask you,” Luca says casually, “but there’s this event in Paris coming up, and I thought maybe I could take you with me. Our first trip together.”
For a second, I freeze.
“Wait. Paris?” I whisper, trying not to squeal, because the clock on the oven said6:07a.m. and everyone is still dead asleep.
He grins at me, eyes sparkling in a sleepy, golden way. “Yeah. The flight’s in three days.”
Three. Days.
“Oh my God, yes.Yes!I’ve always wanted to go to Paris.”
I’m already picturing it — the Eiffel Tower at night, tiny cafés, rain on cobblestones. “But promise me something,” I add, eyes wide. “We have to go to Disneyland. Please. We didn’t get to go to America, and it would be so perfect.”
He laughs, the sound warm and deep. “You and your Disney obsession.”
“Don’t judge me.” I jab his side gently. “You’ll thank me when you’re eating a Mickey-shaped waffle in front of the castle.”
He leans his head back, smiling like I’m the funniest person alive. “Fine. Disneyland it is. I’ll even wear the ears if it makes you happy.”
“Promise?” I grin, trying not to giggle.
He holds out his pinky. “Promise.”
I hook mine with his, heart fluttering stupidly. “How long are we staying?”
“Nine days,” he says. “Plenty of time to get tired of me.”
I look up at him. “Impossible.”
“The event’s only a few days, but I thought we could stay longer.” He shrugs, soft smile tugging at his lips.
