Page 52 of Coastal Runaway

No one was around when I got downstairs. Honestly that was a blessing so I didn’t have to lie about my plans for the night. Earlier Luke told me to say I was going to dinner with Maggie and walk down the driveway to where he would be waiting.

As I got to the bottom of the driveway, I took out my phone and snapped a picture; it was a sight that belonged in a rom com. Luke was leaning against a white Audi A5 convertible with the roof down. He had one leg propped against the car and his hand was running through his hair as he looked off into the distance. He looked nervous.

He was wearing a pair of black pants that cut above his ankles with tan boat shoes, and a cream knitted polo tucked into his pants. He looked up after I tucked my phone back into my purse, and while I couldn’t see his eyes past his black RayBans, the most delicious smile crept onto his face and it made my core heat.

“You look. Wow,” he said as he slipped a hand around my waist.

“You look pretty wow yourself.”

He placed a light kiss on my forehead before opening the passenger door, allowing me to slip inside. He closed the door and rounded the car before taking his place behind the wheel.

“This isn’t your car.” I stated the obvious.

“Actually…” he chuckled and then trailed off.

“Wait, this is your car?” I beamed at him.

“I bought it a few years ago as a young and dumb purchase. I just had it shipped here this week.” He almost looked sheepish, like I would judge his spontaneity as a teenager. As a kid he used to talk about all of the cars that he would buy just to piss off his dad. I was really not shocked that this was his subtle act of rebellion.

Sean Cavan would’ve seen this car as too cheap; not on brand with the luxury of the Cavan name. It was utterly ridiculous.

“I like it.” I slipped my hand into his and squeezed.

He took off down the road quickly and I laughed. I simply couldn’t be bothered to care about the hours I lost on my now ruined hair as I raised both hands above my head into the wind and cheered.

“This right here. This is why I bought this car.” He smiled over at me as I closed my eyes and let the nerves dissolve into the brisk ocean air. This was going to be a good night.

Luke took me to a small, intimate rooftop restaurant tucked away in the heart of LA. You had to give your name at the door and there was a very exclusive reservation list, which eased my nerves that we would run into someone that we knew. When the elevator doors opened, my breath left my lungs.

The space was stunning. It was larger than I expected and there was a priceless view of the Hollywood Hills. The floor was made of large, aged, gray and white checkered tiles. There were vibrant, pink and white flowers flowing over the stone walls of the patio, and twinkling lights hung from every wall, illuminating the tables with a soft glow which created a cozy atmosphere.

A hostess led us to a two person table on the edge of the restaurant. Luke pulled out my chair and placed a small kiss to my lips before taking the seat across from me.

The entire night felt so natural as we sipped wine and talked like old times. Luke rarely let go of my hand throughout dinner, and after we finished eating he ordered us martinis that we sipped while taking in the sunset.

“I can’t get over how gorgeous this view is,” I said, staring out, watching the sun sinking behind the mountains.

“Me either,” he whispered.

I glanced over at him and found him staring at me instead of the skyline. I could feel the blush creeping onto my cheeks as he winked at me.

Once he paid the bill, we stood and walked hand in hand towards the elevator. I wrapped my arms around his neck as his hands came to my ass. I reached on my tiptoes to place a kiss on his lips.

“This was absolutely perfect. Thank you,” I whispered against his mouth.

“I’d do anything for you, Tig.”

I was smiling up at him when someone to our right cleared their throat. I looked over to see a very smug Sinclair staring at us with an arched brow.

“Funny seeing you here,” he said as he brushed past us, “don’t worry, your dirty little secret is safe with me.” He winked at us before walking to a table and taking a seat with his parents, who I met on a few occasions.

Luke and I rode the elevator to the ground floor in silence. This was what I got for letting my guard down, thinking I could have a normal night while keeping what’s happening between us hidden from the world. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach as we drove home that this was all going to blow up in my face.

Luke dropped me off at the end of the driveway so I could walk up to the house while he did a loop and arrived in the drive way about ten minutes later, so we wouldn’t be caught walking in together. I went upstairs and changed into a cute matching set before crawling into bed. A little while later I felt the bed dip and Luke engulfed me in his arms. I exhaled and settled further into him.

He kissed my hair and whispered, “it’s going to be okay. We’re going to be okay.”

I nodded but I knew in my heart that this was more complicated than he was letting on. I thought this time would be different, but my heart was worried that if this secret got out that I could lose both the boy that I loved, and the brother who always supported me.