Page 162 of Lucky Mother Pucker

“So. Is living with my brother driving you crazy yet?” Zoey teases.

I shake my head and smile. “He’s a great roommate. And friend.”

“Leo likes you, Lucy. He really, really likes you.”

That hopeful feeling from earlier springs up in my chest once more. I try and fail to hold back my smile. I bet I look so giddy and goofy.

“I like him too,” I say.

“As friends, or…” she trails off, that knowing look lingering in her gaze.

I work up the nerve to tell her that yes, we’re just friends who live together and get along really well.

But I know it wouldn’t be convincing. And even though I don’t know Zoey that well, she’s good at reading my reactions.

So I drop the pretense and decide to be honest.

“More than a friend,” I say.

A nervous feeling flits through me. Will she be upset? She’s his big sister, so she’s probably protective of him. And Leo and I have only known each other for a couple of months. She might think I’m playing him or taking advantage of him.

But then I notice the look in her eyes. Soft and warm. She’s not mad. She looks kind of happy, actually.

“That’s what I thought,” she says. “I’m glad to hear that.”

I let out a quiet breath, relieved at her response.

“We’re just trying to take things slow,” I say, not wanting to say outright that I’m hooking up with her brother. That would probably be a really weird and awkward thing to say.

“Leo isn’t one to talk about his feelings or his dating life. Definitely not with his big sister,” Zoey says. “But he told me about how much he likes you. And how different this feels with you than with anyone else.”

That hopeful feeling sprouts wings and flutters through my chest.

“He said that?”

She nods. “You’re special to my brother, Lucy. I hope you know that. And I hope he makes you feel that way.” She gives my arm a gentle squeeze.

Before I can say anything, one of her aunts comes up to her and asks for her help finding some family photo album. They walk off together.

I stand there, my head spinning at the thought of Leo admitting to his sister that I’m special. That I’m different.

Maybe it’s not just me who’s catching feelings. Maybe Leo is too.

I glance around for him, catching eyes with him as he crosses the room over to me.

He smiles and winks at me. My tummy flips, and my heartbeat kicks up.

I need to ask him how he feels about me. I need to know if what he told his sister is true.

Because if it is, maybe this thing between us could be something more…

The second he walks up to me, I open my mouth to speak, but before I can utter a word, there’s a sharp whistle sound.

The room falls quiet, and everyone turns to the kitchen, where Leo’s mom is standing.

“Everyone. Thank you so much for coming over. Please find a seat at one of the tables.” She smiles. “Lunch is served.”

The servers and caterers set out massive trays of delicious-looking food on both tables.