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“Your sister seems to be having a good time this week.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I haven’t been on a picnic since I was a kid.”
“Uh-huh.”
She doubted he’d heard a word she’d said. “I was thinking of cutting all my hair off.”
“That’s good.”
She wondered what he’d say to this. “I’m thinking of dyeing it purple.”
“Wait.” Luca stopped walking and looked at her. “Did you say you’re dyeing your hair purple?”
She smiled and nodded. “Wondered if you’d notice.”
It was then that she realized she was smiling. That was something she hadn’t done in what felt like forever. Her life had taken so many twists and turns in the past couple of months that she’d forgotten what it was like to unwind and enjoy the sunshine on her face and breathe in the sea air.
“I’d certainly notice something like that.” Then concern filled Luca’s eyes. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
She wasn’t quite ready to quit teasing him. “I don’t know. It’d certainly be different.”
“Trust me, you don’t have to go to those lengths to be unique.”
She wasn’t sure she liked that comment. “What exactly does that mean?”
He held up his hands as though to fend her off. “No offense meant. I was just referring to the way you left Mirraccino and made a name for yourself. Not many people achieve such notable accomplishments.”
“You act like that’s such a big deal. It’s not like I’m an earl.”
“I was born into that title. It had nothing to do with me. You, on the other hand, worked hard and earned a prestigious place as the face of the famous Lauren Renard line.”
His words meant a lot to her—more than she’d expected. “Thank you.”
Luca reached out, grabbing her hand. When she stopped walking and turned to him, he said, “Listen, I know I really messed things up in Paris, and I’m sorry. I don’t want to lose our friendship.”
With all her heart, she wanted to believe him—believe that their friendship was strong enough to overcome any obstacle. But that night had changed everything. And how would he feel toward her once he learned she was carrying his child?
She pulled her hand away. “Things are different now. We’re not kids anymore.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying you never want to see me again?”
“It means...” In that moment, she got choked up. She glanced away, not wanting Luca to see the unshed tears in her eyes. Darn pregnancy hormones. “I can’t do this. Not here. Not now.”
He placed a hand beneath her chin and lifted until their gazes met. In his eyes, she saw strength, but more than that, she saw tenderness and warmth. She latched on to that and found that between his touch and his gaze, her rising emotions had calmed.
Being this close to him had her remembering their brief Paris affair. Her gaze dipped to Luca’s mouth—to his very tempting lips. What would he do if she leaned forward and pressed her mouth to his?
As if in answer, he turned away and started walking.
She stifled a sigh. If only things were different.
She rushed to catch up to him. The truth was in this particular moment, she didn’t trust him. He’d said and done things with her in Paris that he now wanted to conveniently sweep under the rug. Was that how he’d feel about this supposed friendship once he found out they were to be linked for life?
She didn’t know what to believe. She’d thought she’d known Steven, and she’d been horribly wrong about him. Now she didn’t trust herself to make good decisions where men were concerned.
If he’d known she had been considering kissing him back there, he didn’t let on. And that was fine by her. She’d had a moment of weakness. It wouldn’t happen again.
