Becoming Kennedy

18- Santa Monica

Luke is giving me directions, but he won't tell me where we're going. It's frustrating and romantic all at the same time! After about an hour of driving, because LA traffic is always bad, we pull up to a parking lot and Luke pays the valet, then sprints to beat the attendant to my door, and opens it for me. I guess he wasn't joking about wanting to be a gentleman for a change.

He takes my hand and leads me down the street. In the distance, I can see a pier with roller coasters and ferris wheels. We turn right onto a street called Ocean Avenue, and I realize where we are.

"Luke are we in Santa Monica?" He just looks at me and nods, but doesn't say anything. "This is just like the Yellowcard song!" He laughs and starts to sing under his breath. It's so quiet I can barely hear him, but I know the song. "There's a place off Ocean Avenue where I used to sit and talk with you, we were both 16 and it felt so right, sleeping all day staying up all night."

Luke's voice was beautiful, even when it was quiet. He starts to bob his head as he hums the chorus, it's really dorky but really adorable. I quickly peck his cheek while he's humming, catching him off guard. "What was that for?" He's grinning like an idiot.

"It's for being cute. I don't know where this Luke came from, but I really like him." Luke blushes and looks down. "He's always been here, I just don't let everyone see him. I know I can trust you, you make me feel comfortable, there's no point in putting on an act around you."

Hearing him say that made my heart race. Maybe Michael was right, maybe Luke did really care about me.

We walk in silence with our fingers interlocked until we come up to a grey concrete building with a wooden door. It doesn't look too inviting. We get to the door, and I see the word 'Capo' sculpted in calligraphy just left of the entrance. We step inside and I lose my breath.

The interior of the restaurant is warm and bright. There are cast iron chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, the floor is adorned with a mahogany bar and a few white table clothed tables with weaved wicker chairs underneath them. There are framed paintings and photographs placed sporadically on the walls, and there are murals of climbing ivy everywhere. Even though I've never been here, it feels like home.

We approach the hostess podium and wait for someone to seat us. "This is amazing, Luke. I would've been fine with a greasy fast food joint!" We both laugh at this, but I mean, it's true. "I know, but I want this to be special. I feel like I have a lot to make up for." This boy is always surprising me.

A hostess finally approaches us, "Hello, and welcome to Capo. Do you have a reservation? If not I'm afraid we're booked for the next few weeks." Oh well, looks like we're going to a burger joint. I turn to leave when I hear Luke giver her his name, "Yes we have a reservation for Hemmings, two at seven o'clock."

I gape at Luke while the girl looks for our reservation. He just looks at me, smirks, and shrugs. "Yes, here you are. Follow me Mr. and Mrs. Hemmings, we have you at a table right by the window." I blush when she calls me Mrs. Hemmings, but Luke doesn't seem to notice or care. Aside from embarrassment, I am stunned. Didn't she say this place was sold out for weeks? We didn't know we were going to dinner until a few hours ago.

I lean to whisper in Luke's ear, "How the hell did you swing this?" He puts his arm around my waist and laughs, "I know a guy who knows a guy....there are perks to being famous." We reach our table by the window, I look out and in the distance I can see the pier and the ocean. This had to be the best table in the place. Luke comes around and pulls my chair out for me. He takes his place across from me, and then looks up and smiles.

He's so cute, I don't deserve him.

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