Strangers To Lovers

Chapter Eighteen

I couldn’t understand why the deal had fallen apart. Even though I might’ve been partially responsible, it still didn’t make sense. The weight of the situation pressed on me as I blinked rapidly, trying to focus. Donna, lounging near the dressing room door, flashed me a grin that didn’t reach her eyes.

"You’re just overthinking, Ella," she said, crossing her arms. "It’s not that deep."

I sighed. "I know. I just—" I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I can’t shake this feeling that I’m not good enough."

Donna’s eyebrows shot up. "Not good enough? For who? Luke?"

Her voice held a sharpness that stung. I grimaced. "I mean… yeah. It’s like I can never measure up. His mom practically spelled it out for me."

Donna stepped closer, her gaze softening. "Ella, Luke’s mother doesn’t know you. She doesn’t get to decide your worth. You need to show her what you’re made of. Prove her wrong."

I snorted, shaking my head. "It’s a fake relationship, Donna. Why am I even bothering?"

"Fake or not, you’re in it now," she said with a determined glint in her eye. "And it’s clear you care more about Luke than you let on."

I flinched, glancing down at the clothes I’d tried on. Was Donna right? Was my frustration really just about the deal, or was it about Luke?

"You need to talk to him," Donna insisted, her voice gentle now. "Sort this out before it eats you alive."

With a resigned nod, I quickly threw on my own clothes and hurried out of the dressing room, leaving Donna behind. I needed to find Luke. Now.

But when I stepped outside, Luke was nowhere to be found. Panic surged through me as I scanned the crowded streets, searching for any sign of him. My heart pounded in my chest, and for a moment, I felt like I was suffocating. Had he left?

As I made my way toward the parking lot, I heard the faint sound of voices coming from a nearby alley. Curious, I followed the noise, turning the corner to find Luke standing in the shadows between two buildings, his phone pressed to his ear. His jaw was tight, and I could hear the frustration in his voice.

"Channing, I told you I’d handle it," he snapped, his words sharp and clipped. "I don’t need my mother getting involved."

My breath hitched. Of course it’s about her.

I stepped closer, hoping he hadn’t seen me yet, but Luke’s gaze flickered in my direction. His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t end the call.

"Look, I’ll call you back," he muttered before hanging up.

He turned to face me fully, his arms crossed over his chest. "What are you doing here, Ella?"

I swallowed hard, trying to muster up some courage. "I came to talk to you."

He raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything. His silence was unnerving, making my heart race even faster.

"Luke," I started, my voice shaky, "I’m sorry. About earlier. I shouldn’t have let your mom get to me like that."

He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "It’s not your fault, Ella. My mom… she’s hard to deal with."

"That’s an understatement," I mumbled, biting my lip. "But still, I didn’t handle it well."

"You shouldn’t have to handle it at all," he said, his voice softening. "This fake relationship thing was supposed to be easy. But… now it’s getting complicated."

I looked up at him, my heart aching at the vulnerability in his eyes. "Complicated how?"

Luke hesitated, his gaze flickering away from mine. "You… I didn’t expect you to care this much."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I didn’t know how to respond, so I just stood there, staring at him, trying to process what he’d just said.

"You don’t need to apologize for anything," he continued, his voice quieter now. "If anything, I should apologize. For putting you in this situation."

I shook my head. "No. You don’t get it, Luke. I’m not upset because of the arrangement. I’m upset because… because I do care. More than I should."

His eyes snapped back to mine, surprise flickering across his face. "Ella…"

I took a deep breath, stepping closer to him. "Your mother made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. Like I didn’t deserve to be here. And maybe she’s right. Maybe I’m not. But damn it, Luke, I want to be."

Luke’s expression softened, and he reached out, gently cupping my cheek. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I found myself leaning into his hand, craving the comfort he offered.

"You’re more than good enough," he whispered, his thumb brushing lightly across my skin. "You always have been."

My chest tightened, and for a moment, all I could do was stare at him. The intensity in his gaze was overwhelming, and I felt like I was drowning in it.

"Why do you say that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Because it’s the truth," he murmured, his face inches from mine. "And because I care about you too, Ella. More than I should."

His words hung in the air between us, thick with unspoken emotions. I wanted to say something, anything, but my mind was a mess of conflicting thoughts.

Before I could respond, Luke’s lips crashed against mine, the kiss filled with a heat and desperation that made my knees weak. My hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer as the world around us faded away.

This wasn’t just a kiss. This was everything we hadn’t said. All the unspoken tension, the unsaid feelings, pouring out in one explosive moment.

When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless. Luke’s forehead rested against mine, his eyes still closed.

"This… complicates things," I whispered, my heart still racing.

"Yeah," he chuckled softly, his breath warm against my lips. "But I don’t care."

I smiled weakly, my fingers tracing the edge of his jaw. "What do we do now?"

Luke pulled back slightly, looking down at me with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, for starters, we stop pretending this is just about a contract."

My stomach flipped at his words, and I felt a surge of excitement mixed with fear. "And what if your mom…"

"I don’t care what my mom thinks," he interrupted, his voice firm. "This is between us."

I nodded, my heart swelling with hope. "Okay."

Luke grinned, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "Now, let’s get out of this alley before people start wondering why we’re loitering like this."

I laughed, the sound bubbling up from deep inside me. "Good idea."

As we walked out of the alley together, his hand slipped into mine, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe, just maybe, this could be something real.