Strangers To Lovers

chapter Twenty- Three

Luke promised to spend the entire day with just the two of us. I wondered if that would change anything between us. Part of me hoped it would, but another part worried that maybe last night had been a mistake. My thoughts swirled until Luke’s voice interrupted them.

“Ella, make sure you’ve got your phone,” he said, cutting through my internal debate as if sensing my spiraling emotions. He was calm, matter-of-fact, not betraying any sign of the tension that had been bubbling beneath the surface between us.

I forced a small smile and replied, “Yes. I’ll let you know my availability once you let me know yours.”

He didn’t blink, his expression neutral. “Dylan has a five o’clock appointment with Miss Kingston, so we’ll need to be back by then.”

I turned to Donna, who was sitting nearby, looking at us with raised eyebrows. “I guess you’ll either stay here or come with us.”

Donna shot me a confused look. “What reservations?” Her question was innocent enough, but her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she glanced between Luke and me.

“I’m looking for a decent restaurant,” Luke responded coolly, brushing off her question like it was no big deal.

I stifled a giggle as Donna gave a mock-serious nod. “Oh, I see. Dinner reservations. Just you two?”

Before Luke could answer, Dylan chimed in, giving Donna a wink. “I’m not opposed to a quiet dinner with you, Donna,” he said with a grin.

Donna blushed slightly but played it off, pretending to scratch her chin in mock thought. “Well, I do prefer to dine with company.” She turned her attention to me, eyebrows raised. “But what about you, Ella? You gonna survive a dinner alone with Mr. Hot Stuff?”

I laughed, more nervous than I wanted to admit. “I’ll manage.” My stomach churned with the thought of being alone with Luke for an entire evening. Dinner, just the two of us—it felt too much like a date. Was it a date? Or was Luke just being… Luke? I hadn’t asked, and part of me didn’t want to know the answer.

“Dinner with Luke, huh?” Donna teased, leaning in close as Dylan left the room. “Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

I bit my lip, glancing around the suite. “I don’t know. I mean, we’ve spent time together before, but this feels different.”

She smirked. “Different as in romantic?”

I groaned. “I don’t know! Maybe? I’m not sure what he wants.”

“You don’t have to know,” she said, squeezing my arm. “Just go with the flow.”

I watched her grab a slice of bread and stuff it into her mouth, her playful energy easing the tension in my shoulders. “You date someone for his money,” I teased.

Donna gave an exaggerated gasp, clutching her chest. “I’d marry for food!”

We both laughed, the tension breaking for a moment. Donna was right—I needed to relax, stop overthinking everything. I was here, in Hawaii, with Luke. I should just enjoy the moment.

“So,” Donna said between bites, “what’s the plan for today?”

“I figured we’d hit the spa, maybe check out the shops, and then try paddleboarding.”

“Ooh, paddleboarding. That should be fun,” she said, nodding enthusiastically. “And later, you can dazzle Luke with your mad balancing skills.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help smiling. Spending time with Donna always made me feel lighter, like everything didn’t have to be so complicated. Maybe I could just enjoy the day, stop worrying about what might or might not happen with Luke.