Mr. Badass ✔

08 Kiss

Gemma's POV.

After the movie, we go home for dinner. This time, it's finally not takeout—Luke's hourly worker cooks the meal.

Since it's the weekend, the wages are doubled.

I want to suggest that if he's going to hire someone, he might as well give the money to me and let me cook.

But then I remember the charred clams I've made before and decide to swallow my words.

Dinner is salmon.

As I'm dipping it into the sauce, my phone suddenly rings. I glance at the screen, and the number starts with California's area code, 916. The more I look, the more familiar it becomes.

"Gemma, do memorize my number. What if you're in danger? I'll be always by your side." The owner of this number once told me that.

So I really did memorize it. But as it turned out, All the dangers were caused by him.

My thoughts are interrupted by Luke, who is sitting across from me. "Don't you answer?"

I shake my head, press the hang-up button, and then drag the number to the block list. "Just a spam call."

After dinner, I sit on the couch playing with my phone, but I'm not really focused.

Luke's profile, as he reads seriously beside me, is just too attractive. I almost start drooling, thinking that such a good-looking man is going to be mine alone from now on.

Naturally, I get curious about his past, so I call his name directly, "Luke."

"Hmm?" Luke raises his eyebrows slightly, but his eyes stay on the book.

"How many exes have you had?"

"One," he answers quickly.

"Why did you break up?" I continue to ask.

Luke's gaze moves from the book to my face. "Why are you only asking me? What about you? How many exes have you had?"

I swallow hard. "Just one, I guess."

To prevent him from asking, "Why did you break up?" I quickly change the subject. "Hey, we've just confirmed our relationship, but it feels like something's missing between us."

"Really?" Luke's eyes return to the book.

"Are you happy that I'm your girlfriend?" I ask.

"Uh huh." Luke's eyes remain on the book.

I pounce on him, snatching the book from his hands, and hold his face, demanding, "Tell me the truth, why did you agree to be with me?"

"What do you mean?" Luke finally looks at me seriously.

"What exactly do you like about me?" I stare into his eyes. "My stunning beauty, right?"

He doesn't say anything.

"Why don't you speak?" I shake him.

Luke's eyes shift. After a few seconds of silence, he says, "Sometimes your confidence leaves me speechless."

I'm furious and keep shaking him. "Are you saying I'm not good-looking???"

I've been praised by everyone since I was a child!

"Alright, alright, you are indeed very beautiful."

I lift my chin slightly. "What's the most beautiful part of me?"

Luke is silent for a moment. "Your eyes. Your eyes are beautiful."

His answer surprises me a bit. Is it because he knows I've had retinal surgery and feels some sympathy for me?