Lukas stood in front of the mirror, nervously adjusting his collar for what felt like the hundredth time. He had invited Stella over for the weekend, and the thought of her being in his shared apartment with Max made his stomach do backflips. He glanced at his reflection, took a deep breath, and tried to convince himself that this was going to be just fine. It’s just Stella, he thought. Just a girl you like. But the fluttering in his chest told a different story.
Stella was stunning—there was no denying it. With her shoulder-length red hair framing her delicate features and her bright green eyes sparkling with excitement, she radiated an effortless charm. Today, she wore a chic, fitted black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, giving her an air of confidence that made Lukas’s heart race.
A soft knock at the door broke him out of his thoughts. He opened it to find Stella standing there, her smile brightening the hallway.
“Hey!” she exclaimed, stepping inside. “I hope I’m not too early.”
“Not at all,” Lukas said, his voice slightly more high-pitched than he intended. “I was just about to make some coffee. Want some?”
“Yes, please!” she replied, slipping off her shoes and making herself comfortable in the small living room.
As he prepared the coffee, Lukas glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She was examining the various trinkets and books scattered around, her fingers brushing over the spines as she hummed softly to herself. He felt a rush of warmth at the sight. Everything about her was magnetic, drawing him in.
“Max should be here soon,” Lukas said, trying to sound casual. “He’s… well, he’s not great at socializing, but he’ll try to be entertaining.”
Stella chuckled, leaning against the back of the couch. “I’m sure he’s fun in his own way.”
“Fun might be an overstatement,” Lukas replied, pouring the coffee into two mugs. “But he does have his moments.”
Just then, Max burst through the door, holding a pizza box aloft as if it were a trophy. “I bring gifts!” he announced dramatically. “Dinner is served!”
Stella laughed, her eyes sparkling as she turned to Max. “You’re a lifesaver!”
Max grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “I know. I’ll make sure you two don’t starve this weekend.” He plopped the box onto the coffee table, and they settled onto the couch, pizza in hand, laughter filling the air.
As the evening wore on, Max’s antics kept the mood light. He shared embarrassing stories about Lukas from their childhood, making sure to poke fun at every opportunity. Lukas felt his nerves easing, especially when he caught Stella’s eye and saw her laughter in full bloom.
After dinner, Max pretended to check his watch. “Well, would you look at that! It’s pub time. I’ll be off,” he declared, his tone overly dramatic. “You two have fun… whatever that means.” He shot Lukas a teasing grin before grabbing his jacket and heading out the door.
Lukas’s heart raced at the sudden quietness in the apartment. “So, it’s just us now,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
Stella smiled, leaning back into the couch. “Just us. What do you want to do?”
Lukas felt a rush of heat creep up his neck. What do I want to do? The question echoed in his mind, and for a moment, he was lost. “Um… we could watch a movie? Or talk? Or…”
“Why not both?” she suggested playfully, tilting her head. “I’m up for whatever.”
They settled on the couch, a romantic comedy playing in the background, but Lukas found it hard to concentrate on the film. With Stella sitting so close, every brush of her arm against his sent sparks shooting through him. He could feel her warmth, her presence enveloping him like a soft blanket.
YOU ARE READING
Late to Love
RomanceLukas and Nina have been friends since school, always sharing a close bond that carried them through the years. Now in their late twenties, they both work at a magazine publishing company. Lukas as an editor and Nina as a creative director. Over t...
