Loverboy (PERCABETH AU)

Chapter 15

Annabeth POV

Saturday – 6:17 PM

I was still deciding between two sweaters when my phone buzzed on the bed.

Luke: Ready?

I frowned. We weren't meeting until seven.

Annabeth: You're early.

It only took a few seconds for the three little dots to appear.

Luke: Can't help it. Was looking forward to tonight.

I bit the inside of my cheek, glancing at the sweater in my hands before tossing it aside and pulling on the other one.

Annabeth: You could've texted five minutes before instead of making me rush.

Luke: You'll look perfect either way.

I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my mouth despite myself.

Annabeth: Give me ten minutes.

Luke: I'll be outside.

I slipped my phone into my pocket, not sure why that last message made my stomach tighten. Maybe it was the way he said it — like he was already waiting, whether I was ready or not.

By the time I slipped on my shoes and shrugged into my jacket, Luke's car was already idling by the curb. The low hum of the engine drifted through the open window, along with the faint beat of whatever song he was playing.

I checked my reflection in the hallway mirror one last time — sweater neat, hair behaving, expression somewhere between "I'm ready for dinner" and "I'm not overthinking this." I grabbed my bag, locked up, and walked out into the cool evening air.

Luke leaned against the driver's side door when he saw me, pushing himself upright with that easy grin. "Right on time," he said.

"Technically, I'm five minutes early. Don't get used to it."

He chuckled and opened the passenger door for me. "Noted."

The moment I slid into the seat, I caught a whiff of cologne — subtle but warm, like cedar and something crisp underneath. He closed my door, walked around, and got in, resting one hand on the wheel as we pulled away from the curb.

"You look nice," he said casually, like it wasn't the first thing he noticed.

"Thanks. You clean up okay too."

He smirked, and we fell into easy conversation about school, mutual friends, and the nightmare that was the last calc test.

The restaurant was on the edge of the pier, tucked between a little ice cream shop and a store that sold seashell necklaces and overpriced hoodies. Inside, the lighting was low and warm, with big windows that looked out over the darkening ocean.

We got a booth by the window, and the faint sound of waves carried through the glass. A couple of candles flickered on the table between us.

"So," Luke said after we'd ordered, leaning back against the leather seat. "What made you say yes to dinner with me?"

I raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think there's a deep reason?"

"There's always a reason," he said, his grin tugging up on one side. "Could be curiosity. Could be boredom. Could be you're starting to realize I'm not the villain everyone makes me out to be."

I rolled my eyes, but the last part stuck in my head longer than I wanted it to. "Maybe I just like food."

He laughed, and for a while, it was easy — swapping stories, laughing at some ridiculous thing Leo had done in chem lab last year, talking about summer trips and favorite movies.