a work in progress

Chapter 21 - Cards on the Table

"What do you mean you're confused?" Harper asks agog and annoyed.

"Yeah MC, I'm confused too. None of this makes sense," Hayley adds.

"Well then you both understand perfectly."

"Don't try to be cute. This is abso-fuckin-lutely ridiculous. I know you like J-Lo and all but I didn't think you would attempt to challenge her record for dumbest romantic decision ever."

"I think what Harper means," Hayley tries, "is can you just walk us through what happened so we can understand why you're even considering this."

"I thought I had."

"You thought you'd done what?" Harper probes angrily.

"Explained in enough detail."

"Not particularly," Hayley eeks.

"Oh for the love of all things sweet. So it's like this: Harper and I are at the Appeteaser and rotations have started. I see boring Joshua and Paul or Peter or whatever his name was, and then him."

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"Luca what are you doing here?"

"I was leaving Hooters and I couldn't exactly remember where I'd parked my car. I moved past the valet booth and then I see this woman. I think to myself, 'My God who is that woman?' I didn't have much else to do so I slipped inside," he says, accent still thick, sending a shiver up my spine.

I listen to him intently all the while scanning his face for any remote signs that he's joking. As I replay parts of his story to myself I can't help but get swept away in the familiarity of his accent and the memories that are immediately triggered when he licks his lips, musses his hair or even pauses briefly in a smile.

"It wasn't until Peter was doing his recitation that I realized my goddess was you," he continued, his eyes fixed on mine, locking me in place.

"You were there, well here, obviously being bored to death by ye olde English and likewise I was less than engaged in my conversation with Ella the taxidermist. At the sound of the gong I followed instructions and I'm here."

"I can't, I just, I can't believe that you would go through all of this. Why?" I inquire.

"You took my breath away out there. I couldn't pass up an opportunity."

Opportunity? I think, intrigued by his word choice. "Why were you at Hooters? I thought you were otherwise involved."

"Happy Hour," he retorts succinctly.

"Well, what now?"

"We're speed dating."

"You know what I mean. We obviously already know each other. I don't know where to go from here."

"That's one of the things I've always loved about you."

Loved?

"You have this uncanny ability to work yourself into the most adorable tizzy. Calmare," he finishes reaching for my hands and clasping them atop the table inside his.

Gooooonnnnnnng.

"I know it's against the rules, but meet me tomorrow outside the bookstore. You know the one," he says briskly slightly standing, my next speed date tight on his heels.

"What?" I ask unexpectedly breathy

"Don't think just say you will."

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