Scars // LH

Chapter22- Fancy A Late Night Swim?

I now have glasses! And I'm wearing them as I write! They're not too bad actually...

Fancy A Late Night Swim?

 I glanced over at the lake. It was huge, much bigger than I expected it to be, much bigger than in those movies. There was no one out, just the still water, glimmering in the moonlight. It was so cliche...it was perfect.

"You wanna go for a ride?" Luke asked, nudging my arm with his. I glanced up at his little face shining in the moonlight. "So, like we ride on a boat?" I asked flatly not quite sure what he meant.

Luke rolled his eyes, taking my hand and leading me down the the bank. "Well we ain't gonna swim down there..." He paused, turning to look at me and wink. "Or...do you fancy a late night swim?"

I slapped his shoulder and stalked away, closer to the lake's edge. "No, thank you! I've done my hair and makeup all fancy tonight, not for it to be..." I was cut off when Luke stepped right in front of me, placing his finger on my lips. He lowered himself down so that our foreheads touched and his breath tickled my face.

"I was kidding." He muttered in a low voice, and I literally groaned mentally. I absolutely loved that voice like I loved chocolate. Which was a lot.

Luke dragged his finger down my lips slowly, backing away as he did. He grinned, still walking backwards. "C'mon then, drama queen." I rolled my eyes, following him.

Luke managed to pull up a small wooden boat, big enough to fit the two of us inside. He untied it and steadied it, before stepping aside and gesturing to it. "Ladies first."

I hesitated, before slipping my heels off of my feet and clambering into the boat. I steadied myself and sat down on the wooden seat, my purse and heels beside me. I was proud that I'd managed to get into the boat gracefully, without making a fool out of myself.  "Your turn, Hemmings. In you get."

Luke placed one foot in the boat carefully. He looked down at his feet, bit his lipring, and lifted his eyes to look at me. "If I fall in, will you help me out?"

I shook my head, trying not to laugh. "Nope." I answered, popping the p. "Now hurry up and get in! Before I float off without you!"

Luke sighed, before flinging his other leg into the boat. He stumbled, flailing his arms around, desperately trying to keep his balance. When he finally sat down opposite me, he grinned, straightening his jacket. "Nothing to it."

I nodded, trying hard not to laugh. "Sure, whatever you say."

Luke finally managed to get us going. He had to row, because I refused to. We floated out slowly, enjoying the last little bit of the evening in Venice. I closed my eyes and leaned back, dragging my fingertips along in the cold water, taking into a count tonight's events. Luke Hemmings had taken me on a date. And I'd survived it. Without embarrassing myself. But there was just one thing missing...

"What are you thinking about?" Luke's voice entered my thoughts. I opened my eyes to see that we'd stopped, almost out on the edge of the city, away from all the buzz. Luke shrugged out of his jacket and handed it to me. I wrapped it around my shoulders. It was so warm.

"Just that this has been the best birthday ever." I looked up at him, smiling gratefully. "Thank you."

"For the date, or the jacket?" Luke asked teasingly, straightening the cuffs of his shirt sleeves.

I flicked the water from my fingertips at him. "For the date, you idiot! Although..." I paused and snuggled further into the jacket. "This is cosy, and it smells like..." I breathed in its scent. "Hugo Boss! I never knew you liked Boss?"