Chapter 17

 

 

 

Afton

 

 

Luke’s apartment looks exactly as it did a few days ago. The only difference is that there is a laptop on the coffee table and the whiskey bottle is nowhere in sight.

I debated whether or not to come here when I left my parents’ home, but I didn’t want to be alone. I’ll talk to my brother and Joel tomorrow. Tonight, I need an escape.

I blew up my life in a way I haven’t before. My parents have been disappointed in me in the past, but they’ve never cut me out of their lives.

“Do you want to sit?” Luke gestures to the couch as he slams the cover of the laptop shut. “Let me guess…you’d like a glass of water?”

Nodding, I smooth my hands over the skirt of my dress. “Water would be great.”

“I also have lemonade,” he says before taking a step toward the kitchen. “There’s a can of soda in the fridge too.”

I scan him from head-to-toe, taking in how he looks in dark jeans and a green sweater. He hasn’t shaved, so the scruff on his jaw is thicker. It gives him an unkempt look that I like.

“You’re putting a hell of a lot of thought into this, Afton.” He flashes his perfectly straight white teeth as he smiles. “I’m going to complicate this by telling you a little secret about me.”

My heart flutters inside my chest because I have no idea what he’s about to share with me.

“What secret?” I ask softly.

“I make a fantastic cup of coffee.” His arms cross his broad chest. “I’m talking the best in the firehouse. I can whip you up a hot one or an iced one.”

“Iced coffee sounds like heaven right now.”

“Let me guess…” he begins as he looks me up and down. “You add a spoon of sugar and some cream.”

I smile. “How did you know?”

He tilts his head. “Kismet.”

“Kismet?”

Nodding, he flashes me another wide-mouthed smile. “Fate decided we needed to be friends. I figured that since you’re a fan of lasagna and mint chocolate chip ice cream, that there was a good chance you’d take your coffee the same way I take mine.”

“Are we friends?”

I regret the question as soon as it leaves my lips. I’m not sure how I’d define what’s happening between us. We’re more than acquaintances, but this isn’t a friendship, is it?

“I think we’re friends,” he states boldly. “I helped you out of a tricky situation. You’re going to teach me how to cook that pasta dish you made the other night so I can impress Marti.”

I laugh. “Am I?”

He shoves a hand into the front pocket of his jeans. “I watched the Rise and Shine clip of the recipe’s creator, but what she prepared on camera didn’t look nearly as good as what I ate at your place.”

Smiling, I bow my head. I have to agree. I watched the segment too and noticed that she forgot to add an integral ingredient. I’m not surprised. I’ve never been on national television. I can’t begin to imagine the pressure she was under.

“When you have a free night, you’re more than welcome to come over and I can show you how to make it,” I say without giving it any thought.

“I’ll look forward to that.” He tilts his chin toward the kitchen. “I’ll get started on the coffee. Make yourself at home, Afton.”

I offer him a smile. “Thanks, Luke.”

Watching him walk away, I have to wonder if maybe he’s right. Maybe we are friends.

 

***

 

Our small talk through dinner was mostly centered on the food. Luke’s grandmother can cook. I have no idea if her skills were crafted in culinary school, but I’d bet money that she learned how to make the perfect pasta and the best tasting red sauce by watching her mother do it.

My mom’s not a wizard in the kitchen.

As soon as I expressed an interest in cooking when I was twelve, Cleta handed me an apron and put me to work.

She taught me the basics, and I’ve built on that since then. 

I listen intently as Luke finishes up with the dishes in the kitchen. I offered to help, but he shooed me away with a swat of his hand in the air and a laugh. He told me that the kitchen was too small for both of us. He’s right. It’s a tight fit.

“I’m afraid my dessert offerings are limited to tiramisu or a honey ricotta cheesecake that I already ate half of.”

I glance up to find Luke rounding the corner toward where I’m sitting on his couch. “You’re afraid? They both sound like great desserts.”

“Great but they don’t compare to mint chocolate chip ice cream.” He feigns a frown. “I’ll stock my freezer for the next time you come over.”

He sees a future for our friendship that’s not in my view yet.

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve never had a hot-as-hell male friend or if he still feels like a stranger to me.

I know very little about him other than the fact that he’s a part of one of most recognizable families in the city, he’s a fireman, and the woman he’s in love with married someone else.

“You’re hesitating again.” He stabs a finger in the air. “You want a piece of both, don’t you? You’re not going to find any judgment here, Afton. I once ate an entire cheesecake before I left for work at the crack of dawn.”

“Do you like being a fireman?” It’s a question I’ve wanted to ask since he first mentioned what he does for a living.

He moves around the coffee table to plant himself next to me on the couch. “I fucking love it.”

There’s pride in his voice and in his eyes. It’s a good look for him.

“Is it something you knew you’d always do?”

“Without question,” he blurts out. “Guess what costume I wore every year on Halloween?”

I can’t tell if it’s a rhetorical question or not, so I laugh. “A fireman.”

“You know it.” He nods.  “When I was a kid, if I smelled smoke, I’d grab my bike and make my way toward the fire.”

I study his face. “What did your folks think of that?”

“My mom died when I was a baby,” he confesses with a glance toward a trio of framed pictures on a table in the corner. “My stepmom wasn’t impressed. My dad got it. He’d scold me with a smile on his face while he whispered in my ear to keep my distance from the flames.”

“I’m sorry about your mom,” I say softly. “Your dad sounds amazing.”

“He is,” he agrees. “I haven’t told him that I broke up a stranger’s wedding yet. I’m sure I’ll get an earful about that.”

I lean closer to him. “You need to add that the stranger is grateful that you did that.”

His blue eyes hone in on mine. “I’ll do that.”

Heat sprints up my spine when his eyes drop to the front of my dress. His gaze trails slowly back to my face.

“I should go,” I say because I’m suddenly overheating.

“You should stay and have dessert,” he counters.

My breath stutters when I look at his face again. He’s so handsome. It’s distracting in the best possible way. “I have to get a few things ready for work tomorrow.”

It’s a lame excuse, but I feel like the walls are closing in on me.

“I can be your subway buddy ride,” he offers. “If anyone gets too close, they’ll have me to contend with.”

I’ve always been independent and proud of the fact that I can take care of myself. I like that he wants to protect me, but I need to create some distance between us.

He’s still in love with another woman, and I won’t let myself fall into the middle of that. 

“Thank you, but I think I’ll grab an Uber.”

He darts to his feet before he offers me his hand. “I’ll walk you down. We can wait on the sidewalk together for your ride.”

I place my hand in his, and this time, I can’t deny how it makes me feel. There’s an unmistakable surge of electricity that powers through me when my palm settles in his.

Drawing in a deep breath, I look up at him. “Thanks, Luke. Thanks for everything tonight.”

As he pulls me gently to my feet, a soft smile settles on his full lips. “It’s my pleasure, Afton. I hope we can hang out together again soon.”