Chapter 23

 

 

 

Afton

 

 

I stare at Luke, wondering what it would feel like to kiss him.

I haven’t kissed that many men in my life. I can’t say that any of them were memorable. Kissing Warren was all right, but it was never filled with need or desire. It was the kind of kiss that doesn’t leave you wanting more.

I lean closer, hoping Luke takes the hint.

He said he’s over Brooklyn, so a kiss wouldn’t hurt.

His eyes trail over my face until they land on my lips. “Afton.”

My name comes out in a deeper tone. There’s a raw edge to his voice that I haven’t heard before.

“Luke,” I say his name breathlessly, wanting him to sense what I need. Hoping that he can.

A sudden, high-pitched beep fills the air. It sounds again, and then again.

I jump to my feet just as Luke does.

“Smoke alarm,” he says before he sprints into my bedroom.

“Dammit,” I mutter as I follow on his heel.

Before we went out to the garden, I put a blueberry tart in the oven for dessert. I forgot all about it.

Once we reach the kitchen, Luke acts fast. He turns off the oven, grabs an oven mitt from the counter, and retrieves the badly burned tart.

Laughing, he places it on a trivet on the island.

I wave both hands in front of my face trying to chase away the smoke that’s engulfed my kitchen and living room. “I can’t believe I forgot about the tart.”

Luke reaches over the sink, his hand moving toward the window. “Let’s open every window. Do the door too. It will clear the smoke out before you know it.”

I dart to the front door to open it, but before I can do that, Nelson and Joel come charging in.

Joel is in the lead with a fire extinguisher in his hand.

He stops as soon as he notices Luke in the kitchen. Nelson runs right into the back of him, causing them both to stumble forward.

I can’t help but let out a laugh.

“What the hell?” Nelson mutters with a grin on his face. “Did we interrupt something?”

“Not at all,” Luke says as he sprints toward the three of us. “Afton made dessert. There’s enough scorched tart for everyone.”

 

***

 

The ease at which Luke slipped into conversation with Joel and Nelson was incredible.

I got to work in the kitchen to throw together a quick dessert since I literally ruined the one I prepped before Luke arrived.

I made a fresh berry salad and topped it off with crumbled pieces of some of the meringue cookies I had baked yesterday for a social media shot for a client.

A dollop of lavender-infused whip cream was the finishing touch.

While I was preparing that, Luke was asking Nelson questions about his work.

My brother doesn’t get that a lot, so he was eating it up like cake.

“We should go home.” Joel nudges an elbow into Nelson’s side as they stand in my garden.

We took dessert outside since the scent of smoke is lingering in the air inside.

Nelson tosses his husband a look. “Soon.”

Joel sighs. “I’m tired.”

I know exactly what Joel’s doing. He’s trying to clear out so that Luke and I can be alone.

I appreciate his effort, but judging by the smile on my brother’s face, he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

“I bet you shot right into action when the smoke alarm went off,” Nelson says to Luke. “You knew exactly what to do.”

I’m all about the hero worship going on right now, but it was a burned tart. I’ve had enough of those mishaps in the past that I know how to handle them.

I won’t take this moment away from my brother, though. I secretly like that he’s in awe of Luke.

“My only regret is that I didn’t save the tart.” Luke chuckles.

Joel huffs out a laugh. “Afton will make you another. She can hand-deliver it to your place tomorrow.”

I shift my gaze to my best friend to shoot him a look, but he’s staring at Luke, so my attempt to visually scold him misses the mark.

Luke glances at me. “If you’re up for that, I’ll take care of dinner.”

I feel all eyes glued on me, so I keep my gaze set to Luke’s face. I don’t want to see hope in Nelson’s eyes, or the playful smile that I know will be on Joel’s lips.

I may have wanted to kiss Luke before the smoke alarm interrupted us, but I have no idea if he feels the same way.

He made it clear early on that we’re just friends.

“Joel forgot that I’m working tomorrow night.”

“Dammit,” Joel says under his breath. “That’s right.”

Luke heaves out a noticeable sigh. “Another time then?”

“Sure,” I say with a light-hearted lilt in my tone. “I’ll make a tart for another time, and I promise I won’t burn it.”

“I’m looking forward to that.” Luke shifts his gaze to my brother and Joel. “It was good meeting you, Nelson, and I’m glad we had a chance to talk, Joel.”

Both men smile.

“I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again soon,” Nelson says before Joel can get a word in. “We’re going to head back upstairs, so you have a chance to say goodnight without the two of us hanging around.”

Joel nods in agreement. “Take care, Luke.”

“You too,” Luke offers with a grin.

I walk my brother and Joel out in silence. When we reach the door of my apartment, Nelson turns to look at me. “He’s a good guy, Afton. I like him.”

I fight the urge to say that I like him too because this isn’t the time since I can hear Luke approaching me from behind.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” Joel says in a soft tone. “Or not. Shoot me a text if you have company when you wake up.”

Swatting a hand over his arm, I lean in to kiss his cheek before I do the same to my brother. “Goodnight, you two. I love you both.”