“I slept fine last night,” he said, his gaze falling on me from across the living room. “In fact, sleep is the last thing in my mind now.”
My pulse rose, because I could see what was flickering in those two brown eyes that were on me. I could feel it on my skin.
Lina cleared her throat.
I ripped my gaze off Lucas, clapped my hands. “All right. Thanks so much for helping out, guys,” I said, standing up. Taco nudged my leg with his head. I crouched and planted a big kiss on him. “And thank you, too, for being the handsomest of them all.”
Lucas grunted, and Taco went immediately to him. He seemed to relax slightly.
My gaze slid to the loveseat where Lina was sitting, and it hit me then that there was no reason for them to hang around. There was no reason for Lucas to stay. He’d return to Lina’s studio. And soon, he’d return to Spain, too.
Panic swirled inside of me, making my next breath a little harder.
I blurted out the first thing that crossed my mind. “You guys want to eat something? The fridge is empty but I can order pizza.” I turned to my best friend, because if I looked at Lucas, I might do something very stupid. Like jump in his lap and beg him not to leave. “It’s the least I can do.”
Lina sighed, clasping her hands together under her chin. “I promised Aaron I’d pick him up from InTech after I was done here.” She stood up. “And I’ll take any chance I have to get him out of there early. Because one day, I’ll have to rip his ass off that office chair before he fuses to his laptop.”
I nodded, debating whether I should tell Lucas that if he wanted to stay, he should. That I really wanted him to.
But then, Lina spoke again. “So we should really get going. I’ll drop Lucas off before heading into Manhattan. It’s on my way.”
“Of course,” I said, because what else could I say?
I didn’t even know if Lucas wanted to stay, and he wasn’t saying anything.
Grabbing my phone from the coffee table, I checked the time. “Okay, sure. Then, you should really go if—”
“I’m hungry,” Lucas offered casually. “And those pizzas sound like a good idea.”
My head swiveled in his direction so quickly I almost got dizzy.
He met my gaze with determination.
Lina spoke. “You can call Alessandro’s on our way back.” She picked up her coat and purse. “He’ll have your order ready by the time I drop you off.”
Lucas’s eyes didn’t leave mine when he said, “Maybe I’m hungry now.”
My heart rate sped up, the poor, hopeful organ climbing up my throat.
I heard Lina’s exhale.
“You are not going to eat in Aaron’s car. He’ll murder your ass, and as grumpy as you are today, you really are my favorite cousin.”
I watched Lucas breathe very slowly through his nose, almost as if he was gathering strength. And for the first time ever, I was shocked to see him snap.
“Are you always this oblivious, Lina?”
I had to stifle a gasp. “Lucas.”
“See what I mean?” My best friend narrowed her eyes at her cousin again. “You’re in such a mood, today.”
Lucas’s eyes fluttered closed, and he said, “Sorry. I’m sorry. I—Soy un gilipollas.”
“Yep, you are. But apology accepted.” Lina came to a stand before him. “And just so you know, I’m not blind. I’ve seen you limping your way around this apartment, and I’ve seen Rosie checking on you every five minutes, too.” That made my eyes widen. “I also feel this crazy sexual energy thing around you two. So, unless you want to have a conversation right now about all of those things, I’m driving you home. And if you stop being a jerk, I might not grill you with questions about why Aaron gets all quiet when I bring you up. And trust me, I really want to, because this is the first time my husband is somehow keeping a secret from me, and while it’s adorable that he’s covering for you in some bro-way, it still makes me sad that I’m being left out.”
Lucas stood up and pulled Lina into a hug. “Soy un idiota,” he told her. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I might need that nap.”
My chest tightened at Lina’s words. I’d been such an awful friend keeping this from her.
“You guys should go,” I said softly, trying to keep my thoughts from clogging my voice. “I might pass on the pizzas and hit the bed anyway. I’m dead on my feet.”
The two Martíns broke the embrace, and next thing I knew I was in my best friend’s arms. “I’m not mad,” she said just for me. “You’ll tell me everything, I know that. And I’ll be there when you’re ready, okay?”