Before I even realize what I’m doing, my thumb presses End call.
I stare at my phone screen, the name lingering there like a stain, and then I hit Do Not Disturb.
I’m having one of the best evenings in a long time, and I’ll be damned if I let a spawn of the devil ruin it for me.
I look at myself in the mirror, taking in my flushed cheeks, rosy lips, and visible cleavage. I can feel a ripple of adrenaline, a little spark of excitement. Luke’s waiting for me downstairs, and from the way he looked at me earlier, I can tell it’s going to be… memorable. With one last sweep of my hair, I smooth down my dress, letting it hug my curves just right, and head out the door.
The scent of Luke’s cooking fills the hall as I make my way down the stairs, warm and savory. I catch a glimpse of him and Javier already waiting at the table, and the second our eyes meet, Luke’s entire face lights up. There’s something in his gaze, an intensity, like I’m the only person in the room. My breath catches for just a second, and I know exactly where this night will end-in complete, blissful surrender.
Javier, seated by the table, throws up his hands. “See? She’s alive, Lucas. I kept telling him he’d have a heart attack if he kept pacing like that. Told him to get used to these things. Women are always late.”
I roll my eyes, grinning. “No, we’re not.”
“Says a late woman.”
I can’t help but laugh. I settle in beside Luke, close enough that I can feel the heat of him. Leaning in, I gently hold his chin, drawing him toward me. “Tell your grandfather I’m not a latecomer,” I murmur, my lips just a breath away from his.
Luke’s eyes darken, his smile slow and wicked. “Julie’s never late,” he says, his voice low, with just a touch of that edge that makes my pulse race. “The most it’s ever been was a minute.”
Javier groans, realizing what we mean. “I hate you both. This is sexual harassment.”
Luke chuckles, glancing over at him. “Pretty sure that wouldn’t fly in court, Grandpa.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re harassing my ears,” Javier shoots back. “Let’s eat, for god’s sake. I’m salivating here.”
The smell from the dishes in front of us is downright heavenly, and my stomach growls in agreement. Luke serves me a generous helping of what looks like a perfectly seasoned dish of rice and chicken with a rich, fragrant sauce that has my mouth watering before I even taste it. I take a bite and nearly melt on the spot.
“This is amazing,” I say, savoring each flavor as it bursts in my mouth. “What is this?”
Luke leans back, looking smug. “It’s arroz con pollo. I thought I’d go with something traditional.”
“It’s wonderful,” I say between bites, “but maybe not as wonderful as hearing you pronounce it.”
Javier perks up, grinning as he takes a long sip of his drink. “Did I tell you Lucas won a cooking competition once?”
My eyes widen, and I give Luke a look. “Oh, really?”
Luke waves a hand, looking almost sheepish. “Let’s… maybe not bring that up.”
But Javier ignores Luke’s protests. “His little sister signed up for this big cooking competition when she was a kid, but the poor thing caught the flu the morning of. Being the good big brother he is, Lucas here went in her place.”
Luke groans, rubbing his face. “Please don’t…”
Javier continues, undeterred. “He had to wear her dress, a wig, makeup-the whole deal. Swear to god, he was so little you couldn’t tell the difference.”
I gasp, laughing as I picture a mini Luke in a frilly dress and wig. “And he won?”
“By a large margin,” Javier crows, clearly delighted with the story.
Luke shakes his head, covering his face with one hand. “Can we change the topic, please? It’s not exactly the proudest moment of my past.”
I can’t help but laugh as I reach over and give his hand a squeeze. “Oh, baby, I think it’s beautiful.”
“To you, I guess.”
We continue eating, the conversation flowing as easily as the wine. Luke explains each dish with that quiet pride he doesn’t let show often, while I savor every bite. The whole scene feels dreamlike-a warm glow in a life that’s been too cold for too long.
After a while, Javier pulls out his phone and leans back in his wheelchair, an amused smile on his face. “This moment needs to be documented. I need proof for the rest of the family, so they’ll finally believe me when I say Lucas has a girlfriend.”
Luke and I exchange a look, and then, laughing, we lean together, striking a few silly poses while Javier snaps photos.
I playfully pout. “Hope you’re getting my good angles?”
Javier scoffs. “I just need a picture where you both look like human beings. That’s all.”
“Oh really?” I say. “Then capture this for the audience.” I turn and kiss Luke, feeling his lips respond instantly, that familiar heat sparking between us.
“As much as I hate this,” Javier mutters, clicking the camera, “kissing him was a very good idea. Thank you, Julie.”
When we pull away, I meet Luke’s eyes, losing myself for a moment in their warmth. I barely notice Javier in the background, mumbling something about sending the pictures to the family group chat. But then he lets out a string of curses in Spanish, loud enough to snap us both back to reality.
Luke turns, eyebrows raised. “What is it?”
Javier hands Luke the phone, his face grim. “Look at this,” he mutters.
I watch as Luke’s face changes, his expression darkening with each line he reads. His jaw sets, muscles in his cheek tightening, and a chill runs through me. Whatever’s on that phone, it’s not good.
“What is it?” I ask.
Luke hesitates, glancing over at Javier as if for confirmation, before looking back at me. “Maybe we should eat first. Just… take a breath.”
I narrow my eyes, crossing my arms. “Stop keeping me in suspense. What is it, Luke?”
After a beat, he lets out a sigh. “There’s… there’s been an article.”
“An article?”
“Yeah,” he says, not meeting my eyes. “Someone wrote about… you. And me. And Ryan.”