Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“So for the next four days, I’m just Eli,” I told him and then turned over on my side and faced him. “And you’re just Luca.”
He turned on his side toward me. “Just Luca,” he repeated. “I like it.”
“Good,” I said and made the first move by leaning into him.
“Okay, so you moved away,” he says. “What made you decide to come back home?”
“I missed my family, if I’m honest,” I tell him. “In Paris, it was just me and Aiden. I had no real support system. I had colleagues, acquaintances, but I didn’t have anyone I could depend on if Aiden was sick or I was running an errand, and it was cold outside, and I just wanted it to be in and out.” I tell him all the reasons I used to justify moving home. “We had a life there, and it was great, but I wanted to come home and have him grow up here.”
“I want to be a part of his life,” he says, and he doesn’t stop there. “I want to be there for every decision that needs to be made, and I want to get to know him. I want to be a father to him.”
“I won’t stop you,” I tell him.
“When are we going to tell him?” he asks, and then his voice goes low. “Did you tell him about me?”
“I did.” I’m honest with him. “I told him what I knew about you. The bits and pieces you told me.”
“Did he not wonder why I wasn’t there?” he asks. “You have to know that, no matter what, I would have been there with you every single step of the way.”
“I know,” I finally tell him. “I mean, even if we weren’t together, I know you would have been there for him.” I haven’t even asked if he is with someone. Surely, after all this time, he is with someone. He could have a wife; my son could have a stepmom. I look down, my stomach suddenly feeling like it’s burning.
“We need to tell your father,” he says, and I just look over at him. “Tomorrow.”
“What?” I shriek. “That is like real soon.”
“It’s not soon enough. I want to be honest with him. I want him to know that this changes everything,” he says matter-of-factly.
“Okay, fine, we’ll tell him tomorrow,” I tell him. “I’ll come by the office after we visit the school for Aiden.”
“What time is that?” he asks, taking out his phone and then typing something in.
“It’s at nine,” I tell him, wondering where this is going.
“Okay, I’ll make it work,” he says. “Do you want to meet there or go together?”
“Wait,” I say. “You want to come to the school with us?”
He gets off his stool and pushes it in. “If it has to do with my son, I want to be involved.”
“Fine,” I say. “I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”
“Well, it is. I have six years of catching up to do,” he tells me, and I just nod. I don’t know how I would go six minutes without him, let alone six years.
“It’s been a crazy day,” I tell him, and he just nods at me. When he puts his hands in his pockets, I see that his chest is bigger than it was, more filled out. His hair is also a touch longer on the top and falls onto his forehead.
He exhales. “I need to take everything in. There are a lot of changes that are going to happen,” he says and turns to walk out of the room. I follow him to the front door. “Do you want me to meet you at the school or would you like to go together?” he asks, turning and opening the door, looking back at me.
“It’s silly for you to come all the way out here. I think it’s easier if you just meet us there,” I tell him while he walks down the steps and then turns around and smiles at me.
“It’s not out of my way,” he says. I can see him almost smirking, and the little dimple starts to come out. “I live next door.” He motions with his head and then walks across the grass and then turns. “See you later, Eli.”
“Fuck me,” is the only thing I can think to say.
Chapter Five
Luca
The minute I said the words, I saw her face go into shock. “It’s not out of my way. I live next door.” I walk across the lawn and then look back. “See you later, Eli.”
“Fuck me,” she mumbles, and then she comes out of the door and walks down the steps. God, she still makes my heart skip a beat with her beauty. She was breathtaking six years ago. Now, she’s even better, and I didn’t think that could actually happen. Her eyes go just a touch darker from her anger.