by Aven Ellis
He moves alongside me, and I wait for him to tell me how he figured me out.
“I get the feeling you’re like me in a sense,” Luca says slowly, keeping his eyes fixated on Lake Michigan. “You don’t show your emotions in public. Nobody gets to see that you’re mad or upset. When a goal is scored on me, I make a point to breathe, watch the replay to see where I messed up, and then go straight back to my position between the pipes. I can’t let it get to me or it changes the game.”
“You do get me,” I say. “I’m an event planner, and I can never let a client see if something is stressing me out or going wrong. I have to tackle each problem and fix it with a smile. If I freak out, I can’t solve anything.”
“Exactly,” Luca says.
“Speaking of which, I should get back,” I say, glancing over my shoulder to the partiers at the top of the hill. “I’m in charge of this event for Livy and Landon, and I need to make sure everything is okay. I told my mom I had to come down here to re-light some candles,” I say, smiling wryly at him.
“You lied,” Luca says, grinning at me.
“I lied.”
“It’s not good to lie, you know.”
His eyes are sparkling, so I know he’s teasing me.
“No, but sometimes it’s helpful.”
“Well, it’s not a lie if you actually do it,” Luca says.
I watch in confusion as he climbs back over the fence. He extends his hand to me, and as I take it in mine, the butterflies dance furiously again.
Luca helps me over the wall before moving to the first hurricane vase. He leans over the candle and blows the flame out.
“Now you have something to re-light,” he says.
I laugh. “I didn’t bring any matches.”
Luca moves to the next candle and blows it out, too.
“I did.” He stands back up and retrieves a matchbook from his pants pocket. “And I can help you re-light these, if you’d like.”
My breath catches in my throat. Every nerve I have comes alive. I don’t know what is happening, but as I stare at this mysterious hockey player with moonlight shining down on him, I know I want more.
“Then it wouldn’t be a lie,” I say.
“No,” he says, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, “it wouldn’t.”
Holding the lapels of his coat together with one hand so it won’t slide off my shoulders, I move past him to the third candle, lean over, and blow it out.
“I believe you can light a match now,” I say.
Luca’s eyes lock with mine, and I know the match isn’t the only thing about to be lit.
I feel chemistry with Luca—electricity—and it’s something I’ve never experienced in my life.
Now, I’ll see if this spark between us is about to be lit, too.
Chapter 2
Make an unforgettable first impression . . .
I watch as Luca removes a match and strikes it against the cover.
A gust off the lake promptly blows it out.
“Shit,” Luca curses. “That didn’t go as planned.”
“Words no event planner ever wants to hear,” I tease.
“I imagine not.”
“Let me help you,” I say.
I take the foundation tube and drop it into his suit pocket. I step closer to him, and as he lights the match, I cup my hands close to shield it from any unexpected breezes.
I feel my pulse race as I watch the flame flicker between us. He quickly lowers his arm into the hurricane and re-lights the candle.
“I’m glad for your help,” I say, watching him. “I have to use a long lighter to light these deep hurricanes.”
“Ah, another perk of being six-four,” Luca says, blowing out the match. “I have amazing reach.”
Yes, I think, studying his athletic frame, you do.
Luca strikes another match to light the second hurricane, and we again huddle together to keep the match lit. My senses are acutely aware of the scent of burnt match, the way the candles flicker in the darkness, and the luxurious feel of his suit jacket against my skin.
But most of all, it’s Luca’s presence that I’m aware of: his strong frame, his deep voice, and the crisp-scented cologne lingering on his skin.
He must have followed me down to the lake. I wonder why.
“Luca, why did you follow me down here?” I ask.
He carefully re-lights the next candle, keeping his gaze down.
“Your stride said you were upset,” he says simply, lifting his hand and extinguishing the second match. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
I think on this. “But how did you even notice me? I’ve been supervising in the kitchen, overseeing staff, and standing in the corner, making sure everything is running according to schedule. I try to be invisible to guests. Usually, I succeed.”
“You were never invisible to me.”
Butterflies dance like mad in my stomach. It’s insane. I don’t know him. If any other man were saying these things to me, I’d think they were lines from a polished player looking for an after-party hookup.
But there’s something real about Luca. I have no evidence to back up my claim except an instinctual feeling I have inside.
“I hope you know I’m not feeding you a line, Collins, because I’m not,” Luca says emphatically, as if he’s read my mind and wants to reassure me he’s not playing me.
“I should be on high-alert with you,” I say slowly. “A professional athlete saying all the right things to a damsel he found in distress. But I feel as though I can trust you. My gut tells me you’re being genuine.”
“I am,” he says, lighting the third and final candle. “I promise you.”
“I believe you,” I say without a doubt.
Suddenly, loud laughter drifts down from the party, and I’m reminded I need to be working.
“I have to go back. I need to make sure we’re ready for dinner service,” I say, hating the fact that our conversation has to be cut short.
“Is it more kale?” Luca asks, screwing up his face.
Oh, I’m in serious trouble because Luca is all kinds of cute.
“You sound like Aubrey,” I say as we begin our hike back up the lawn. “She hates kale.”
“I’m with her.”
“You’ll be pleased to know, while there will be kale on the plate, you are not required to eat it,” I explain. “There’s salmon, a beef filet, and roasted potatoes. Everything is healthy because Livy is a health nut and most of the guests are professional athletes.”
“But I can shove the kale off to the side without appearing rude, right?” Luca asks.
“I tell you what,” I say, pausing as we reach the spot where I left my shoes, “since you have an in with the planner now, I’ll have them bring you a special plate with no kale.”
Before I can retrieve my shoes, Luca bends down and picks them up for me.
“Thank you,” I say, taking them. I try to balance while putting a heel on, but I wobble a bit.
“Here,” Luca says, offering me his arm, “you can hold on to me.”
I put my hand on him, feeling the fine fabric of his dress shirt and the strong, muscular forearm underneath.
Swoon.
“Thank you. You’re so gallant, Luca Ballerini. You realize how rare this is, don’t you?”
Luca grins as I slip on my other shoe. “What can I say? I’m an old soul.”
I gaze up at him. I think he’s right about that. Luca is young, that much I know, but there is a maturity about him that is beyond his years.
I wonder what made him that way.
“Since I’m gallant, as you say, may I escort you all the way back to the kitchen?”
“I’d
be delighted,” I say.
Oh my God, I’m actually flirting.
I haven’t done this since I met Gabe at Purdue, at a party where I was assisted by the help of cheap beer poured into a red Solo cup.
Luca offers me his arm, and I lace mine through it, feeling for the first time in my life like a woman.
On the arm of a real man.
We stroll up the rest of the lawn and back to the patio. I feel eyes on us as we walk. Livy’s mouth hangs open, and I am reminded that I’m supposed to be working.
“Um.” I disengage from Luca. “I need to give you back your coat.”
Shit. How could I let myself drift off like I was the star of a candy-coated Hallmark movie? What do I think my life is? A remake of Cinderella where I meet my Prince Charming?
I’m an idiot, my brain yells.
No. You’re not an idiot, my heart counters. That was real. A magical encounter with someone special.
Either way, it’s obvious I need to cut back on romance movie binges.
I blink the sappy thought away and slip out of his coat.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“You’re welcome,” Luca says, taking it from me and draping it over his arm. His gaze shifts toward mine. “Um, Collins?”
He pauses as if unsure of himself, the first sign of doubt I’ve seen from him.
I can’t breathe. Anticipation is killing me.
“Yes?” I encourage.
Luca pauses and rakes his free hand through his hair, and, oh, how I love his natural red highlights. I’ve never seen a man with his coloring before.
It’s unique.
Just like he is.
“Will I be able to—”
“Sorry to interrupt,” a catering staff member says, walking up to us. “But Ms. Brady, there’s a question on one of the special plates.”
Gah!
“It’s nothing,” Luca says quickly. He clears his throat. “Go ahead.”
Dammit! I know he was going to ask me something, and now he’s changed his mind.
“I’m sorry, but I have to take care of this,” I say, hating that I do. “I’ll see you later, Luca.”
I reluctantly leave him to return to work.
It’s for the best, right? Maybe it was fate the catering staffer walked up at that very moment. I don’t need any man in my life after what a mess I made of my relationship with Gabe. I destroyed him when I realized I didn’t want forever with him. I can’t do that again.
I won’t.
After figuring out the issue with the special plate, I head back outside where I’m greeted by Livy and Aubrey.
“Aubrey, if you would start asking the guests to sit down, we’ll begin serving,” I instruct.
“They can wait,” Aubrey says, her eyes focused on me.
Livy takes my arm and draws me back to a bar. “What happened with Luca?”
“Why were you alone with him?” Aubrey asks.
“And why did you let him go?” Nana pipes up from behind.
I turn around and find Livy’s grandmother smiling wickedly at me. I’ve known Nana since I was a teen, and I have to say, she’s like my own grandmother.
“Did you see his butt in those suit pants?” Nana continues. “Whew. That’s enough to make me ask for another whiskey sour. That was prime. I’d keep that man by my side, not send him off to eat with other hockey players, young lady.”
“Nana, you noticed it, too?” Livy asks.
“His butt? I’d be blind if I didn’t. That goalie has a fantastic one.”
“No, Nana.” Livy giggles. “That he was with Collins.”
“Of course I did, who do you think you’re talking to?”
“Okay, you all can stop,” I say, heat flaming my neck again. “We had a nice chat, but that was it.”
All three of them stare at me.
Shit. They don’t believe that for one second.
And neither do I.
“He asked if you were going to be here, did you know that?” Aubrey asks.
Wait. What?
“He knew me?” I ask, confused. “How?”
Livy and Aubrey exchange a knowing look.
“Do you remember when I designed that bracelet for him last spring?” Livy asks.
I nod.
“Luca looked at examples on my website,” she explains. “And he was absolutely taken with you the second he saw your picture.”
Every nerve I have comes alive with her words. He saw my amateur modeling? I had only agreed to it to help out a friend. Obviously, my photos made an impression.
“He said your beauty was unique,” Livy continues. “Landon teased him about it, as a matter of fact. But you were going through all that shit with Gabe, and it wasn’t the right time for me to play Cupid.”
“But now she can,” Aubrey adds, nodding enthusiastically.
“I don’t think she has to,” Nana chimes in. “I think Cupid might have struck on his own tonight, my dear Collins. That boy hasn’t taken his eyes off you since he spotted you here.”
I scan the terrace and see Luca talking to Pierre Gaudet, another Chicago Buffaloes player. As soon as I look at him, Luca’s eyes shift and lock with mine.
“Collins, my love, I think the boy is smitten,” Nana says. “But the question is, are you? And will you do anything about it?”
Chapter 3
Good lighting is critical . . .
My head is spinning with the realization that Luca noticed me months ago. Not simply noticed me, but remembered me and made it a mission to introduce himself to me tonight.
No man has ever done something like that for me.
“Luca’s staring at you,” Livy sings, interrupting my thoughts.
“What?”
“He’s staring,” Aubrey confirms.
“Don’t look at him, he’ll notice,” Nana hisses. “Honestly, is the art of being discreet that hard to perfect?”
“This is coming from the woman who called his butt prime?” Livy asks, cocking an eyebrow.
“Luca never saw me looking,” Nana insists. “I’m in the invisible stage of life. It’s fantastic for checking out the younger ones. I don’t have to worry about being discreet because nobody thinks a grandma would look. I’m old. Not dead. Thank God, or I’d miss sights like that. Mmm. Besides,” she adds, shifting her gaze to me, “the goalie only has eyes for two things in life. Pucks. And you.”
I feel my breath catch in my throat. Could that be true?
A waiter walks by with a tray of empty glasses, and it dawns on me that I’m being the shittiest event planner of all time, and during my most important event ever. This night is about Livy and Landon, period.
It’s time to quit thinking about Luca and get back to work.
“Okay,” I say, “this night is not about me. It’s about an engagement party. Aubrey, please ask your guests to take their seats, and we’ll begin service. Afterward, we’ll have a champagne toast and cake.”
I have a surprise up my sleeve when it comes time for the toasts. Beckett will give one, of course. Then Livy’s parents are going to say something. But Livy doesn’t know about the special Connectivity Video Chat I have arranged. I’m going to call our childhood friend, Taylor Hartigan, from Minnesota. She couldn’t get out of work to come down for the party tonight, but she’s going to give a video toast to Livy, which I know will mean the world to her.
“Okay, the subject is dropped for now, but we are talking more about Luca later,” Aubrey says.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” I insist. “He merely introduced himself. So what if he liked my picture? That doesn’t mean he likes me.”
“After talking to you? It means he only likes you more,” Li
vy insists.
A server steps outside with plates in both hands.
“Sit down,” I instruct Livy. “Now. It’s time to eat, not script a romance for me.”
Aubrey shrugs and begins asking guests to be seated, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“They won’t drop it, you know,” Nana says. “And I hope you won’t. You deserve some happiness, my love.”
“Nana,” I say, watching as guests take their seats, “we just met. I don’t know anything about him.”
“Which would be the point of getting to know him, wouldn’t it?” Nana asks.
“Mom, there you are,” Livy’s mother, Jennifer Adams, says as she walks up. “Come on, let’s have a seat.”
“Only if it’s next to that hot French hockey player,” Nana says, referring to Pierre. “Ooh la la, indeed.”
I stifle a laugh as Mrs. Adams rolls her eyes. Nana is one of a kind, and I love her to pieces. Livy said she’s always lived her life with abandon, loving and laughing and finding joy wherever she could.
Gosh. Nana should teach classes in how to live.
Perhaps I should take her advice.
I’ve kept myself buried in work since I broke up with Gabe. I needed time to heal, to think about what I want in life and what kind of man I want to share it with.
I glance across the terrace to Luca, who is taking a seat next to Pierre and laughing at something he said. A beautiful smile lights up his handsome face.
Maybe it’s time. And maybe I should start by getting to know Luca Ballerini tonight.
~ ~ ~
The night couldn’t have gone more perfectly.
I smile as I take in the people around me. After a delicious meal, we had a moving toast from Livy’s father, Dave, about how happy he was to see Livy find love with Landon. Beckett was next, teasing Landy about how we all knew Livy was the one, the second Landy posted about their first date on Instagram. Finally, I brought in Taylor via Connectivity, who gave a tearful message about how Livy deserves all the happiness in the world, how special they both are, and how she and Landon have what so many people only dream of finding.
