Last Chance

3. Lara

3

LARA

“So you rode on his motorcycle?” Summer asked.

I had been my twin sister’s protector after her husband died in an illegal MMA fight, but now the roles had reversed. I could hear the disapproval in her voice through the phone. “Yeah, but he didn’t go too fast.” I grabbed a packet of popcorn out of the cabinet and put it in the microwave. “Believe me, I didn’t want to, but it was my only option.”

“Thank God you’re okay. I’ve seen that boy ride. What happened after that?” She knew Luke would be up to something.

I hesitated for a second before responding. “He invited me to a party tomorrow night.”

“Are you going with him?” she asked incredulously.

I sighed. “Hell no. I have no intention of letting him anywhere near my lady bits.”

“Are you sure, Lara? I know you’ve had a thing for him in the past.”

“Eww, did you have to bring that up?” The silence stretched on—she wasn’t convinced. “Just stop. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Okay, I believe you. So what are you doing tonight, since it’s the beginning of your weekend off?”

The microwave beeped, and I grabbed the bag of popcorn, carrying it into the living room. “I’m staying here and watching a movie. I didn’t feel like going to the bar with April. My social life isn’t fun anymore, now that Kate is married. Besides, Jake’s going to be there and I really don’t want to see him again. All he talks about is himself.”

“Isn’t that one of the guys from the gym?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yep, and definitely the last one. I might start working out from home. I’ve had it with roided-out freaks.”

She laughed. “I’ll do it with you, too. It’ll feel good to start running again. Maybe we can start next week.”

“It’s a date.” I heard piles of paperwork being shuffled around, accompanied by Summer’s groan.

“Speaking of dates, I have one with the bookkeeping tonight. Looks like I won’t be getting out of here anytime soon.”

“Do you need my help?”

She laughed. “You’ll only distract me.”

She was probably right. Every time I tried to help her, we ended up talking more than working. “All right, sis. Just be careful on your way home.”

“Will do.”

We hung up the phone, and just as I was about to sit down and turn on my movie, the doorbell rang. It was probably Kate, who wasn’t just my best friend, but my neighbor as well. It was nice living beside her.

I opened the door to the worst kind of surprise. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Luke stood before me, dressed in a pair of ripped jeans and a white T-shirt, holding out my checkbook. “I think this fell out of your purse when you were at my house. I figured you’d want it back.”

I snatched it out of his hand. “Thanks, I appreciate it. Have a good night.” I started to close the door, but he stuck his arm out, blocking it.

“That’s all you have to say? Why are you in such a rush?”

“I’m busy.”

“I thought you had a date tonight.” His heated gaze roamed over my pajama bottoms and tank top.

“I do. Now if you don’t mind, he’ll be here in a minute. So . . .”

He held up his hands. “Okay, I can see when I’m not wanted. Do you mind if I get a glass of water before I go?”

I really wanted to say no, but it was just water. Rolling my eyes, I stepped out of the way. “Fine, make it quick.” He followed me into the kitchen and I poured him a glass of water.

“Thank you,” he said, taking a sip. “Do I smell popcorn?”

I groaned internally. Of course he’d pick up on that. “Yes, but it’s not for you. I’m about to turn on a movie.”

He finished off the water and chuckled. “Like Pitch Perfect, or some girly-s**t like that?”

Shaking my head, I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. “Actually, no. Although, there’s nothing wrong with those. It’s North and South. I doubt you’ve ever heard of it.” I grabbed the remote and sat down on the couch, pulling my popcorn into my lap.

Luke hopped over and sat down beside me, stealing a handful of my treat. He popped a few kernels into his mouth and smiled. “I didn’t know you liked war movies. Or is it Patrick Swayze you like?”

“How did you know he was in the movie?”

He grabbed another handful of popcorn. “Evan’s mother used to watch it all the time when we were kids. I think she had a celebrity crush on the man who played George Hazard.” The thought made me smile. “Do you mind if I watch it with you until your date gets here?”

“You really want to watch it?”

With a sly grin on his face, he ran a hand through his dirty blond hair and shrugged. “Why not?”

“I don’t know. I figured you’d be washing your crotch for whatever girl is on the menu for the evening. You’re always at the restaurant on Friday nights for someone new.”

“I guess I wasn’t feeling it tonight. I want to do something different.”

“Suit yourself,” I laughed, turning on the TV. “When you get bored, you know where the door is.”

“Don’t you want to wait for your date?”

Sighing, I pressed play and kept my gaze on the screen. “There’s no date, asswipe. I only said it so you’d leave me alone. I can see now that’s not going to happen.”

He moved closer and ate more of the popcorn. “Nope. You intrigued me today. I’ve missed spending time with you.”

I snorted. “You won’t be saying that for too much longer.”

“You’d be surprised. Oh, before I forget, you need to be at my house tomorrow by six o’clock. We’ll leave from there together.”

“Who said I was going with you to the party?”

“Oh, come on. It’s not like you have to touch me, or even like me. Live a little. Would it kill you to be my date?”

“I don’t know, it might.” I reached in the bag to get more popcorn, but he snatched it out of my hands. “You better give it back. Don’t mess with my damn popcorn.”

“I’ll give it back when you say you’ll go with me.”

Growling, I jumped over him to reach for it, but he grabbed me around the waist and brought me down on his lap. The popcorn fell to the floor, and I giggled as he tickled me under the arms. I squirmed so much, we fell to the floor and I banged my elbow on the coffee table.

“s**t, that hurt, you fucker.” I laughed, trying to catch my breath.

Luke’s face was incredibly close to mine, his body pressed against me. “Are you okay?”

I looked up into his eyes. Dammit, he was really hot. Too bad it was wasted on him. “I’m fine.”

He stared down at me, his gaze moving to my lips. They parted slightly and his head dipped lower.

Do girls actually fall for this s**t? “Are you ready to watch the movie?”

He looked at my lips again and sighed. “Sure.” Sliding away from me, he got up and extended his hand to help me up.

We watched two episodes of North and South, then started on the third one. Luke was really committing to the farce he was playing. But it wouldn’t work; I would never sleep with him.