“Manang,” I say in disbelief.
Manang continues humming as she mixes. The doorbell rings a second time.
“Could you get that, Thea?” Manang says, in a cajoling voice.
I give Manang a look as I fix my hair and make sure there isn’t any flour on my nose.
I open the gate and I see him wearing a pair of shades, combing his well-styled hair with his fingers. He’s in a crisp white shirt and well-pressed jeans, and it’s as casual as Lucas can get. He’s grinning.
“Miss me?” he asks, horrible flirt that he is, which makes me scoff, which then makes him grin more if that’s possible. It’s been weeks since I last saw him and it’s almost Valentine’s Day.
“What do you think?” I ask instead, as we walk towards the front door.
“I think you do,” he says, bumping my shoulder.
“You could’ve told me you
