A Promise kept

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

TUESDAY MORNING - THE BENNETT HOUSE

"Ro. Up."

A sock hit Aurora in the face at 9am.

Luca was in her doorway, already in shorts and a white tee. "I’m kidnapping you. We’re leaving in 20."

Aurora groaned into her pillow. "It’s 100°F."

"And that’s why we’re going where there’s AC and water." He tossed her sunglasses. "Move."

Downstairs, Linda had waffles. Her parents were at the kitchen table with coffee.

Her mom looked up. "Where are you two going?"

"Market Street," Luca said. "Getting her out of your hair before we all kill each other over the remote."

Her mom smiled. "Fine. Take her. Be back for dinner."

Luca saluted. "On it."

THE WOODLANDS WATERWAY

It was already hot but the waterway was cute. Brick paths, cypress trees, boats shaped like gondolas.

Luca bought them both iced coffee. Aurora got a strawberry acai.

"So," Luca said, stretching his arms over the railing. "Caleb."

Aurora nearly choked. "What."

"Don’t 'what' me, Ro. I have older brother privileges."

"He goes to Lone Star. We talked once."

"On the phone for an hour?" Luca sipped his coffee. "Sure."

She kicked his ankle. "He’s just nice. And normal. Not—"

She stopped.

"Not what?" Luca watched her.

"Nothing."

Luca sighed. He wanted to say not a shifter. Not your mate. Not going to ruin you like Ethan almost did.

Instead he said, "Okay. Just tell me if he’s weird."

They walked. Window shopped. Luca made her try on ridiculous hats at LUSH.

For an hour it felt easy. Like before Beverly Hills. Before Ethan.

MARKET STREET - STARBUCKS

"Hydration break," Luca said, pushing open the Starbucks doors.

It was freezing inside. Aurora ordered a caramel frappuccino. Luca got black coffee.

And then—

"Oh. Hey."

Caleb.

Gray tee. Lone Star lanyard. Holding a drink and looking as surprised as she felt.

Aurora froze. "Hey."

Caleb’s eyes flicked to Luca. Tall. White Tee. Same jawline as Aurora.

"Caleb," Aurora said fast. "This is my brother, Luca. Luca, this is... Caleb. From the movies."

Luca’s expression didn’t change. He stuck out a hand. "Luca."

Caleb shook it. "Caleb."

One second. Two seconds.

Luca smiled. It didn’t reach his eyes. "Nice to meet you."

Caleb looked at Aurora. "I was just... getting coffee. Studying for summer classes."

"Cool," Aurora said. Too fast. "We’re just... sibling day."

"Right," Caleb nodded. "Well. I’ll let you guys—"

"Yeah," Luca said. "Have a good one."

Caleb left. The door shut.

Luca turned to Aurora. Picked up his coffee.

"So," he said casually. "Lone Star."

Aurora’s face was burning. "Luca—"

"I’m just asking."

He bumped her shoulder. "Come on. Ice cream."