CHAPTER 10: "6'2 RED FLAG IN A SUIT'
1032 Words
Luna couldn't stop checking her phone.
She told herself it was nothing. Just muscle memory. Just habit.
But every time the screen lit up, her stomach did that stupid little flip, and every time it wasn't Nico, she felt annoyingly disappointed.
Summer noticed. Of course she noticed.
"You're staring at that thing like it owes you money," Summer said, sprawled on the couch with a bag of chips and zero shame. "Who are you waiting on, Luna? Be honest. It's CEO Grumpy Pants, isn't it?"
Luna scrolled i********: like it would save her. "No one. I'm not waiting on anyone."
"Mmhmm. That's why you've unlocked your phone 12 times in 8 minutes."
Luna's phone buzzed.
She grabbed it instantly, eyes bright-then deflated.
Spam. _Your account has been compromised. Click here._
Summer burst out laughing. "Oh my god. The way your face just fell. That was tragic and hilarious."
"It's not funny," Luna muttered, tossing the phone down.
"It is a little funny," Summer said, chewing. "You're into him. Admit it."
"I am not-"
Luna's phone rang.
Both of them froze.
Nico.
Luna sat up straighter, smoothing her hair like that would make her sound less flustered. She cleared her throat and answered on the third ring, voice carefully casual. "Hello?"
"Hey," Nico said. He sounded just as awkward as she felt. "It's me."
"I figured," Luna said. "The caller ID gave it away."
Summer mouthed _smooth_ from across the room.
Nico exhaled, like he'd been holding his breath. "My uncle wants to meet you. Tomorrow evening. 7 PM. At Il Vino."
Luna sat up. "Your uncle? As in-"
"The one who thinks I'm still single and allergic to commitment," Nico said dryly. "Yeah. He's in town. He wants to meet my 'wife.'"
Luna glanced at Summer, who was already grinning like she'd won the lottery.
"When you say meet..." Luna started.
"He wants to make sure this isn't a scam," Nico said. "So we have to act like it's real. Convincing."
"Convincing how?"
"Like we live together. Like we're actually married."
Summer mouthed _kiss him_ and Luna kicked her ankle.
"Okay," Luna said. "Okay. 7 PM. Il Vino."
"Don't be late," Nico said, then paused. "And... wear something nice."
The line went dead before Luna could respond.
Summer was already cackling. "He told you to dress nice! That's flirting! That's absolutely flirting!"
"It's not flirting," Luna said, but her cheeks were betraying her. "It's logistics."
"Sure. Logistics," Summer said, reaching for another chip. "Keep telling yourself that."
---
*The next evening, 6:15 PM*
Luna's bedroom looked like a tornado hit a clothing store.
"This one's too formal," Summer said, tossing a blazer onto the pile. "You're not meeting the board. You're meeting a suspicious uncle."
"This one's too casual," Luna said, holding up a sweater. "I'll look like I don't care."
"You care," Summer said smugly. "That's the problem."
Luna groaned, digging through the mess. "Why does he have to meet me? Why couldn't he just trust his nephew?"
"Because your husband is a 6'2" red flag in a suit," Summer said. "No one trusts that."
Finally, they settled on a dress. Deep green, soft fabric, fitted at the waist but not tight. Simple earrings. Hair down. The kind of look that said _I tried, but not too hard_.
Summer spun Luna in front of the mirror. "Damn. You look good. Uncle's gonna be sweating."
Luna swallowed. "What if he hates me?"
"Then I'll insult him and we'll leave," Summer said cheerfully. "We're a package deal now. You get me too."
There was a knock downstairs.
Nico.
Luna took one last look in the mirror, smoothed her dress, and followed Summer downstairs.
Nico was waiting by the door, hands in his pockets, looking uncomfortable in out of place in the small, disheveled apartment. He looked up when she came down, and his eyes did that thing again-quick scan, quick look away.
"You look nice," he said. Short. Blunt. Like it physically pained him to say it.
"Thanks," Luna said. "You don't look terrible either."
Summer gasped dramatically. "Flirting! We're flirting!"
Nico ignored her. "Car's downstairs. Let's go. My uncle hates being kept waiting."
---
*Il Vino, 7:02 PM*
Nico's uncle was exactly what Luna expected.
Mid-60s, sharp suit, sharp eyes, and an expression that said 'I bill by the hour and I don't like surprises'.
"Uncle Marcus," Nico said, pulling out a chair for Luna. "This is Luna."
Marcus looked her over once, twice, then sat down without smiling. "So you're the one."
Luna smiled, nervous. "Hi. Nice to meet you."
Marcus didn't return it. "Nico never mentioned a relationship. Not once. Now suddenly you're married."
"Life moves fast," Summer said, sliding into the seat next to Luna like she belonged there. "Hi, I'm Summer. The sister. The fun one."
Marcus blinked. "You live with them?"
"Yes," Summer said immediately. "Cozy. We share everything. Including opinions."
Nico shot her a look. Summer smiled innocently.
Marcus leaned back. "You're living together?"
Luna felt her face heat. "Yes. We-uh-we moved in together after... after everything with the fire."
Marcus studied them. "And this is real?"
Nico answered before Luna could. "Yes."
"It doesn't look real," Marcus said. "You two barely look at each other."
Summer jumped in. "We're shy! It's a new marriage! We're still in the 'pretending not to stare' phase."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "I'll be stopping by the apartment next week. Unannounced."
Luna's stomach dropped.
"If you're lying to me, Nico, I will drag you back to the firm myself," Marcus said.
"We're not lying," Nico said evenly.
"Good," Marcus said. "Then act like it."
He stood up. "I'll be in touch."
And just like that, he was gone.
The table went silent for three seconds.
Then Summer exhaled loudly. "Well. That went great. We're now legally required to be disgustingly in love by next week."
Luna turned to Nico, panic rising. "We have to move in together. For real."
Nico rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding her eyes. "Yeah."
Summer grinned, leaning back. "Congrats, you two. You're officially playing house. Try not to make it too convincing."
Nico didn't answer.
But he didn't look away from Luna either.
---
- Writer
