ARIA
Luca’s reaction made my chest tighten in a way I hadn’t expected.
I had told him the truth because I trusted him. Because I believed honesty was the safest place to stand with someone you loved. But as he paced back and forth at the edge of the cliff, his jaw clenched, his shoulders rigid with barely restrained fury, I started to wonder if I had made a mistake.
The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth, but Luca felt like fire beside me.
“We’re going back home,” he said sharply, already turning as if the decision had been made and sealed. “And then I’m going to Darrel’s house.”
My heart dropped.
“What?” I blurted out, scrambling to my feet. “No. Luca, no. That’s not what I wanted.”
He stopped, turned, and before I could say another word, he lifted
