LUCA
I picked up my phone and dialed Aria’s number the moment I parked outside the studio. The building stood quiet from the outside, but I knew better. She would be inside, finishing up, focused, probably losing track of time as closing time was always rush hour. The call connected almost immediately.
“I’m outside,” I said when she answered. “Waiting for you.”
She hummed softly. “Outside the studio?”
“Yes,” I replied. “I figured we could go home together when you close.”
There was a pause, then her laugh, light, and teasing. “Ah ahn. Such princess treatment for me?”
“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “You are my princess.”
She laughed again, softer this time. “That’s cute.”
“I love you,” I told her, the words coming easily.
There was a second of silence, then she whispered somethi
