New Beginnings

Chapter 19

The next morning, I woke up to Luca making me breakfast.

“Hey babe.”

“Don’t.”

“Sorry…after work can we talk about us?”

“There is no us Luca.”

“Let’s talk after work.”

When I made my way to work my head was a mess. I was grateful to be able to focus on baking and not think about Luca.

I told Susan about Emily and she was familiar with her and excited about meeting her.

At 8:50 Luca walked into the shop looking sexy in his jeans and a tight long sleeve shirt. I wanted to smack myself for thinking of him in that way.

A few minutes later, Bella walked in with Emily. I watched as Bella ran to Luca and he scooped her up and walked to the counter to get them breakfast and I waved to Emily and called for Susan.

An hour later, I saw Emily walking out with a huge smile on her face and her shirt in hand.

“I start tomorrow….If you can watch Bella?”

“Yeah, I would love to watch her.”

“Thank you again for this.”

I smiled and wrapped her in a hug. “Us girls have to stick together.”

I watched as she walked out to get Bella.

She talked to Luca for a few minutes before Luca went to the counter and ordered a couple of our breakfast sandwiches and treats.

Handing the bag to Emily, I watched as she walked out.

“Hey,” he said as he walked back to the counter.

“Hey.”

“Can I get your keys to get back into the apartment?” He said, giving me his amazing smile.

I handed him my keys and caught Saralynn, giving me a confused look out of the corner of my eye.

As soon as he left and she cleared her customers, she made her way to the kitchen.

“Talk.”

So I told her everything.

“Girl. I know he messed up but you didn’t tell me how hot he is.” She said, fanning herself.

“Saralynn.”

“I know. What are you going to do?”

“I can’t go back but he is making this very hard.”

After my shift, I made my way back to my apartment to face Luca.

I walked in and heard the shower turning off. Moments later, he came out with nothing but a towel. His hair was wet and the towel low. I felt myself getting hot and didn’t realize I was staring.

“I’m glad you like what you see.” He said with a smirk.

“Shut up. I am going to take a shower.” I said, pushing past him so I could take a very cold shower.

Luca’s POV

I could see the lust on her face, but I wanted more than her lust. I wanted her love again. I knew I had messed up and the moment she was gone I realized I needed to change.

I got sober and told my father how I was going to run the business.

Now all I needed to do was get her to trust me again and we could make this work. I was going to marry her and have babies with her.

I felt myself getting hard at the thought of being with her, but a loud knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts.

Still in my towel, I made my way to the door. I swung it open to find another man standing in front of me.

“Who are you?” He asked.

“I feel like I should be asking you the same question,” I said with a smirk.

“Is Marie home?”

“Yeah she is in the shower.”

“I’ll wait.”

I stepped aside and he walked in and made his way to the couch. I grabbed my bag and made my way to Marie’s room to get dressed.

I came out and sat across from him.

“What’s your name?”

“Jackson.”

“Yours?”

“Luca.”

We sat in silence as we waited for Marie to finish her shower.

Marie’s POV

Why does he still have this effect on my body and my emotions? I don't need him or any man for that matter.

Needs and wants, however, are two separate things.

I stepped out of the shower and took my time drying my hair and fixing my makeup.

If he was going to make my life hard, I was going to do my best to make this hard for him too.

I realized in my frustration that I hadn’t grabbed my clothes before running into the bathroom. I grabbed my robe that barely covered my butt.

Stepping out of the bathroom, I came face to face with Luca and Jackson sitting in my living room.

“MMMM Baby I wish we didn’t have company because that rob does all the right things for you.” Luca said as he licked his lips.

I couldn’t focus on Luca because all I could see was Jackson.

“What are you doing here, Jackson?”

“We need to talk about Saturday.”

“There is nothing to talk about, but if you are worried, I will tell Sophia…You don’t have to worry, but you should come clean.

“I am really sorry Marie. I didn’t plan on you finding out that way.”

“Oh? How did you plan on me finding out?”

He didn’t respond, he just rubbed the back of his neck.

“Can we talk….in private?” He finally asked.

Before I could respond, Luca pulled me onto his lap.

“You want to talk to her alone?”

“Luca, not now.”

I stood up and walked to my room. I needed to put clothes on and a minute away from two men who have managed to make me feel almost worthless and now wanted. It felt like getting whiplash.

“Luca, can you give me and Jackson a few minutes alone?”

Luca stood and pulled me to him. “I don’t like this but I will do anything you ask of me.” He whispered in my ear and smashed his lips on mine.

I was shocked I didn’t have a chance to respond and he was out the door.

“Are you with him now?”

“I don’t think that is any of your business, but no, I am not like you.”

“Who is he?”

“Why are you here, Jackson?”

“Things with me and Sophia aren’t what they seem. Honestly, we are only getting married to help each other.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“It’s for business.”

“And that makes it OK for me to be the other woman? I am supposed to just sit back and be your girl and wait for what? Or better yet, I’m supposed to just be the other woman.”

“After a year, I can file for a divorce and then we..”

“Are you serious?”

“I am…I tried to stay away from you but I couldn’t. I’m in love with you.”