How (Not) to Fall in Love(71)

He pointed at me. “And you need to watch movies from the twenty-first century. There’s this thing called Netflix. Maybe you’ve heard of it?”

I clucked my tongue. “And here I thought you were a romantic.”

“Oh I am,” he said. “I can prove it.” He shot me a sexy smile. “Come here and I’ll show you.”

So I did.

Long after the espressos were cold, we sat down to eat generic cereal. Lucas frowned after he took a bite. “You need to buy the good stuff.”

“We’re on a budget, cereal snob.”

“You gotta watch for the sales. Pickles is great at that. She’s in charge of cereal choices, but she can’t spend more than three bucks a box.”

I laughed. “I’ll take her shopping with me sometime.”

He sighed. “That reminds me. It’s going to suck having a four-year-old gloat about my love life. She’s been wanting us to get together since that day she spilled all the beads at Liz’s.”

I ducked my head. “She has excellent taste.”

He took a bite of cereal and nodded. “Except for the Firestorm Fairies.”

“You have a lot to learn, Grasshopper. We’ll start with season one, Fire Force Revealed.”

“It can’t be any worse than the ancient stuff you watch.”

I threw my napkin at him.

He slid off the barstool. “Come on,” he said, reaching for my hand. “We have to finish our conversation.” He pulled me into the family room and we plopped on the couch. He pulled on his shirt, which was probably a good thing, if he wanted me to focus. I waited while he tugged on his shoes.

“Last night, before we got…distracted…I told you I had a few suggestions.”

I opened my mouth and he put a finger on my lips. “Please. Just this once. Listen.”

My lips closed and he dropped his hand.

“Okay, so, it’s none of my business, yet it is. Especially now.” His eyes locked on me, brimming with emotion. “I think Mrs. Sandri’s house would be perfect for you and your mom. But now your mom doesn’t have a job.”

“I’ve been thinking about that, too,” I whispered, blinking back tears.

“I’m sure the estate sale will pull in a decent amount of cash. But you need to put down a deposit and first month’s rent now.” He took a breath. “Don’t you dare accuse me of rescuing you. It would be a loan. You’d pay me back when you could.”

“No—” I began, but he put up his hand.

His eyes pleaded with me. “God, Darcy. It’s not like you’re stealing from me. And I mean it about being a loan. Because I know that’s the only way you’ll accept help.”

A few traitorous tears escaped. Lucas reached over to wipe them away with his thumb, his touch making me shiver.

“I’ve got to get to class, then I’m due at Charlie’s at two. Are you working after school today?”

“No, but I need to come by for more boxes.”

Lucas nodded. “Good. You need to bring your mom so she can sign the lease. I’ll arrange to meet Mrs. Sandri. How about four at her house?”

“Lucas. You’re so incredibly…” There weren’t enough superlatives for me to say what was in my heart.

“Zip it.” He grinned at me. “You had me at hello.”

We stared at each other, then he stood up suddenly. “I can’t stay here, or else I’ll start kissing you again and I’ll never make it to class.” He put out his hands and pulled me to my feet. “One last thing, Darcy.” He paused and ran a hand through his hair.

“I know what you’re going to say. About my mom and her drinking. She needs help.” He looked relieved that I’d said it and he didn’t have to. I stared at his shoes as I spoke. “I just haven’t been able to confront her yet.” But last night was the last straw. I had to talk to her. Maybe losing her job would make her face the truth.

Lucas tilted my chin so I was looking at him. “Do you want me here when you talk to her? Or maybe Charlie?”

I shook my head. “It’s really between her and me.” I put my hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. “But thank you.”

His jaw twitched as he covered my hand with his. I felt his heart speed up. “I’ll see you later today. Text me if you can’t make the four o’clock.”

“Okay,” I whispered. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “That one doesn’t count. Now get out of here.”

“Your wish is my command, Shaker Girl.”

After he drove away, I dragged Toby back into the house. He’d chased Lucas’s car halfway down the driveway.

I knew just how Toby felt.





Chapter Twenty-Six


I carried a steaming mug of coffee into Mom’s bedroom and perched on the bed, rubbing her back. She mumbled and rolled away from me, pulling the covers up to her neck.

“Mom,” I spoke quietly. “It’s time to wake up.”

She mumbled again. I set the mug on the nightstand and pulled the covers back. She rolled over and glared at me. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Her face was smeared with makeup. Her hair hadn’t been washed in forever.