Love In Between(64)

“Is that so?” She smiled as she bit her bottom lip.

“I think my office is the perfect place to start, Miss Gilmore,” I said as I slowly undid the buttons on her shirt, then pushed it off her shoulders.

“I agree, Mr. Matthews,” she smirked as her fingers grabbed the bottom of my t-shirt and she lifted it up over my head.





34

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Lily

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Luke and I left the bar and headed back to my apartment to change, and get ready for the party. The whole staff was going to be there along with all of Luke’s family and friends. It was going to be a great night, and I wasn’t going to ruin it for me or Luke. As much as I loved my students, maybe it was best that I focused on what I’d always wanted to do—photography. Walking into my apartment, and Luke following behind, I set my purse on the counter and grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. As I turned around, Luke put his hands on my hips and looked at me.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Luke.” I smiled.

“I’m going to run next door and grab some fresh clothes. I’ll be right back,” he said as he kissed me on the forehead and walked out the door.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Giselle and what she must be going through right now. She told me and Gretchen that she didn’t want us to go with her to the clinic because it was something her and Lucky needed to do alone. She told me that she’d call me when she had the chance. As I was heading to my bedroom to change my clothes, Luke opened the door and walked in.

“That was quick,” I said as he followed me into the bedroom.

“I’m a guy. Give me a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, and I’m happy. We’re not like you women who spend hours deciding what you’re going to wear, how you’re going to do your makeup, and how you’re going to style your hair.”

“I don’t do that!” I exclaimed as I took a dress from my closet, looked at it, and then put it back. “Ok, guilty as charged.” I smiled.

Walking over to my dresser, I looked at Luke as he was getting dressed. “I’m worried about Giselle. Have you heard from Lucky?”

“No, not yet,” he replied, slipping his dark gray t-shirt over his head.

“What are your feelings about all this?”

Luke sat on the edge of the bed and watched me as I ran a brush through my hair. “I don’t know what to think. I’m not happy about the decision they made, but it’s their life, and they have to live with it. Who knows? Maybe fatherhood will change Lucky.”

“Their relationship is weird. They’re more friends with benefits than anything else,” I said as I twisted my hair up in a clip.

“Some people prefer their relationships that way; it’s way less complicated.”

“Are you saying our relationship is complicated?”

“Yes, our relationship is very complicated because I can’t just have sex with you and leave. You plague my thoughts and my dreams when you’re not around. So, I would say that complicates things because when you’re not with me, I feel like life has stopped until you’re by my side again.”

His words were like poetry to me, and they reached deep down to the very core of my soul. What he had just said made tears spring into my eyes. I couldn’t say a word, because if I opened my mouth, I would lose it and cry like a blubbering idiot.

As Luke stood up from the edge of the bed and wrapped his arms around me, he asked me if I was ok. I took in a deep breath and nodded my head.

“I’m sorry, babe. I said too much, and if you respond, you’re going to cry, right?”

Once again, I nodded my head and closed my eyes.

“I love you, Lily.”

“I love you, Luke.”

“I hate seeing you sad. Don’t worry about this teaching thing; everything will work out, and I’ll be by your side every step of the way.”

The one thing I could always count on Luke for was the fact that he always made me feel better and, suddenly, losing my job as Charley’s teacher didn’t seem so bad anymore.

***

Luke and Maddie were behind the bar, setting up the glasses, while Candi and I were making sure the tables were set up.

“How many people are you expecting, Luke?” Candi shouted across the bar.

“About fifty or so.”

“Who’s watching Charley tonight?” I asked Maddie.

“She’s spending the night at her girlfriend’s house.”

Maddie walked over to me and gave me a hug. “I’m really sorry to hear that Charley’s going to have a new teacher on Monday. I haven’t told her yet; she’s going to be devastated.”

“Thanks,” I said as I looked down. “I’m really going to miss those kids, but I’ll still see Charley every day, and she’s more than welcome to come over whenever she wants. Just send her down.”

Maddie laughed as she placed her hand on my shoulder. “That’s sweet of you, Lily, but I’ll give you a call first in case you and my brother are busy.”

“Ah, that’s a good idea.” I winked.

As I looked over Maddie’s shoulder, I saw Tom and Annie walk into the bar.