Chapter 50

Aria

I’m standing there, staring at Lucas like an absolute idiot. My brain? Completely fried. I swear, I couldn’t string together a coherent thought even if my life depended on it. And trust me, it kinda did.

Mia swoops in, bless her meddling little heart, all smiles as she plucks the box from my hands. “Oh, that’s mine,” she says sweetly. Then, as if that wasn’t enough to confuse Lucas, she adds, “You know, it’s for my… thing.”

Lucas gives her a look, one of those confused, what-the-hell-is-she-talking-about looks. But then, like a saint, he lets it slide and glances back at me.

“You eaten yet?” His deep voice pulls me out of my daze, and I don’t even realize he’s motioning for me to come closer until Mia nudges me with her elbow. I hand her the box and step forward.

The second I’m within reach, Lucas’s arms wrap around me, pulling me close like he owns me or something. Not that I’m complaining.

“Yeah… I think so.” The words tumble out, al