Chapter 97

Aria

“Are you done?” Lucas calls from the other side of the door.

“Uh, yeah… I—I don’t have… my clothes are wet,” I mumble, stepping out hesitantly.

His gaze flicks over me before he tosses a large T-shirt my way. “Here.”

“Thanks.” I clutch it like it’s a damn lifeline and slip it on over the towel before pulling the towel off underneath. Not taking any risks here. When I come back from spreading it in the bathroom, Lucas is gone.

I find him in the kitchen, making coffee like he didn’t just make me relive every bad decision of my life in the past hour. He looks… softer. His usual mask of indifference isn’t as tight. It reminds me of the Lucas I used to know—the one who smiled easily and laughed loud.

But then my eyes betray me and dip lower. Holy shit. He changed into a fitted shirt, and now his muscles are on full display. Rock-hard chest, strong arms, veins peeking out. Fuck my life.

“Come sit,” he says, motioning to the counter.