Chapter 12. A Friend?

Leila’s POV

We’d entered the store when that feeling of something wrong just wouldn’t leave me. I couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

That’s when it hit me. Mr. Anderson hadn’t said one word about this shopping extravaganza. Luca had done all that talking and convincing. I didn’t get direct permission from Mr. Anderson. What if he didn’t want me to go? What if this was some sort of misunderstanding?

My heart kicked up a racing beat again, and naked, I felt vulnerable. Wrong.

Luca saw me hesitate and gave me a little shove. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I lied, fighting to steady my breath. “I just. I’m not used to this, that’s all.”

He kept staring at my face for another second before he finally gave me that reassuring smile. “It’s cool, Leila. We’re here having fun. There’s no pressure involved.”

I nodded, but that gnawing in my gut just wouldn’t disappear. I tried shaking it out of my head and focusing on that moment, but it cl