Page 12

Luca

Love fuckin’ hurts. -Luca

I glance around the busy shop, looking for Noelle again. She’s been avoiding me since I arrived.

Maybe it’s time I take the hint. My chest aches with the realization that she may never be ready for the life I want with her. Can I settle for part of her? Can I be happy never telling her I love her, never pressing for more?

The thought of not claiming her as mine makes me feel sick. I want it all. I want the ring on her finger, the baby in her belly…I want that for both of us.

A hand on my arm stops me on my way out. I stuff my hands in my pockets and turn.

“You should stay, Luca.” Ruth’s steady voice makes my eyebrows rise.

“Why? Why should I stay, Ruth? You’ve made it clear I don’t deserve your daughter. Hell, maybe I don’t.”

Ruth glances down at her shoes. People mill around us, giving us curious looks, but leaving us alone.

“I was wrong, Luca. It’s not something I like to admit, but I was very, very wrong.” Her head comes up and she looks me in the eye. “Do you love my daughter?”

“More than life itself.” The words slip out before I can stop them. “But in order for this to work, she has to feel the same.”

“She does.”

I snort and she shakes her head.

“She does love you, Luca. She just doesn’t know how to express it. My mother and I always discouraged her from love. We didn’t want her to get hurt. We were wrong to do that.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat. “She has to decide to take a chance. She has to be the one to tell me that. Thank you though, Ruth. I appreciate you trying.” I reach out and squeeze the older woman’s shoulder.

I turn to leave. It’s time to go home and lick my wounds.

“She’s right, Luca. I love you. I’ve probably loved you since the day we started bickering back and forth.”

I swing around to see Noelle standing on top of a chair. The crowd is silent as she continues.

“I was an idiot. I was scared to love. Scared to love you because what if you decided to throw me away?” Tears run down her face.

I step forward. “I would never do that, lass. I would never leave you. Arguing with you is

the best part of my day.” My lips turn upward into a lopsided grin. “I love you, Mo shíorghrá

That means my eternal love, by the way. I’ve always known that’s what you are.” I approach her

and hold out my arms. “Come here so we can end this story the proper way, love. With a kiss.”

I know the crowd is saying something, but it takes a moment to hear the words clearly. They’re

chanting, “Kiss him”.

“I guess I have to or else I’ll be in trouble.” Noelle wipes her cheeks. “I wouldn’t want to

disappoint my new neighbors.”

She finally steps down off the chair with the help of some people in the crowd. She runs

right into my arms. Where she belongs.

The crowd starts clapping as I kiss her long and hard. I only pull back when she’s flushed and we’re both breathless.