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Since I knew I’d be in Astoria today and Luke asked if I wanted to grab coffee, I said yes.

I have no idea why.

There must be some reason, otherwise, I would have blocked his number long ago.

But Luke seems like a different person, and since last Sunday—after he found out Aran is my roommate—he’s been very concerned.

I go back inside the office with Kosta to say goodbye to the guys, but Levi waves me over.

“What’s this?”

He sounds so serious that even Kosta, Nikos, and Damian step closer, clearly interested.

Levi holds out his phone and shows me a photo. It’s Luke and me talking in front of Muvi’s Restaurant. When I read the headline, all the blood drains from my body and my jaw drops.

“Mafia Heir Not Aran Graves’ Lover After All?”

“What the hell is this?” Kosta asks, taking the phone from Levi.

I try to collect my thoughts and swallow hard. I feel dizzy, so I sit down on the chair the old Mori sat in earlier.

“That’s Luke,” Levi explains and turns back to me. “Did you know about this? I’m guessing you didn’t plan on letting the world know about your background.”

“Shit…” I mutter, massaging my forehead. “This can’t be happening.”

“Was that Luke?”

“No,” I answer, dazed. “Impossible. He didn’t know I… was with the Mafia… But… there was that reporter. He took a picture of us. Luke told him to delete it. Maybe… there was another one.”

“This is from today,” Kosta says, holding his own phone. “I’ll call them and get it taken down.”

“It’s already online,” I say weakly.

“Maybe it’s better if you stay in Astoria for a while,” Levi suggests.

“Lover of Aran Graves?” Nikos asks, confused. “What did I miss?”

I don’t hear anything else. I’m too busy trying to convince myself that this news won’t affect Aran. At least he already distanced himself from me in the interview.

But what will this mean for me? For my career as a dentist and my future? Is this my verdict? Am I now doomed to go back into the family business because no one will hire me anymore? Not even as a dog walker or house sitter?

25

—

Koh

I try to get Luke to talk a lot about himself and the dental practice. It works perfectly as a distraction from my own worries, but I never expected his daily work life to stir up a longing in me that drags me under.

“You should come back,” he says in a soft voice, catching me staring wistfully into my empty coffee cup.

Did I hear that right?

Me? Back at the practice?

“I’m serious.” Luke holds me with his hazel eyes and gives me a reassuring smile that says he only means well.

Embarrassed, I clear my throat and look around.