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I shrugged. “I hear ten years is an unusual amount of time to serve. That usually you serve in four-year increments.”
No doubt about it, Lucas’s demeanor had changed.
“Tell me,” I said, certain there was something there.
He wasn’t going to talk. That was painfully clear. The old Lucas was coming back. When he was annoyed, he went into his shell. Like just now.
“Looks like your friends are still here,” he said. “Did you want to stay with them or. . .”
Or?
I waited.
But he didn’t give an alternate option. So much for that. Clearly he’d changed his mind about this afternoon, despite our kiss.
“Yeah, I’ll stay with them. Guess you’re heading out?” I made my voice sound hopeful even though I was feeling anything but.
“I think so,” he said. No explanation. Not that I needed one.
Lucas might as well have said, “Kissing and talking about you being my good girl? Green light. Actually talking intimately? Not for me.”
Fine with me.
“Welp,” I said. “See you later then.”
Even though my legs felt heavy walking away from him toward the deck stairs, I did it. Without looking back.
From the most incredible kiss and butterfly feelings in my stomach and lower to this. It had been a long time since this range of emotions had assaulted me in such a short span. I knew what it meant, and it wasn’t good at all.
Only one reason for the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and it was always a concern. But what were the alternatives? Avoid falling in love simply to shield myself from getting hurt?
Actually, that sounded like a decent plan right about now.
Then, almost unwillingly, I did turn back around.
Lucas was gone.
CHAPTER TWENTY
lucas
That kiss had been a bad idea.
Goading Charlee, a bad idea.
We hadn’t even discussed a more public ‘letting her father discover us’ date, which was, admittedly, the point of getting together. Or pretending to get together for his sake.
“Can I help you?” The woman behind the counter was young. Pretty. College-age, most likely.
“I was looking for transfer paper. For tattoos. My shipment came in, but it was low, and I’m opening up this week on Main Street.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re the guy from Grunt Ink Tattoos?”
“I am.”
“Oh man, everyone is talking about that place.”
“Is that right?” I asked.
