Chapter 20

When their night ended Luca insisted on walking Maisie back to her car. Maisie felt her heart doing somersaults inside her chest. As they walked next to each other their hands gently touched. Maisie had to contain the urge to take his hand in hers.

“We are here, “Luca said pulling Maisie out of her thoughts.

She folded her hands in front of her while swaying her body to try and get rid of the nervousness. She looked down at her feet trying to avoid his gaze.

Luca was the first to break the awkward silence between them,

“Will I see you tomorrow?”

Maisie looked up seeing his sweet smile.

“Tomorrow?” She asked confused.

“Yes, tomorrow. But if you already have plans…”

“No, no. I don’t have any plans” Maisie blurted out,

Luca’s deep chuckle sends goosebumps over Maisie's body,

“Am I allowed to pick you up at your place or are you still afraid of me meeting your parents?”

“I - I.” She looked down embarrassed. How was she going to explain her family and her brother to him?

“Hey.” He called out as he lifted her face by her chin.

Their eyes met. She stared into his eyes.

“It okay really…” he said softly,

“It's not that. I will be staying at a friend's house from tomorrow, for the time being. I will send you the location once I’m there then you can come to pick me up.”

Luca tilted his head and looked at her deep in thought. He leaned forward. His lips were an inch from hers. Maisie could feel his warm breath on her lips as he exhaled. She instantly held her breath feeling the butterfly's fluttering in her stomach. Maisie wanted to pull away, but her eyes widened when she felt Luca’s soft lips pressed against hers, with his lips on hers she closed her eyes and relax letting him take the lead. After a while, he pulled back out of breath. His lips tugged up in the corner as he smiled mischievously at her. ‘Darn he looks so sexy,’ Maisie thought to herself as she watched him intently.

“You better go, or I will take you home with me,” Luca said all of a sudden.

Maisie's eyes widened. She nodded and climbed into her car. She glanced into the rearview mirror watching him staring at her as she drove away. Maisie had never been in love before, but she knew she could not ignore the feeling in her heart. As she drove home, she grinned like a fool in love.

It was already past midnight when Maisie entered her family home. She quietly closed the door behind her. Gritting her teeth as she heard the door click.

“Where were you?”

Maisie turned around nearly getting a heart attack in the process.

“Shit, Kevin. You scared the shit out of me. Was that really necessary?” Maisie asked annoyed. “Wait. What are you doing here? You have an apartment of your own.”

Kevin lifted his eyebrow as he examined Maisie's clothes,

“Were you on a date?”

Maisie felt her heartbeat increase. She swears she could hear it beat loudly as if it purposely wanted to give her away.

“What? date? me? Who would date go on a date with me? Ha-ha. “She said then gave an awkward laugh.

“Maisie. Who is he?”

Maisie hated lying to her brother but she liked Luca. Once things were more serious between them, she would tell her brother. But right now, she did not want to sabotage her and Luca’s relationship before it even started.

“Can’t I even go out with friends?” She asked enraged.

Kevin narrowed his eyes at her and took a step forward.

“Why are you getting so defensive?”

Before Kevin could take another step Maisie rushed past him up the stairs toward her bedroom.

“I will find out eventually!” Kevin screamed from behind.

Maisie quickly closed her door and stood with her back against it. She closed her eyes and release a sigh of relief.

"That was close,” She whispered.

She felt het phone vibrating in her hand knowing instantly who the message was from. She squealed out of excitement as she checked her phone.

L- Hello beautiful thank you for a wonderful night. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

Maisie walked toward her bed and sat down as she texted him back.

M- Thank you. I also enjoyed it very much, especially the last part of the night.

She fell backward on the bed instantly regretting sending those words. She slapped a hand on her forehead. “Stupid – stupid- stupid”

It felt like an eternity before she felt the phone vibrating again.

L- I hope it's the part of us kissing and not the part where you were leaving.

Maisie instantly blushed.

M- Yes, of course, that’s what I meant.

L- When can we do it again?

Maisie lost her grip on the phone as she read the massage. The phone hit her straight on the forehead.

“Ow,” she complained as she rubbed her forehead. With shaky hands, she texted back,

M- “It depends”

L - “On”

M - “Your performance.”

L- “Wow, and here I thought I was the naughty one.”

Maisie's eyes widened. ‘Shit that's not what I meant.’

M- “Oops, that came out all wrong. Your performance on our next date.

L - “Either way I can assure you I will not disappoint.”

Maisie almost forgot to breathe as she read the text. She bit her lower lip as she texted back,

M - “Words are just words if not proven. I'll only believe it when I see it.”

As Maisie clicked send she reread her text. She closed her eyes when she noticed it sounded totally wrong.

L- I assure you in that aspect I will definitely not disappoint.

Maisie felt so embarrassed. “Oh, my word.” She whispered.

M- My words keep coming out wrong. That's not what I meant at all. Uhm, but I’ll trust your judgment. I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night. Sweet dreams.

L - I was just teasing. Sweet dream.