“Lucky girl,” I replied back.
“Do you want to meet up for dinner and drinks tonight?” Giselle asked.
“I can’t. I’m going with Luke and Charley to the carnival.”
“Who’s Charley?”
“She’s Luke’s niece who also happens to be one of my students.”
“We have some catching up to do. Call me later, and let’s set up dinner.”
“I will. Bye.”
I immediately sent Gretchen a text message.
“Did you have sex with Sam?” I asked.
A few minutes later, she replied, “Yes I did. It was wonderful, Lily. He’s a GOD in bed.”
I smiled at her reply. “I’m glad you had fun. Are you still at his place?”
“Yeah, I’m getting ready to leave. I have a photo shoot across town in an hour.”
“Is Luke there?” I asked.
“No, he’s not. Why are you asking?”
“I was just wondering. I have to go; reading time is over.”
I wondered why Luke didn’t tell me that Gretchen stayed the night. After all, she’s my best friend. The rest of the day went quickly, and before I knew it, the bell rang, and the children scurried out of the classroom. As I stood by the door saying goodbye to the students, Maddie walked in.
“Hi, Maddie.” I smiled.
“Mommy!” Charley exclaimed as she came running from the other side of the room.
“I saw Luke outside. He’s taking you to pick up your car?” she asked.
“Yes, he is.” I nodded my head.
“That’s great. It’s good to see that Luke’s helping you.”
I thought that was an odd thing to say, and I wondered what she meant by it. My mind went back to what Charley had said about Luke’s girlfriend dying.
“Bye, Miss Gilmore, I’ll see you later!” Charley smiled.
“Bye, Charley. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Have a good time tonight, Lily,” Maddie said as she took Charley by the hand and left the classroom.
I grabbed my bags and headed to the parking lot. I smiled when I saw Luke’s Jeep parked in front and Luke sitting in it with his Ray Bans on. I felt a rush of sensation down below. I hated myself for that. He turned to me and smiled as I climbed inside.
“Did you have a good day?” he asked.
“I did. Thank you for asking.” I smiled. “How about you?”
“I fixed a couple of toilets, a leaky sink, and changed a light bulb for the woman in 4B.”
“I didn’t know you changed light bulbs.” I smirked.
“I can do just about anything.”
“So, if I needed my light bulb changed, then you’d change it for me?” I couldn’t believe what I just said. What the hell is the matter with me?
Luke looked over at me as the corners of his mouth turned upwards. “Just call me, and I’ll be over in a flash. I can change anything you want.”
“How can I call you if I don’t have your number?” Oh my god, I have no control over my mouth. Why is this happening? This isn’t me.
We were stopped at a light. “Give me your phone,” he said as he held out his hand.
I looked at him strangely then placed my phone in his hand. He typed in his number and handed it back to me.
“There, now you have my number. If you need anything fixed, call me,” he said as he took off from the light.
As we were driving to the garage to pick up my Explorer, a song came on the radio that was all too familiar to me. Luke reached over and turned it up. I looked the other way; it was one of my dad’s songs.
“I love this song,” Luke said. “Do you know it?”
“I’ve heard it a few times,” I said as I looked down at my phone.
We finally reached the garage. Luke parked the Jeep, and we both got out.
“Hey, Huey,” he said as they fist-bumped each other.
“Hey, Luke. We need to hit the bar sometime, man,” Huey said.
“I know. It’s been a while,” Luke agreed. “This is Lily. Lily, this is Huey.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Huey,” I said as I held out my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Lily. Your truck’s all fixed and ready to go.”
I paid Huey what I owed and thanked him as he led me to where the Explorer was parked. Luke followed close behind.
I got inside and turned the key. Luke walked over, and I rolled down the window.
“I’ll follow you home just in case it breaks down again.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” I smiled.
He turned away, and I couldn’t help but stare as his fine ass as he walked back to his Jeep. It didn’t matter what side of him you saw, front or back, he was still sexy as hell.
I drove home, and Luke followed behind me. We pulled into the parking spaces next to each other and walked inside the building.
“What time should I be ready tonight?” I asked.
“Charley will be at my place around 7:00 p.m. So, we’ll pick you up then.”
“Sounds great, and thanks again for your help,” I said as I slid my key into the lock.
“No problem. I’ll see you in a couple of hours,” he said as he entered his apartment and shut the door.
I threw my bags on the kitchen counter and walked to the bathroom for a quick shower. I stepped out and headed to the bedroom. I had no idea what I was going to wear. I was standing in my room, in a towel, when I heard a knock on the door.
Shit, I thought. I looked out the peephole and saw Giselle standing there. I unlocked it and opened the door, standing behind it. Giselle walked in and looked at me.
“I bet you were wishing I was Luke right now.” She smiled.
“Very funny,” I said. “What brings you over?”
Giselle followed me to the bedroom. “I had an appointment not too far from here, and I just thought I’d stop by. What’s going on with you and Luke anyway?”
“Nothing; we’re just friends. Why, do you think something’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Wishful thinking, I guess.” She smiled. “Do you even find him attractive?”
I pulled out my jean shorts from the drawer and put them on. “Of course I find him attractive. Have you seen his ass? You’d have to be blind not to see that.”
“Well, at least you find him hot; that’s a start,” she said as she sat on the bed.
“You know my past, and you know I won’t go down that road again. I’m happy the way I am.”
“Lily, stop trying to convince yourself. You’re twenty-six years old, and you’ve vowed to stay single and not date guys for the rest of your life. Sorry, honey, but it’s not going to happen unless you join the convent.”
“Very funny, Giselle,” I said as I put on my black tank top. I picked up my brush from the dresser and starting running it through my hair. “Should I wear my hair up?” I asked as I looked in the mirror.
“Why does it matter? It’s not like you’re trying to impress anyone,” she said.
I shot her a look and walked into the bathroom to brush my teeth. Giselle followed behind me.
“You know I love you, right?” she asked. “I just want you to be happy and not become some old cat lady who keeps herself locked up with her twelve cats.”
I laughed as I rinsed my mouth and spat in the sink. “I don’t even have a cat.”
“Not yet, you don’t, but you’ve been talking about maybe getting one.”
I smiled and smacked her on the arm as I left the bathroom. I grabbed my black cowboy boots from the closet and put them on. I twirled around the living room.