Page 39 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

He chuckled, a low sound that smacked her right in the gut as she buckled in. Man this could be more dangerous than she thought.

“That alone might make this worth it.”

“And no expectations,” she added. “No pressure. Just… time for some fun. We both need it with our jobs, right?”

He nodded slowly. “I could use that.”

“So could I. And it takes the pressure off of me to not feel like a loser always being the single one out.”

They exchanged a look, easy, warm, unforced.

Almost natural for two people who only knew the other for a few weeks.

“Friends,” he said, putting his hand out.

She slapped hers into his much larger one, felt the strength when she tried to squeeze harder and he did the same.

For now, she thought to herself. And just hoped she didn’t get too tripped up.

13

IT WAS WORKING

“Hi, Mom,” Luca said on Sunday morning. He figured she would have called before now, but had left him alone with texts while he acclimated to his new life on the island.

“Luca. I hope I’m not interrupting you. I wasn’t sure if you were working or not.”

“I’m not,” he said. He thought he’d told them the schedule he had but maybe not. “I’m off until next Saturday.”

“A full week off already?” his mother asked, sounding confused. “Are you on vacation?”

He laughed. “No. Nothing like that. I work five sixteen-hour days straight, then get ten days off.”

“Oh. Sounds hard but nice at the same time. I’m sure you love the long busy days, but I can see you getting bored for ten days with nothing to do.”

Which had been his worry also.

Especially in a new place where he knew no one.

But he did know someone now.

And that person was interested in spending time together.

As friends.

Better than nothing.

“Not yet,” he said. “I’m learning my way around and getting things I need in the house.”

“How much did you have to buy?” his mother asked. “Your last apartment was so small, I didn’t know if you’d have enough or if you’d be able to get things on the island? How does that work?”

He laughed at his mother’s eager questions. In the past it would annoy him, but he knew it came from a place of caring rather than nosiness.

They’d been worried about him for years.

Hell, he was worried about himself.

This move had more to do with getting him away from what was holding him back.