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Chapter seventy-one

Samara

W e’re waiting at baggage claim, so I turn airplane mode off, staring at my screen as all of my missed messages come rolling in.

One in particular catches my eye.

Arielle

I hope you guys had a great vacation! Any chance you have a free moment to grab lunch with me tomorrow?

My fingers flit over the buttons, ready to tell her that I could make time for her, but something catches me off guard.

Luca is suddenly surrounded by a crowd of gorgeous women, all fawning over him as they flirt. A tall brunette trails her fingers down his bicep, and he steps out of her grasp. His uncomfortable smile stays plastered in place as he searches the area for me, and when his eyes land on me, he lets out a long breath. He excuses himself from the women, shaking his head as he stands by my side.

“Sorry, princess. They swarmed me,” he says with a laugh.

I nod and turn my attention back to my phone screen, erasing the message I’d typed out.

Sorry, first day back at work. No time. Rain check?

There’s no point in getting even more attached to Luca’s family when I won’t be sticking around after the wedding anyway. Even if Luca and I could manage to make things work between us, there’s not a chance in hell I could deal with the constant attention he gets.

Nausea roils through me, and I suddenly can’t wait to be home.