Page 87 of Worship

“For fuck’s sake. Let me in,” he laughs, holding the door in place and looking down at my irritated face.

“No,” I bark out firmly.

He gives the door a slow push, and it moves me backward.

“I’m only asking to be polite, Angel.” His tone firm and threatening.

I let it open and stick a hand on my hip.

“Then be polite, Luca. Accept my answer.”

Right as I say it, my neighbor from across the way pops his head out. He’s a surfer-looking guy, and I’m pretty sure all he does is smoke pot and spend his trust fund. But he’s nice enough.

“Hey, Gretchen. Everything cool?”

I can see him trying to take in what’s happening past Luca’s back, but since Luca takes up most of the doorway, that’s hard to do.

I raise my eyebrows to Luca, who stares at me but speaks to Ethan.

“Go the fuck in your apartment. Nobody needs you here.”

I smack his chest, and he winks at me. I swear he doesn’t give any fucks about anyone but himself.

“Hey, man, that’s not cool,” Ethan answers in true granola pothead form.

Luca starts to turn around, and I grab his shirt, shaking my head.

“I’m good, Ethan. Thanks. My boyfriend is just a dick. It’s a condition he’s seeking help for. Don’t worry, I got it.”

Luca’s face grows in amusement.

“Boyfriend?”He smirks.

Shit.

I wave him inside, closing the door.

“Get in and stop embarrassing me. I thought it was easier than ‘gigantic pain in the ass.’”

As he walks in, his eyes scan my body up and down, and everywhere his gaze touches breaks out into goose bumps. I turn and walk to the kitchen, setting my bag down, trying to gain some space and calm down.

Luca’s voice calls from behind, “I forgot your extra calamari. Don’t be grumpy.”

I roll my eyes because I need it more than ever.

“Why are you here?” I ask, bringing the container to my nose inhaling the goodness.

He rounds the island and invades my space, putting a hand down on the marble top, his body too close.

“Because we need to talk and you’re avoiding me.”

Luca looks down at me with determined eyes.

“I’m not avoiding you, I’m postponing you.” I put my hand on his chest and push him back. “Space, please.”

He grabs my wrist, holding me in place.

“Stop doing that.”