Luca looked away from his computer when he heard the gentle tapping on his open door. He looked up to find Sloane standing there with a meek smile and a box of donuts."Oh God," he groaned loudly. "I'm not in the mood for your antics today, Sloane.""I'm here to apologize actually," Sloane muttered. "You have every right to kick me out and I'll leave if you really want me to."Luca sighed but gestured for Sloane to sit down across from him, against his better judgment. Sloane smiled at him gratefully before placing the box of donuts on the desk between them."This is a peace offering," Sloane said gently as she pushed the box toward Luca. "I know it's not much, but I figured it's a start?"Luca looked down at the donuts before looking back up at Sloane with no expression. Sloane squirmed uncomfortably and averted her gaze. Luca watched her for a few minutes before sighing quietly."Okay," Luca said before turning back to his computer. "Whatever. Apology accepted."Sloane frowned
"Hi Luca," Sloane chirped excitedly as she opened the door to her apartment. "I'm glad you decided to come. I wasn't sure you would when I texted you."Luca smiled at Sloane and offered her the wine he'd brought with him. Unsurprisingly, she was wearing another short, tight outfit. "You didn't have to make me an apology dinner too."Sloane grinned at Luca as she closed the door, wine in hand. "I didn't, silly. My chef made the dinner, of course."She led him into the open plan living area. The chef seemed to just be finishing and gave Luca a tight-lipped smile. Luca smiled slightly and looked around Sloane's place in interest. It was decorated in beige and nude tones - very chic, but bland and boring."This is a nice place," Luca commented as Sloane handed him a glass of wine and directed him to the couch. "What do your parents think about you moving out and getting your own place?""Oh, I haven't moved out just yet," Sloane answered as she sat near him and gave the apartment a c
"Hi Kit," Luca said warily as she walked into one of the conference rooms from his seat at the conference table. Kit froze for a second before spinning on her heel and reaching for the door handle on the closed door.She swore under her breath when the door didn't budge. Kit could see Gemma's figure through the frosted pane of glass that served as the wall."It's locked, Honey!" Gemma called out from the other side.Kit slapped the door with her hand. "You're a traitor, just like your husband!""Birds of a feather babe!" Gemma shouted back, causing Kit to slap the door again and curse Gemma creatively. "I'm sorry!" Gemma shouted again. "You're stubborn, we had to resort to drastic measures. I'll buy you food later.""Kit," Luca interjected from behind her, where he'd been patiently waiting."I don't want to talk to you," Kit said dully while still facing the door, her head leaning against the cool wood."She's not going to open the door until you do," Luca answered calmly as h
Kit banged loudly on the door of her mother's house with a closed fist. She'd driven here immediately after she'd left the office - she had to confront her mother and get to the bottom of all this. Although it was pretty clear what had happened, Kit wanted to hear it from her - and then tear her a new one.She continued banging on the door incessantly when it wasn't answered. Matthew appeared at the door out of breath and confused when he noted Kit's furious expression - he'd come running from the other end of the house when he'd heard the banging. "Kit -"Kit pushed past him, completely ignoring him and heading for her mother's office. She could hear his footsteps on the hardwood floor as he followed behind her quickly - but she didn't care.She burst into Maya's office, visibly startling her as she sat in the window seat reading a book. She was comfortably propped up against some cushions as she snapped her book shut."Kit!" Maya exclaimed angrily. "Was that you banging on the
Kit's lips clamped shut in surprise, her heart racing with fear. She looked at Luca warily and was surprised when he smiled at her slightly."You're rambling at this stage," he said with a chuckle."Oh," Kit murmured, feeling embarrassed. "Sorry about that.""It really hurt that it was so easy for you to believe so poorly of me," Luca started with a pained expression. "Especially after I explicitly told you there was nothing going on."Kit opened her mouth to defend herself but Luca raised his hand again, silencing her. "What hurts, even more, is that it was so easy for you to drop me."Kit shook her head frantically. "That's not true at all! It wasn't easy for me to drop you at all - I wanted to confront you, force you to explain yourself, but my mother convinced me that it was unnecessary."Luca nodded understandingly. "I understand that this must have been hard for you, especially with your own mother involved - it all looked very real. That said, my feelings are still hurt. I
Kit frowned sleepily and rubbed her face, trying to get rid of whatever was tickling her so she could get back to sleep. She cracked an eye open when her hand came in contact with warm skin.Kit's frown deepened as she looked at the strange, male finger on her face. She pulled her face back quickly and relaxed when she heard Luca's familiar, warm chuckle."Not a morning person?" Luca asked, watching Kit fondly as she slowly woke up."Just not used to someone tickling my face in the morning," Kit said groggily as Luca wound an arm around her waist and pulled her into his chest. She buried her head into his chest and started drifting off again."Stay awake, Kit," Luca demanded gently while rocking her."Why?" Kit groaned sleepily. "I'm not going to work today - let me sleep!"Luca chuckled again and cupped her face with his hand. "Can you take Friday off too?"Kit frowned and peered at Luca through half-opened eyes. "Why? What's on Friday?"Luca smiled down at Kit, thinking that
"So explain it to me again," Luca asked in confusion as he put his glass on the coffee table. "Why are they called 'real housewives' if they're not actually housewives?"Kit snorted and sipped her drink. "No one wants to watch a show called 'Some Rich Guy's Wife' - it's catchier. Besides, some of them have been housewives at some point."Luca looked at Kit as if she'd grown two heads and shook his own before picking up his drink and reclining again. "Whatever you say."Kit laughed and placed her feet in his lap as she made herself more comfortable on the couch. Luca shot an unimpressed look but placed his hand over her feet. "You have to admit the drama was great though? Give the housewives that, at least!" Kit said.Luca chortled and looked at Kit. "Okay, yes. It was entertaining - is this the next step in your career?"Kit threw her head back and laughed raucously before kicking Luca gently. "Definitely not. I don't even have enough drama in my life to qualify."Luca gave Kit
"You didn't have to walk me to my door," Kit said with a smile.Luca gave her a charming smile in return. "I couldn't let you carry your bag up. Not the gentlemanly thing to do."Kit shook her head but didn't argue, the two smiled at each other as they walked down the hall. Luca looked ahead and his face darkened. Kit noticed the change and followed his line of sight. Her smile disappearing as she spotted Maya standing in front of her door.Kit stopped walking as she felt irritation rising within her. The fact that her mother couldn't even give her at least a week before completely ignoring her wishes."We don't have to stay," Luca murmured as he looked at Kit in concern.Kit smiled at Luca and squeezed his hand gratefully before shaking her head. "She's not scaring me away from my own home."The two clasped hands as they walked the rest of the way to Kit's door. Maya's expression flickered to one of disdain when she spotted their hands intertwined. Wisely, she chose not to say a