Between Two Fires

^.^ Chapter 32 ^.^

Cyan's POV

Once I am out of the shower, I change into the underwear and the change of clothes I'd brought. The shorts and top were matching and super comfy. They were cute light pink joggers which I'd bought last year in my hometown . Once I am done, I open the door and walk myself back up into the top deck. The sun has made its way down the horizon and without looking at my phone I reckon it should be about six in the afternoon. Luca hangs up on a call as I make my way towards him. 

"That was Lea," He says as I approach. 

"Ahhh does she miss me already?" I ask, resting beside him as he gets ready to start the boat and pulls up the anchor he'd set in place. 

He laughs and nods, "Yeah actually. She told me that she wants you back for dinner." He shrugs, "It ruins my big ending to the night which is what I told you to bring your camera for....BUT I think our night plans can be postponed if thats ok with you?" He asks.

I wanted to say no but I knew I would feel guilty to deny Lea plans tonight when she had been so nice to me these three weeks. I shrug, "Sure - sounds good." I say instead. Really, it was for the best. If I could indirectly avoid being alone with Luca things would never get any further than they already had.

"Really?" He sounds disappointed, "I mean - I was hoping to have you for myself tonight but I guess I can share..." He dramatizes.

I roll my eyes, "I think I've made it clear that the decision is not yours. I am my own person and a single person at that..." I challenge.

"Right." The sarcasm in his tone doesn't go unnoticed but I ignore it. I knew we were both dancing around a thorn bush and although he might think it's a good idea to jump into it - I didn't. Even if he was a good guy and he'd been super sweet - he lived in Australia. Heartache wasn't supposed to form a part of my summer plans.

For the rest of the ride back to the dock I manage to avoid the subject and I focus on taking a few photos here and there. Luca tells me that Ethan was making dinner at Luca's house as we spoke and that Lea had asked us to join. I took the chance to ask Luca what he thought about Lea and Ethan's relationship but he didn't seem inclined to say much about it. 

"I know he is a nice guy and he knows if he hurts her I'll make him suffer. Plus I saw it coming. Those two fight and make up like a married couple." He'd said. I'd laughed and agreed wholesomely. At some point we'd also come up on the subject of first crushes and that led to me asking if he'd ever had a serious relationship before. 

At first he seemed hesitant to answer but then he'd nodded and answered anyway. "Yep. One."

"Why'd it end?" I'd asked. 

"I was with her for over a year and then she disappeared." His tone was clipped and didn't leave much room for discussion.

"Oh." My answer had been short but my thoughts hadn't. Why was he being so hesitant to speak about it? Did he still have feelings for her? The thought makes my chest physically and I find myself trying to rub the pain away but I knew that wasn't going to help. After that I'd been mostly silent until we got home. The day had been amazing, it truly had, but the rollercoaster of emotions was making me sleepy.

I leave my stuff in my house before joining Ethan, Lea and Luca for Dinner at his house. Besides the fact that I am super tired I make it through dinner and even agree to a movie after. I do my best to act normal in-front of Lea's curious gaze and I would say I'd succeeded until Luca ruined it. It was after dinner and I was helping clear the table. Ethan had just been telling me a story about one of Lea's clumsy mishaps a few years back and I'd had to stop myself crying from laughter. I was happy and full and I'd been roped into staying for a movie. Since they'd cooked dinner, Luca and I had offered to clean up.