Page 1 of Sexting His Son's Ex
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JOVIE
I really needto start listening to my instincts because when I leave anything up to my mind, I always end up making the wrong decisions—like Luca.
Luca Salvati.Italian. Very attractive. Mysterious. Funny-ish. His jokes are subpar, but I laugh at them anyway. On paper, he seems like a real catch.
In reality?
My alarms are going off and telling me to run as far and as fast as I can away from him. I think it’s my nervous nature. Still, when I blame myself, the sirens in my head only become louder, and I can’t pinpoint why or how. Luca treats me well. We don’t fight. He’s a gentleman. He buys me gifts even though I don’t ask for them, and he listens to me.
But…
He’s pushy. And I don’t like that.
I’m twenty-five years old and a virgin. Do I know that’s a little abnormal? Yes. I mean, how can someone gothatlong withouthaving sex? But it isn’t that I haven’t wanted to, I’ve just never felt one hundred percent sure or comfortable to make the final decision to cross that line. Something always stops me.
And with Luca… We’ve only been dating a few months. I’m not sure if it is serious or if he’s serious about us and because I’m not sure, I’m not just going to throw myself in someone’s bed.
In my head, sex isn’t a transaction.
Because of all that, I’m staring at Luca’s message with a flare of anxiety while chewing on my thumbnail.
Luca: I’ll pick you up from the flower shop at eight tonight. We’re going to my favorite sushi restaurant. I’m bringing you something nice to wear.
“Why does he always make all the decision for me?” I mutter to myself. I don’t mind going to sushi. I love sushi, but I wish he’d ask me what I want sometimes. It’s always all about what he wants, when he wants, and how he wants—even when it comes down to how I look.
There are plenty of nice clothes in my closet, they just aren’t up to his expectations. It’s exhausting trying to live up to his standards.
Me: Sounds great. See you then.
Luca: And don’t back out at the last minute. You’re always working. Let me do something nice for you.
Messages like that are what keep me reeled in.
Luca has never judged what I do even though he clearly makes so much more money than me. I own Morgan’s Flower Shop, a family business that has been in business since 1977. It’shard work. This job is early mornings and late nights. Between so many events like weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, or any other type of gathering, I’m working nonstop.
But I’m still open for Luca getting too close to me. It’s just that he doesn’t seem interested in getting to know me past my body. Every time we are together, he touches me. However, Luca never invites me to his place. We always stay at mine and some nights; he doesn’t stay over at all.
Break up with him. He isn’t good for you.
That’s just the insecurity in the back of my head.
I get lost with time, sticking long-stemmed red roses in a beautiful hand-blown stained glass vase when the bell over the door dings.
“Hey, Jovie.” He smiles, his teeth perfect and white.Too perfect.Even his voice is smooth. There isn’t a part of him that isn’t tailored to absolute perfection.
“Hey. I’m just finishing this and I’ll stick them in the fridge to deliver tomorrow morning.” I place the last rose in the vase, then analyze the two dozen stems. “What do you think?” I grin with pride.
His expensive leather shoes click against the tile with every step he takes to the desk I’m working at. Luca’s dark hair is perfectly combed back with one loose strand that hangs to the side, framing his face. His smile turns into a frown which shows in his brown eyes somehow.
“It’s flowers, Jovie. I don’t know. They look good? For being in a vase?” He flicks one of the petals and I drag the vase away from his reach.
“What the hell, Luca? Someone paid for these. You’ve bruised the petal. Now, I need to replace the entire stem.”
He rolls his eyes, setting a beautiful matte black box on the counter. “I’ll replace it tomorrow. I’m sorry. I didn’t know petals could bruise.” He walks around the counter, taking my chin between his fingers. “Forgive me?” He blinks those big brown eyes with long black lashes that I would kill for, and my knees go weak.
I wrap my arms around his neck. “Maybe.”
