Page 49 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

“That’s great. I’m glad you’re not alone. I thought I had to work, but it turns out if the office hours are actually off, on holidays during the week like that, we only have to do the morning and night rounds in the hospital.”

“That was explained to me when I was hired.”

“Guess I missed that part when I took the job,” she said drily.

She’d thought about asking him to join her family for Thanksgiving, but decided to wait and see how tonight went first.

It went well. Better than she expected. Except no one else believed she and Luca were only friends.

It didn’t matter how many times she insisted. The sly looks, the raised eyebrows, the knowing smirks. They all said the same thing:yeah, right. She’s lying.

She just shrugged inside. Let them think what they wanted. She knew the truth, and for now, that was enough.

They pulled into her parents’ driveway, and she got out of the car, hoping he’d at least walk her to the door. Since the porch light was on, no one was here yet.

Though she knew that since her parents were still mingling when she and Luca snuck out.

She fished around for the key in her purse, glanced up and saw him watching her. “So… you survived, right?”

He laughed. “Barely. Your family is formidable, but I don’t have any scratches on me.” He did a slow spin. “Any marks on this new suit?”

She brushed his shoulders, just an excuse to touch him. “Only that tiny one right there. Tell me honestly, how did I do as a tour guide?”

“Oh, you mean when you stayed by my side and didn’t take off alone?”

“Very funny. There were no rules saying I had to be your shadow.”

Not that she wouldn’t have minded it. Only that would have gotten more people talking than they already were.

“Well then. You weren’t quite flawless, but close,” he said, smiling. “And the family? They’re… a lot. But you warned me, so you get some extra points for that.”

“I’m all about earning those points. And you made it through without crying or sneaking out the back. Not even nervously stuffing cocktail napkins in your pockets,” she teased.

His shoulders went back stretching or maybe it was him wanting to get out of his suit. She knew she was dying to kick off these heels.

He stuck his hands in the pockets of his jacket, then pulled them inside out. “Not a single one. I consider that a moral victory, don’t you?”

“You did well,” she said, her hand patting his arm. Talk about nervousness. If she didn’t know better, she’d like to steal his shirt... right off of him. “Better than I expected. The Bond family can be a lot.”

He met her gaze. “Thanks. That actually means a lot.”

“Don’t get soft on me,” she said, grinning. “We still have fries to steal and sarcastic commentary to deliver. Of course I’m back to work in two days and your parents will be here, then back to work for you, so you know, we’ll both be itching for it by time your rotation is done.”

“I can handle that,” he said, his smile warm. “As long as you’re there to guide me through it all.”

Her heart fluttered. She wasn’t sure if he was joking or not. “I’ll guide. Just don’t steal the snacks.”

It felt safer ending that way.

For so many years, she hadn’t played it safe with men.

She put it all out there for them to know who she was and what they might be getting.

She was doing the same with Luca, but for once she feared turning him off.

Odd if he was just supposed to be a friend.

“How about we share those snacks,” he said. “And it’s cold out here.”