Page 62 of Love Decoded

Why is Lucas doing schoolwork with a teenager?

Lucas’s spine straightens when he sees me. “Hey. Sorry, I meant to give you a heads-up that Sean would be here today.” He shakes his head, flustered for the first time since I met him. “Sorry. This is Sean. Sean, this is my friend, Charli.”

Sean gives me a quick wave. “Sup, Charli.” Then he elbows Lucas and murmurs—still loud enough for me to hear, “She’s pretty hot for having a guy’s name.”

Lucas frowns, then swivels and smacks him in the head. “Manners, please.”

“Sorry,” Sean mutters, returning his attention to the paper in front of him.

I’m still stuck in the entryway, confused and unsure what to do next. I gesture awkwardly to the hallway where the guest suite is. “I’ll just, uh…leave you two to it, then.”

I’m hurriedly taking my shoes off when I hear Lucas tell Sean, “Keep working on number twelve. I’ll be right back.” And then he cuts me off in the hallway.

“I’m sorry,” he says quietly, just for the two of us. “I really did mean to tell you that he was coming over. It just…slipped my mind.”

“Lucas, it’s your place. You don’t need to tell me anything.”

He frowns. “I don’t see it like that. Even if it’s temporary, this is your home right now, too. You should feel safe in your home. Which includes not having strangers appear on a random Thursday.”

I look toward Sean, hoping it doesn’t show on my face how much that sentiment comforts me. “Who is he?” I ask.

Lucas looks at him, too. “A kid I tutor. I started donating to this charity a couple years ago that helps fund after-school programs for underprivileged kids in the city, but after a while, I realized I could help with more than just money.”

When my focus shifts back to Lucas, I see his face transform with a fond half-smile.

“Sean, in particular, is absolutely atrocious at math. We meet twice a month to review what he’s learning in class.”

Warmth expands in my chest. It’s pride and adoration and respect, all in one.

“Interesting,” I hum. “Charity work never came up in my background research on you.”

Lucas’s head whips toward me, and when he realizes I’ve been studying him, his cheeks pinken and he shrugs awkwardly.

“It’s anonymous for a reason,” he mumbles.

“Any other charities you’d care to admit to?” I tease, that warm feeling growing. “Especially if they’re going to appear in your dining room on a random Thursday?”

He winces. “They won’t. I promise.” A pause before he backtracks. “Or at least: I promise to give you a heads-up if I need to emergency foster a dog for the weekend. I wouldn’t do that to Milton.”

My eyes widen. “I was kidding about the additional charities. You work with pet rescues?”

He hesitates before nodding. “A couple of them. It’s usually just me cutting them a check, since my work schedule doesn’t exactly allow for long-term pets, but I’ll occasionally take in a weekend foster.”

For a moment, I can only stare at him. Then, “Lucas Price, who are you?”

Because you are so not the person I convinced myself you were an hour ago.

Lucas seems to realize that something bigger is going on in my head, because his gaze tracks over my face, searching for clues. He opens his mouth to say something, but before he can, Sean calls out.

“Lukey, I need you! This shit makes no sense.”

Lucas lets out a long sigh, but he doesn’t look as put out as he’s trying to seem. “Stop calling me that. And what did I say about cursing?”

“It’s an effective form of language when used sparingly!”

I don’t bother hiding my smile. “Go. I’ll be working in my room.”

He nods and looks toward Sean. But then he seems to come to a decision and looks quickly back.