I don't know how long I stand there outside my building, but when I get to school my mind is a mess. The students can realize something is off, and I hate how unprofessional I feel.

When the classes are over, I sigh in relief. I need to think about how I'm going to fix things with Lucas. I know deep down I'm not all wrong, but I understand why he might be upset. I hated seeing him with Clare, and they were never serious about each other. So, seeing Greg leaving my place in the morning was just... just not okay, I guess.

The moment I get home I can't wait anymore and call him, only to find out his phone is off. I try again once again and I wonder if he is fine as I know he wouldn't turn off his phone knowing Nate could need him.

I throw my phone on the sofa and head to the kitchen to make a sandwich and focus on something else. I rarely have a beer during the week, but today I really need one.

Taking my food and my computer, I go to the balcony to work on some photos, and when I turn on my computer; I realize Lucas and I are not friends on Facebook. I don't even know if he has an account, but my curiosity has the best of me and I'm soon typing his name and clicking on his photo.

His profile picture is a photo of him and Nate sitting near a Christmas tree. They are laughing, and my heart warms when I see how much they love each other. I send him a friend request and less than a minute later I get a notification saying we're now friends.

I can't help but laugh.

Friends? Were we ever just friends?

I don't have time to check the rest of his photos because I get a message from him.

LUCAS: Hey.

ME: Hey, are you okay? I tried to call you...

LUCAS: I was in a meeting. Just got to the hotel. Is everything ok?

ME: Yeah... I guess I just wanted to hear your voice.

He doesn't say anything and I'm considering saying we can chat another time when I hear my phone ringing. It's him.

"Hi," I say, a little unsure.

"Now you can hear my voice," he says, making my heart squeeze tightly in my chest.

God, what is it with this guy and my feelings for him?

"I'm sorry," I whisper, and he takes a deep breath.

"Why are you sorry?" he asks.

"For this mess I caused. I know you were upset but... I had to talk to him. I needed to talk to him. I needed closure."

"I see."

"Please, don't be like that."

"What do you want me to say?"

"I understand you're not happy about it, but I'm trying to say you have nothing to worry about."

"Why did he spend the night?"

"It was late. I didn't want him to drive back alone for six hours and-"

"You still worry about him," he interrupts me.

"I do. And I guess in a way I always will. For a long time, I thought he was it, and I didn't want to admit it was over. He just realized it sooner."

"I just don't understand why he had to come here. What the hell does he want now?"

"Closure. You just don't break up with someone you've been with your entire life and vanish... We still care about each other, but just as friends. Just friends."

"So, this is it? You guys are friends now?"

"Yes, Lucas."

He is silent for a long time and I hate all this tension. I'm not lying to him. I don't know what else to say to convince him it's over between Greg and me, so I just wait for him to say something.

"I don't know how I feel about that," he whispers.

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe we should..."

"Should what?" I press.

"Can we talk more when I get home?"

"Uh-Sure. When do you get back?"

"On Sunday. Late afternoon. I could stop by before going to my parents to get Nate?"

"Okay."

"Alexia?"

"Yeah?"

"I... I'll see you on Sunday."

"Yeah... See you."

*****

It's Saturday night, and I just got a text from Sophie. She wants to know if I can bring some wine and ice cream to her house later, but all I can think about is Lucas and our relationship. So, instead of getting ready, I take my phone to send him a text.

ME: Can't wait to see you tomorrow.

Thinking I'd go crazy waiting for his reply, I head to the bathroom and take a long shower. After I'm done, I look at myself in the mirror and wonder when my life got so... different.

When I was younger, I used to think happiness was something we would achieve, and then we would have to hold on to it and never let go.

Now, I think maybe it's all about the moments. Maybe it's impossible to be happy a hundred percent of the time and it's just about enjoying every moment that can put a smile on our faces, that makes our hearts beat fast... every moment that is worth it.

Maybe things with me and Lucas are going too fast, but I can't deny how good he makes me feel.

As I try to think about what to wear, I hear my phone beeping.

LUCAS: How about you open the door so you can see me now?

What? He's here? I rush to the door.

"Lucas-" I start, but the look on his face stops me.

He's wearing a suit again, but what gets to me this time is the way his eyes trace my body and go back to my face. They are dark, intense, and so full of emotion I can't focus on anything else. When he doesn't say anything after some time, I realize I'm just wearing a light white robe.

"My eyes are right up here, buddy," I say, trying to keep a straight face.

"Sorry..." He smirks. "You've got something on your chin."

"What?" I touch my chin.

"Yeah..." He gets closer, using one of his feet to close the door. Both of his hands then touch my face, his eyes never leaving mine. "Right here." He kisses my chin and I close my eyes.

"Oh."

"I missed you," he whispers.

"Me too." I throw myself into his arms and hug him as tight as I can.

He chuckles, and it's music to my ears. His nose is buried on my neck and I can't contain the goosebumps that spread all over my body. I guess he can feel it too, because he soon sobers up.

"You smell so good," he says.

"Lucas..." I sigh as he kisses my neck.

"You're going to be the death of me. You know that, right?" His hands trace my arms and stop on my waist.

"Is that so?" I bite his earlobe, and he growls, pulling me to him until there is no space left between us.

"I need to kiss you... can't wait anymore," he says before touching his lips to mine.

The moment I feel his tongue touching mine, my insides shudder, awakening a primal need I never knew I could have. His lips are firm and demanding, and soon I feel my body is surrendering to him.

A shiver races up my spine, making me moan. His hands trace my lower back and I can feel how much he wants me, which only serves to make me want him even more.

I don't know who moves first, but when I realize what is happening, my legs are wrapped around his waist and my lips devouring his.

I groan in frustration when his lips leave mine, but when he bites my neck, I can't deny it anymore.

"I want you. Now," I say.

"Fuck, Alexia." He touches his forehead to mine.

"You don't want me?" I kiss his chin, making him groan.

"So much, I can barely think straight when I'm near you. But I came here so we can talk," he says, putting me down and adjusting my robe before his hands move to my waist as if he can't be too far.

"Can't we talk later?" I whisper in his ear.

"When I have you for the first time, I don't want anything between us, so please go put on some clothes so we can talk." He turns my body, so I can go to my bedroom, and slaps my butt playfully before going to the kitchen. I see him taking a beer from the fridge and I shake my head as I go to my room.

I change into a low tank top and the shortest pair of shorts I have. He wants to talk? So let's talk.

I enter the kitchen, and he is still there, leaning on the counter and sipping his beer. His eyes trace my body, but he doesn't say anything. He just keeps watching me as I open the fridge and get a bottle for myself.

"So, you wanted to talk," I take a sip of my beer.

"You're impossible." He shakes his head, but I see his eyes are shining with humor. "Come here." He leads me to the sofa.

"You-"

"It's-" We say together.

"You first," I say.

"I will not lie and say I'm okay with your ex coming here and wanting to be friends," he says, looking into my eyes.

"And I've told you I understand what you're saying, but if you can't believe I don't love him anymore... then... how can we be together if you don't trust me?" I say what has been on my mind since the day he saw Greg leaving the building.

"I trust you! Of course, I do! I just don't-" He takes my hands and I interrupt him.

"No, Lucas. You either trust me or not."

"I trust you. But- I'm afraid to lose you... You guys have a history. Shit, Alexia! I saw the way he was looking at you," he says, and I try to put myself in his shoes. It's the first time he has allowed himself to feel something after Monica, so I guess it's natural to feel insecure.

"Have I told you how cute you are today?" I smile.

"I never thought I could feel like this again." He pulls me into his lap so I'm straddling him.

"Me neither. So let's forget about the past and focus on us. How about that?" I ask as I run my fingers through his hair.

"That's a perfect plan." He smiles and I know we're okay again.

"Good. But I think we have a little problem," I say when I hear my phone ringing.

"What is it?" He frowns.

"I was not expecting you to get home for another day, and now I have a party to attend." I try to get out of his lap, but his hands on my waist stop me.

"A party, huh?" he says, his eyes playful.

"More like a bunch of teachers getting drunk from what I got." I pinch his side and stand up, laughing when he pretends to pout. "Wanna tag along?" I ask.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive! Why don't you go change and we meet in twenty minutes? I promise we won't stay there for too long, and then if you're not too tired we can spend some time together later."

"All right." He gives me a quick kiss on my neck, before standing up to go to his place.

Yeah, this guy has definitely found his way into my heart.

_____

A/N: You guys are the best! Thanks for reading and your comments and votes! ❤️

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Celeste