Luca has been very persistent to take me out on a date. Ever since agreeing and giving him my phone number at the cafe, he's been texting me since. I know that when I start my job at the restaurant on Monday that I'm going to have little time to do things, meaning Luca said we should do it as soon as possible.

After her night out to celebrate getting a job, River showed me around town with the best bars with the group. The warmth that I experienced in my heart knowing that they wanted to spend time celebrating my successes.

River is lucky to have friends like them.

As Saturday rolls around, Luca texts to say that he's booked dinner for the two of us tonight. Part of me is slightly anxious at the idea of going on an actual date, I've never been on a date in my life.

What do you even talk about?

I wish Liam was here to help me prepare or at least talk me through what I should and shouldn't do. He was never shy of female attention. He was tall with dark hair and light eyes, and girls' gazes used to be like magnets towards him.

I'm sure he would have had some great advice for me. But now I'm going to have to pretend that he's here watching over me. Supporting me from above. I know I won't feel alone no matter what.

I stare at myself in the mirror for a few more seconds than usual. Luca sent me the address of the restaurant and I took a look at the website so I know what to wear. I like to be prepared before feeling over or underdressed.

So I settle for a light blue long sleeved shirt with a white t-shirt underneath and jeans. Nothing too fancy but nothing too casual. I think this is date attire.

When I leave my apartment, I realise that I've left stupidly early but I hate getting lost or being late. I don't mind waiting if I know I'm on time and in the right place, if anything it calms my nerves and I'll have a better night.

Surprisingly Luca is already waiting outside, hands shoved into his pockets as he glances up and down the road. I first noticed that his hair is styled, swept into one direction but falls across his forehead with perfection. He's wearing a black shirt and dark trousers with a silver chain that hangs low in the centre of his chest.

His eyes light up when he spots me down the pavement, then he takes one glance over my outfit and then my face. The smile that covers his lips makes my stomach roll inside me, I've never had someone look at me like that.

"Hi," he steps closer, meeting me halfway.

"Hi," I smile at him timidly. I hate that I all of a sudden feel conscious.

Luca's eyes take in my shirt and then my face again. "You look great."

"Thanks," my cheeks begin to leak with blood. "So do you."

He flashes me a large grin and then beckons his head back to the restaurant. "Shall we?"

I nod in his direction and walk with him, then the waiter guides us through the restaurant and I glance around at the pizzas and pasta on people's tables. My stomach growls at the smell of cooked tomato and melted cheese.

"I hope you like Italian," he sits down and drops his eye into a wink.

I shuffle my chair closer into the table and nod, taking the menu between my hands. "Yeah, I do," I agree. "One of my favourites actually."

Luca laughs hesitantly. "I didn't know what to book considering you're actually a chef yourself. I didn't want to disappoint you on the first date. It was stressing me out."

My heart hammers and then skips a beat. He was worried about what I would think of his choice? I want to melt at his words.

"Honestly, this is great," I shake my head encouragingly. "I haven't really been anywhere in town yet so it's nice to try out something new."

Luca's face relaxes a little. "Sorry, I've just been so nervous."

I quirk an eyebrow before dropping it. "You've been nervous?"

"Yeah," he swipes a hand through his hair and exhales a slow breath. "I've been nervous ever since I asked you to go for dinner and for your number. I thought you were going to decline."

My head tilts slowly. "I'm very nervous too," I admit, running my finger down the edge of the menu. "This is my first date."

Luca's eyes widen. "What?"

I cringe at the tone of his voice. Maybe I shouldn't have admitted it. Now I sound fucking lame and undatable. "Yeah... that's kind of embarrassing, don't know wh–"

"It's not embarrassing," he straightens his posture and leans over the table slightly. "Not at all. I think it's kind of sweet. Although I don't understand how or why you've never been on a date before."

"Don't think anyone has really ever been interested in me that way," I shrug and look down to the menu, no longer able to stare back into Luca's eyes.

"I beg to differ," he says smoothly, like chocolate. It has my gaze snapping to his in a second and my lips curl. "As soon as I saw you, I wanted to go on a date with you."

My throat clenches for a split second and I chew down on my lip. "Why?"

"Because I like the way you looked, you were sweet, polite and any friend of River's, is a person who I already respect." He flashes me a grin, eyes sparkling with awe.

I want to hide my face in the menu. Never have I heard so many compliments in such little time. "Yeah," I nod. "River is a great guy."

"So did you guys meet because he's your neighbour?"

My heart stammers in my chest. I have no idea what River told them but I pray what happened between us stays a secret. I don't want anyone to know how bad I got, I don't want people worrying about me when I've only started to pick the pieces up.

"Yeah," I nod. "He's been so kind. Said I could borrow his WiFi and he took me in when the power went out. He's a good person."

Luca's eyes soften and he smiles. "He's such a saint. Too bad he's not gay or bi or even pan."

For some unknown reason this information pricks at my heart. I know that I have a small–very small–underlying crush on River but that's because he's so kind and caring, no one has ever gone out of their way to make me feel this welcome in a new town.

He's not so bad to look at either. Conventionally he's gorgeous but he doesn't even know it. It's the dark mysterious aura about him, yet he's one of the kindest people I've ever met.

Luca on the other hand looks completely different to River. They have different styles and the way they dress, but Luca is still attractive nonetheless.

"Oh," I say after a few moments. "Did you try to date him?"

My hesitant laugh almost gives me away but Luca doesn't pick up on it. "I mean I pined after him for ages. But I couldn't get around him. River doesn't really date. He's always too busy helping others to care for a relationship. Whoever it is, they're gonna be damn lucky."

I smile at his words. "Yeah, he's been so kind to me."

The waiter comes over to take our order, I don't fancy an alcoholic drink but Luca orders a fancy cider to go with dinner. "So the cafe," I rest my elbows onto the table. "It's your mothers?"

"Yeah," Luca's face lights up. He's never told me before which is probably why he's so ecstatic that I somehow know and I'm bringing it up to him. "It's been my family's for generations. It's her livelihood and I help because I don't want to see years of tradition and our family history to just disappear."

My eyes open slowly. "Oh, I didn't know how far back it went."

"Very far," he nods. "I'd love to get out and do another job but my mother needs the help and I don't want to see it get destroyed. Recently we've been struggling with customers and getting as much money as we usually do. They're not as busy in the summer, so we're praying this winter it'll bring in more customers."

I find myself nodding in agreement. "Everyone loves a good hot drink in the winter."

He crosses his fingers in front of me. "I'm praying with everything I've got. My biggest fear is to see the cafe run into the ground, it would destroy my mum so I'm hoping things will turn around soon."

"Don't lose hope," I shake my head. "I feel bad for the free coffee. Let me know how much I owe you for it."

"No," Luca shakes his head and leans over the table to grab my hand. The gesture startling me for a moment but his warm hand gives me comfort. "Don't be silly. That's for you to celebrate your job. You said you start Monday, right?"

I nod at him and he pulls his hand away. "Yeah. I'm a little nervous."

Luca studies me before smiling. "I know you'll do just fine," he shrugs simply. "You're sweet and polite. I bet your cooking tastes great as well, you should let me try sometime."

"Definitely," I agree. I love cooking for other people. It gives me joy in knowing they've enjoyed something I've spent a lot of time and effort in. "Depends what kind of food you like too."

"Oh I like everything," Luca exhales. "Absolutely everything. I'm not fussy."

My mouth curls. "That's the best thing a chef can hear."

Soon our food arrives and Luca explains how he became friends with everyone in the group, starting off with Demi as she works in the cafe to meeting Troy and then River and Mason. A tight little group but they feel like a family.

Being in Luca's company wasn't as chaotic as I thought it might. Instead he relaxed and I relaxed and we had a good conversation. He's been giving me the eyes across the table, I suppose they're flirty eyes and I have no idea how I'd do it myself.

But it's the first date and I don't want to embarrass myself.

By the end of the night I am pleased that Luca asked me out, he did take control of most of the conversation but I didn't mind listening. He has great stories to tell and his voice is rather soothing. I don't find many people funny but he has a way with words and I found myself chuckling on more than one occasion. That must be a sign of a good date.

We hang outside the restaurant, both of us realising that we are going different ways. Luca steps close to me and smiles. "Thank you for tonight, I had fun," he says softly, blue eyes flicking between mine.

"Me too," I agree. "Thanks for paying. You really didn't have to do that."

Luca shakes his head. "I invited you out. It's my responsibility to pay."

"I disagree," I shrug. Then he steps closer and I gulp.

"Well maybe..." he trails off, eyes roaming across my face and then settling on my lips. "Next time you can take me out somewhere."

I clench my throat and glance into his eyes. "Sure."

Luca's mouth curves instantly. "Well then," he huffs out, swiping his tongue across his bottom lip. "Alex, can I kiss you?"

I'm blinking at his question. I've barely kissed two people and none of them have been mind-blowing or if you could even class it as a kiss. But I push away my anxiety and nod, I want to know if we have a spark at least with the physical attraction.

He leans closer, placing a hand to my cheek delicately. Then my eyes flutter shut and he grazes his lips over mine, he tastes like strawberries, most likely from his cider. The kiss doesn't go much further than a peck but it's sweet and it's soft.

Luca doesn't try to make another move as he pulls away, instead he smiles and he can't meet my eyes. Is he blushing? I try not to look at his pink stained cheeks but I can't help it.

"I'll see you soon?"

"Yeah," I nod in agreement. "I'm sure you will."

"Bye, Alex," he holds up a hand and shoots me a wave.

"Bye."

He turns to walk down the street and I watch him go. The butterflies I hope for don't arrive and I find myself frowning at the disappointment. I like him but maybe I don't like him like that. It's easy to say that we get on but I don't know if it could be romantic.

I guess that's what dating is for. To figure out if you're really compatible.

My hand digs into my pocket and I pull out my phone, almost falling over backwards when I see three texts from River. We exchanged numbers during the power cut and he said that if I ever needed anything, then he's a text message away if he isn't in.

I flick my thumb across the screen to unlock the message.

River: Hey, what are you doing tonight?

River: Did you want to come over? Troy, Demi and Mason are here

River: Not sure what you're doing but feel free to swing by

My eyes glance at the time. He sent these messages over two hours ago and it's approaching nine thirty. I promised my dad I'll ring him this weekend and I know he's busy on Sunday's, so I slide my phone back into my pocket and head home.

As nice as it makes me feel when River invites me to things, I don't want to be bombarding them all the time. I know he calls us friends but I don't want everyone else thinking I'm interfering.

So I walk by his apartment silently and call my dad as soon as I get in.

I could do with a debrief about my night and I know my dad will be a great listener.

❖ ❖ ❖

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Author's Note

Hello my loves. Eeeek, what did we think of this chapter?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

What do you guys think of Luca? He is really sweet🥹💘

But who is team River?

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