Chapter 24
Lucinda's POV
After I left the Café, Diego insisted that we all have a group hang later at the park... Ohk maybe he didn't say 'group hang'... More like couples cult assembly.
I parked my car in my garage then entered the house. Lucian was sitting on my couch with Evgeny on his lap sleeping while he gently stroked him behind the ears.
He was flipping through some channels on my living room TV and had a bowl of popcorn on the couch next to him.
"When is my surprise getting here?"
"If I told you it would be a surprise anymore now would it. And I don't get why you're so excited about it... You know they always come with a catch"
It's true. Lucian may be the king of surprises but he might as well be a demi-god. The biggests trickster of all.
He may get you something you didn't even know you wanted and have a random stranger punch you in the face for no reason at all.
But I don't think Lucian would ever let anyone cause me bodily harm...
Right?
"Whatever..."
I plopped down on the couch and took his popcorn and stuffed a handful in my mouth savoring the salt and vinegar spice.
"You're hanging out with me today?"
"Not particularly... Just need to pass the time"
He nodded but looked thoroughly happy that I wasn't eager to get out of the same room as him. He flipped through a couple more channels and asked me whether I'd prefer something. I just told him he can choose since I wasn't in the mood to actually care about life.
He landed on a random telenovela and we watched. At some point the plot got interesting and had us on the edge of our seat.
"She has to choose him right? They've known each other for a long time now... Since they were kids."
"Nah uh! Just cause you knew someone for a long time doesn't have to mean anything... You can find love anywhere these days. I'm pretty sure what they have is completely platonic..."
"Like you would know..."
"Well duh... I've been in this realm the longest..."
We watched intently as the protagonists story played out and hit us with the biggest plot twist.
"They're siblings?!"
"Eww! Good thing they never kissed"
"Still... They were attracted to each other"
Me and Lucian looked at each other simultaneously and shuddered. We continued to watch and at some point paused the show to get something to eat.
After lunch was ready we drove right back into the show. And hour later my phone began to ring and I looked at the log to that Diego was calling.
Shit!
I forgot about the assemb-... I mean the group hang. I picked up and after receiving and earful about punctuation I told him I was on my way but was probably going to walk.
"Something wrong?"
"Right... I had planned something with my friends and I totally forgot now I'm late as ever"
"Oh well shall I pause it for another time"
"You can keep watching if you want to. I won't be offended or anything"
"No.. I'd like to watch it with you... It was fun"
I smiled at him for a second before I grabbed ahold of my senses and rushed towards the door before Diego calls me again.
"You'll watch Evgeny right?"
"Of course..."
After that I closed the door and speed walked all the way to the park. I got there in ten minutes flat... Five minutes less that it would usually take.
At the entrance I caught my breath and walked into the park searching for my friends. They were sitting under a tree with a couple of blankets on the floor and some food and drinks all around them.
I walked over and was given a warm welcome. Chase came up and hugged me and I hugged him back. He gave me a light peck on the cheek and lead me towards a seat on the blankets.
"Guys! You should have told me we were having a picnic... I would have brought something!"
"Well this was actually Chase's way of making it up to you for the other day"
"Yeah... I just thought you could use something chilled and relaxed like this..."
"Thanks Chase... And you guys too. It looks amazing"
They all accepted my gratitude and we started playing some music lightly in the background.
Donavan was leaning against the tree that was casting a shade over the little picnic we had set up with his arms crossed over his chest.
I snorted at his attempt to look cool and end up looking like pimp. He seemed to notice my snort and looked at me accusingly. He nodded his head towards me.
"What?"
"Nothing..."
Lynn and Lisa came over to where me Dee were sitting and sat there. The boys gathered around a grill to make some meat or something.
"Lynn... Where have you been? Like I haven't seen you in forever"
"Ugh! I had to go to this conference thing about my restaurants and I had to listen to a bunch of snobs talk about how them investing in my business could be life changing"
She made jazz-hands to emphasize her statement and we all laughed. She joined us too.
"No like seriously it was brutal... And I couldn't just flip them off cause that would piss off my dad and shit"
"Well that's the tough life of business my very inquisitive friend"
She smiled and then looked behind me squinting her eyes.
"Who are the two hotties walking towards us?"
Diego's face immediately turned to a scowl and Lisa got on her knees eager to look. I turned to look behind me and saw Lucian approaching us with some else.
No way...
It can't be...
I immediately got up and began to walk in their direction which quickly turned to a light jog until I reached my person of interest before I jumped into his wide open arms.
He spun me around while holding me as tightly as I was holding him.
There is no fucking way...
"Damiano!"