AMBUSHED

I took a step back, flustered at his daring request. I looked around to see if anyone heard him, but they were all busy packing up.

Pull my skirt up? In public? But… couldn't he wait until we were alone? 

Luca's eyes widened, reading my idiotic thoughts through my eyes.

"No! It's not like that," he said in a rush, showing me the straps of the dagger's sheath. "I just want to put this on you. On your leg."

I cringed inwardly. Great job, Lena. Now you've just made it awkward.

"Oh!" I laughed nervously. "Of course!"

In my agitation, I leaned down, grabbed a fistful of fabric, and pulled up my skirt without thinking. The hem hiked up to my thighs.

Luca looked away from my overly exposed leg in embarrassment.

Horrified, I let it fall back to the ground. I wished the ground beneath my feet would open up and swallow me.

"S–sorry," I stammered, burying my face in my hands.

"If I may," he said stiffly.