Chapter 107: First Impressions

Luca felt the weight of Ethan's brother's gaze, which seemed to size him up in an instant. "So, you're the one who's been keeping my brother entertained," he said, leaning back in his chair with a playful smirk.

Ethan chuckled, his expression light. "You know how it is, always keeping me on my toes. Luca's amazing."

"Is he now?" His brother leaned forward, studying Luca with an intensity that made him feel both flattered and exposed. "What do you do, Luca?"

"I'm a graphic designer," Luca replied, trying to keep his voice steady despite the nerves bubbling in his stomach. "I work mostly on digital art and branding for small businesses."

"Impressive," Ethan's brother replied, a hint of admiration in his voice. "You know, Ethan could use some help with his—"

"Okay, enough about me!" Ethan interjected, playfully nudging his brother's shoulder. "Let's talk about you. How's work at the office?"

The conversation shifted to their brother's job, and Luca felt a mixture of relief and apprehension wash over him. He was grateful for the change in topic but still hyper-aware of the underlying scrutiny.

As Ethan and his brother bantered back and forth, Luca found himself drawn into the dynamic between them. There was a camaraderie that was palpable, a brotherly bond that felt both comforting and intimidating. He watched how Ethan lit up when his brother teased him, a side of Ethan he hadn't seen before.

After a few minutes of light-hearted conversation, Ethan's brother turned his attention back to Luca. "So, what's it like working with my brother?" he asked, an eyebrow raised in genuine curiosity.

"It's been… eye-opening," Luca said, trying to keep it light. "He's passionate about what he does, which makes it really inspiring to be around him."

Ethan smiled at that, his eyes sparkling. "You should see him when he's working on a project. He gets really into it."

"I bet he does," his brother replied with a laugh. "I hope you're not working him too hard, Luca. I can't have my brother turning into a workaholic again."

Ethan rolled his eyes, but the grin on his face showed he was enjoying the teasing. "I think I'm doing a good job of keeping it balanced."

The conversation flowed easily, but as the initial excitement began to fade, Luca noticed the underlying tension between him and Ethan's brother. There was something unspoken, an invisible line that Luca felt acutely aware of. It was as if he was being assessed, evaluated for his worthiness in Ethan's life.

Eventually, Ethan's brother leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "So, what's your story, Luca? How did you end up in the same orbit as my brother?"

Luca hesitated, feeling the weight of the question. "We met through work. I was brought on to help with a project, and things just… evolved from there," he said carefully, not wanting to reveal too much too soon.

"Evolved, huh?" Ethan's brother replied, his voice laced with skepticism. "Seems like more than just a work relationship then."

Before Luca could respond, Ethan chimed in, "Yeah, it's a bit complicated, but it works for us." He reached out, placing his hand on Luca's knee under the table. The gesture sent a rush of warmth through Luca, grounding him in the moment.

"I get it," Ethan's brother said, his expression softening. "Relationships can be complicated. Just make sure you take care of him, alright?" He glanced at Luca, a hint of seriousness in his tone. "Ethan can be a handful."

"I'll do my best," Luca promised, trying to inject some confidence into his voice.

Just then, their drinks arrived, breaking the tension. The moment felt lighter, and Ethan's brother seemed eager to shift back to the playful banter that had characterized the earlier part of their conversation.

As the afternoon wore on, Luca found himself laughing along with them, but a nagging sense of doubt still lingered in the back of his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being scrutinized, as if Ethan's brother was measuring him against some unseen standard.

When they finished their drinks, Ethan's brother leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. "It was great to meet you, Luca. I think you might be good for my brother."

"Thanks, I think," Luca replied, feeling a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety.

Ethan's brother stood up, stretching slightly. "I've got to run, but let's do this again sometime. You two take care of each other." With that, he waved goodbye and headed out, leaving Luca and Ethan alone at the table.

"See? That wasn't so bad!" Ethan said, looking genuinely pleased. "You handled that really well."

"Thanks," Luca replied, still processing the encounter. "He seems nice, but…"

"But?" Ethan prompted, tilting his head slightly.

"It just feels like there's a lot more beneath the surface," Luca admitted, his brow furrowing. "I can't shake the feeling that he's… judging me."

Ethan's expression softened, and he reached across the table, taking Luca's hand in his. "Don't worry about him. He's protective, but he just wants what's best for me. Just like I want what's best for you."

"Yeah, I get that," Luca said, squeezing Ethan's hand. "But it's still intimidating."

"I know. Just take it one step at a time," Ethan reassured him, a warm smile on his face. "Let's just focus on us for now."

As they left the café hand in hand, Luca couldn't help but feel a sense of optimism. Maybe things would be okay after all.

End of Chapter 107

To Be Continued...