Chapter 8: Crashing at Luke’s Place

An Unexpected Guest

Later that evening, just as Iris was curled up on her couch with a book, her phone buzzed on the coffee table.

Luke: I'm outside. Open up, sunshine.

She frowned, staring at the message.

Iris: Outside where?

Luke: Outside your apartment. Open the door before I freeze to death.

Rolling her eyes, she set her book down and walked to the door, half-expecting him to be joking. But sure enough, when she peeked through the peephole, there he was, standing there with a smug grin and a plastic bag in hand.

Sighing, she swung the door open. "You really have no sense of personal space, do you?"

Luke pushed past her into the apartment without waiting for an invitation. "And yet, you keep letting me in."

Iris crossed her arms as he plopped onto her couch like he owned the place. "What do you want?"

Luke lifted the plastic bag. "Snacks. Company. Maybe a goodnight kiss if you're feeling generous."

She grabbed the nearest pillow and smacked him with it.

"Ah, domestic abuse," he said with a grin, catching the pillow before it hit his face again. "I must be special."

Iris sighed, flopping onto the couch next to him. "You're impossible."

Luke smirked. "And yet, here I am."

She rolled her eyes, reaching for the bag. "What did you bring?"

"Snacks, duh." He leaned back, stretching his arms over the couch. "Figured you'd be lonely."

Iris gave him a dry look. "I was enjoying my peace."

He placed a hand on his chest, feigning offense. "Are you saying I ruin your peace?"

She smirked. "You are my biggest headache."

Luke chuckled. "Good. I like keeping you on your toes."

A Dangerous Bet

Halfway through their movie, Luke shifted on the couch, turning to face her with a lazy grin.

"Let's make a bet."

Iris raised a brow. "Why do I feel like this is going to be stupid?"

Luke ignored her and grabbed the game controller from her coffee table. "One race. Winner gets to decide where the loser sleeps tonight."

She narrowed her eyes. "And by 'where,' you mean?"

Luke smirked. "If I win, you stay at my place."

Iris snorted. "And if I win?"

He leaned in slightly, voice dropping. "Then I'll stay here."

Her heart did an annoying little flip, but she kept her face neutral. "You're that desperate for sleepover privileges?"

Luke tilted his head. "No, I just like making you flustered."

She scoffed, snatching the controller from his hand. "You're on."

The race was intense. Luke was fast—infuriatingly fast—but Iris had been playing dirty. Just as he was about to cross the finish line, she nudged his bike off-course, sending him crashing into the side rail.

She threw her hands up. "Victory!"

Luke blinked at the screen. Then he turned to her, expression unreadable.

"You cheated," he muttered.

Iris grinned. "Nope. Just better than you."

Luke let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. Then, slowly, a smirk crept onto his face.

"Well, sunshine, looks like I'm staying here tonight."

Her smile dropped. "Wait, what?"

Luke stretched, making himself comfortable on her couch. "You agreed to the terms. The loser sleeps at the winner's place."

"That's not what—" She groaned. "You tricked me."

Luke placed a hand on his heart. "I would never."

She grabbed a pillow and launched it at his head. He caught it easily, laughing.

"Alright, fine," he said, standing up and grabbing her wrist. "You won, but let's go to my place anyway."

She scoffed. "Why would I do that?"

Luke leaned down, lips dangerously close to her ear. "Because you want to."

Iris swallowed. He was annoyingly good at this.

"…I hate you," she muttered.

He grinned. "That's not a no."

Late-Night Shenanigans at Luke's Place

Luke's apartment was exactly what she expected—sleek, modern, and somehow still cozy. His living room was filled with little personal touches—guitars leaning against the wall, stacks of books, and framed photos of his bandmates.

Iris hummed as she looked around. "So this is where all the chaos happens."

Luke smirked. "Impressed?"

She turned to him. "Surprised it's not a complete disaster."

Luke pouted. "You really have no faith in me, huh?"

She shrugged, plopping onto his couch. "I just assumed you'd have clothes everywhere."

Luke smirked. "Would you like to see my bedroom?"

Iris rolled her eyes. "You are so predictable."

Luke laughed, tossing a blanket at her. "Fine. But you are sleeping in my room."

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "You lost the bet."

Iris groaned. "I won the bet."

"Exactly. So you get the best sleeping arrangement—my bed."

She narrowed her eyes. "And where will you sleep?"

Luke grinned. "In my bed, obviously."

Her jaw dropped. "Luke—"

He held up his hands. "Relax. I won't bite. Unless you want me to."

She threw a cushion at him. "You are the worst."

Cuddles and Weaknesses

Later that night, Iris realized Luke took up a lot of space.

"Move over," she grumbled, pushing at his shoulder.

Luke groaned but shifted slightly, not enough for her comfort.

"More."

He cracked an eye open. "Demanding, aren't we?"

She shoved him again, and he finally rolled onto his side.

Silence settled between them, but it wasn't awkward. The dim city lights cast soft shadows across the room, and the steady rhythm of Luke's breathing almost lulled her to sleep.

Then, just as she was drifting off—

A tug.

She blinked as Luke's arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close.

Her breath hitched. "Luke?"

A sleepy hum. "You're warm."

She stiffened for a second before sighing. She should push him away. She should.

But she didn't.

Instead, she hesitated, then reached up and ran her fingers through his hair.

He let out a small, satisfied sigh, nuzzling closer.

Iris bit her lip, staring at the ceiling.

She was so doomed.