Lia didn't say a word for the rest of the ride.
Her arms were wrapped around Lucas's waist, but her thoughts were miles away. His ex? Why would I care? He's just… helping me. And I'm helping him. That's all. But the ache in her chest didn't agree with that logic.
They reached a quiet, stylish café near the university. The place had a garden setup with wooden tables, hanging lights, and soft instrumental music playing in the background. Lucas parked his bike and helped Lia down without a word.
"You okay?" he asked, noticing her silence.
"I'm fine," she said, a bit too quickly.
They entered the café, and Lia's eyes immediately searching for Lucas's ex girlfriend. But she didn't found her.
Lucas takes her to their sit and pulls a chair for lia.
She looks around when the cafe door opens again . Lia stares at Lucas's ex girlfriend tassy as she walks in . The. Only thing comes to Lia's mind is 'damn , hot .'
As she walks towards them Lia shamelessly stares at he figure .
"This is Lia," Lucas said without hesitation, placing a gentle hand on Lia's back. "My girlfriend."
Lia almost choked on her own breath. Girlfriend?! That wasn't the plan!
She gave a stiff smile. "Hi…"
The girl extended a hand. "Hi, Lia. I'm Tassy I mean Taylor Shawn , but everyone just calls me tassy .
Lia shook it awkwardly.
Aria turned her gaze back to Lucas. "You move on fast. Impressive
Lucas gave a nonchalant shrug. "Told you I would."
Aria looked at Lia again, her eyes scanning her like she was trying to read every secret she might be hiding.
"So, how long have you two been…?" she asked, letting the question hang.
Lia opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
Lucas smoothly cut in, "Few months now. We met at a bookstoreq. She was too shy to talk to me, but she kept stealing glances, didn't you?"
Lia blinked, then realized Lucas was giving her a cue. She nodded slowly, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Yeah… I guess I did."
Aria smirked slightly, but her eyes sharpened. "That's cute. Didn't think you liked shy girls, Lucas."
Lia sat down, heart hammering in her chest. She had no idea if she was doing well or royally messing this up. Lucas sat beside her, casually draping his arm across the back of her chair.
Aria leaned in slightly. "So, Lia. What do you do?"
"I'm… I'm a student. Literature major."
"Oh, poetry and heartbreaks. Fitting," she said, stirring her drink.
Lia stiffened slightly.
Lucas glanced at her, his eyes softening. "She writes, too. She's got a sharp pen."
"Really?" tassy raised a brow. "Lucas used to hate poetry."
"He doesn't now," Lia said quietly, finally finding her voice. "He even read me Neruda last week."
Lucas looked at her in surprise. He hadn't, but her confidence made him smile. Not bad, Lia.
"Hmm," tassy hummed. "You've changed."
All credits goes to her" Lucas replied
That did it. Tassy's expression cracked for a split second. She smiled again, this time less genuinely. "Well, I should get going. It was nice meeting you, Lia."
"You too," Lia said, much more calmly now.
As Tassy walked away, she turned slightly. "Good luck, you two. Hope this one lasts."
"It will, forever."Lucas replied.
Lia waited until she was gone before letting out the breath she'd been holding.
Lucas turned to her with a small grin. "You were amazing."
"I nearly passed out!"
"But you didn't." He chuckled. "That Neruda line? Brilliant."
"I can't believe you called me your girlfriend."
He tilted his head playfully. "Was it that bad?"
Lia looked away, flustered. "It was… unexpected."
They sat in silence for a moment before Lucas spoke again, softer this time. "Thanks for doing that. I really needed it."
She nodded. "Why didn't you just tell her you moved on and didn't want to see her again?"
He shrugged. "Some people only believe what they see.
Lia looked at him then, really looked at him.
He looked at her for a long moment, then said, "Lunch?"
Lia nodded. "As long as you're not reading me poetry."
Lucas laughed. "No promises."
Lia waited and see Lucas ordering a lot.
Lia: that seems like a lot
Lucas : you didn't have breakfast.
Lia : (surprised) how'd you know?
Lucas : I can tell by your face .
Lia blushed unknowingly then excus herself to the washroom.
.