Chapter 6
Ella watched through the take-out window as Lucas made his way across the wood planks. It figured. The first guy she was genuinely interested in since god knows how long, and he was completely off-limits. Of all the buses and all the people in the world and he just happened to get on hers. He could’ve gotten off that bus and went to so many other places yet here he was in Willow Cove. Joe Prescott’s grandson. If she only knew who he was…
If his story had clicked in her mind, but she honestly didn’t think Joe had any grandchildren.
The disappointment in Lucas’ blue eyes stung in a way she didn’t expect. They barely knew each other, but between the bus ride and their late-night text session, she felt like she knew him better than any guy she’d ever dated.
He was honest and didn’t hide behind lies to make himself look good. He exposed the dark secret of his family past, without hesitation. She didn’t think guys like that existed anymore and he’d renewed her faith… until today. If she’d only had asked him for his last name, they could have saved themselves the trouble.
She was an adult and could do as she pleased without her family’s permission, but she also respected them. The Morettis and the Prescotts had been rivals for years, to the point that the townspeople had to declare sides when choosing where to eat. Was it ridiculous? Absolutely. A feud started back in the late sixties over who opened their doors first and whose lobster roll was better, but as ridiculous as it all was, it was also the reality.
Morettis and Prescotts were the modern-day version of the Montagues and Capulets. If she and Lucas pursued anything, it would only end in heartbreak. Their families would never stop fighting, she’d been trying to end the feud for years, and she and Lucas would just become fodder the two men threw back and forth. That was a situation—no matter how good-looking and sweet Lucas was—she had no desire to get involved in.
“How do you know that boy?” her grandfather asked, his accent heavy with disgust.
She turned from the window. “We met on the bus ride home last night.”
“You stay away from him. Prescotts are trouble.”
She closed her eyes, trying to let the disappointment pass before she spoke. When she opened her eyes, her grandfather’s attention was fixated on her. She offered a smile to appease him. “Don’t worry. Now that I know who he is, I have nothing left to say to him.”
“Good girl,” he said, walking toward her with open arms. She stepped into his embrace, and he smacked a loud kiss on her cheek. “Now do me a favor and take this delivery to Wilson. His wife had chemo today, and I’m sure they both could use a little something to eat.”
Despite his earlier antics, her grandfather was a good man who looked out for the people he loved. Wilson and his wife were practically family, and Ella had known them since birth. She hated that they were going through such a hard time but was happy she and her grandfather could find little ways to help them out.
“I don’t have my bike,” she said, remembering Marco made her leave it behind yesterday.
“It’s in the bed of my truck,” Enzo said as he walked in. His tall frame dominated the small space. He was the tallest of the Moretti men, making people wonder if he was actually related to them, but he got his height from their mother’s side. Her father had been six-four. He also got her blue eyes.
His thick, dark brown hair was swept back showing the textures of his natural waves. Dark stubble dotted the hard lines around his jaw and mouth. He was stylish without any effort, and Ella always told him he could have been a model which he laughed at. He’d prefer to throw back a few beers and watch football than pose for a camera.
“Thanks,” Ella said. “I wasn’t going to bother you until later.”
“I had to drop something off at Marco’s anyway. Figured I’d kill two birds with one stone.”
“I guess I can make that delivery after all,” she said, taking the bag from her grandfather.
“I’ll walk you out,” Enzo said.
If he was following her, it meant only one thing; Marco told him about her mystery guy.
“Save the lecture,” Ella said as they walked outside.
“Who said anything about a lecture?”
Ella tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. “If they gave degrees in lectures you’d be out of wall space to display them.”
“Look, I want to make sure you’re okay. I know after you go see him it can be a little rough on you.” His blue eyes took her in, softening beneath the midday sun.
“I’m okay,” she assured him.
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know why you subject yourself to that shit.”
“Because he’s our dad, Enz.”
“He stopped being our father the minute he disgraced the family name.”
“Maybe for you. And I had enough of this conversation with Marco, so let’s move on.”
They continued walking down the boardwalk to the parking lot where Enzo’s truck was. Enzo was quiet which wasn’t like him at all, and Ella assumed he was waiting for a moment to pry.
Finally, he swung his gaze to her. “Marco told me you met a guy on the bus.”
“And there we go,” she announced.
Enzo laughed. “I’m looking out for you.”
“I know you are, but trust me, you don’t have to.”
“You’re my baby sister. Of course I do.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She shook her head, still not fully able to comprehend it all. “It’s over.”
“That was fast. Was he an asshole?” Enzo stabbed two fingers into his chest. “Do I have to kick his ass?”
“Not an asshole. He’s actually a pretty great guy.”
Confusion flashed across Enzo’s features. “Then what’s the problem?”
“He has the wrong last name.”
Enzo’s dark brow curved upward. “I don’t get it.”
“Turns out he’s Joe Prescott’s grandson.”
Enzo’s eyes widened in amusement, his lips curving up a little too much. “You’re shitting me?”
“Do I look like I’m shitting you?”
Enzo laughed, and Ella punched him in his stomach which felt like hitting a brick wall. She shook her hand out. “It’s not funny.”
“Oh, that’s where you’re wrong, it’s freaking hilarious.”
“Are you done?” she asked.
“Not even close.”
“Laugh all you want, but I have a delivery to make.”
“Why don’t you take the truck?” Enzo said, fishing his keys out of his pocket.
She shook her head. “After my morning, I could use the fresh air.”
“Suit yourself. Just be careful.”
If Enzo had his way she’d be not only wearing a helmet but knee pads and elbow pads, possibly wrapped in bubble wrap as well.
“I always am.”
“And stay clear of that guy. You might think he’s good, but if he’s related to Joe, he can’t be all that good.”
She placed the bag of food in her front basket then kicked her leg over the seat. She turned in the direction she needed to go and gave Enzo a wave as she passed.
He called out to her, “It’s better this way!”
His words got lost to the cool breeze as she pedaled faster. Better or not, it still felt like the world was playing a cruel joke on her.
She passed the first strip of buildings, and as she was about to pass over the cobblestone street she heard her name. She hit the brakes and turned her head only to see Lucas jogging after her. He moved with effortless grace as if a fast-paced jog was nothing more than a leisurely walk.
“I told you to leave me alone,” she said as he came to a stop in front of her bike, the words burning her throat as they came out.
“No, you told me to go back to my side of the boardwalk, which I did, but now there’s no boardwalk, so you can’t draw any lines on me.”
“I don’t know what you want from me.”
“I want you to forget about our last names for a second.”
“It’s not that easy.” If it was, she wouldn’t have dismissed him the way she did. She would have tossed her arms around him and laughed about how small the world really was.
“Yes, it is,” he said.
“No, it’s not. You’ve been here for what? A day? You have no idea what it’s like between our grandfathers. They despise the ground the other walks on. It’s not just some silly feud that started yesterday. This rivalry, the hatred, started decades ago and it’s only grown since.”
“We’re both adults here,” Lucas said, obviously trying to level with her.
“I know that but—”
“Hey.” He rested his hand on hers, and warmth shot through her arm, a trail of goosebumps following and happily popping up along the way. She met his gaze—bright gorgeous blue that she knew if she’d let herself, she could get lost in. “Just one date. No one needs to know about it. But just like yesterday, when I got off that bus and I asked you out for coffee before you turned me down—”
“I had to get home.”
“I know. But I knew then if I didn’t ask you out I would regret it, and I know right now if we don’t at least give this a shot I won’t just regret it; I’ll forever wonder what could’ve been.”
“If my grandfather finds out… Even my brothers…”
“No one has to know. Not yet. It’s just me and you. Let’s find out if this thing between us could be something, then we’ll worry. Until then, I’m just asking for a cup of coffee.”
It seemed innocent enough. And she couldn’t help but agree with him. If she didn’t give this a chance, she’d always wonder. The spark that she felt, the unexplainable excitement that ripped through her stomach every time his name flashed on her phone, it wasn’t something she could let go. Like he said, not yet at least.
“Fine,” she said. “We can have coffee together.”
His eyes lit up, a cute smile pulling wide across his handsome face. “Really?”
“But we can’t be seen. I can’t risk my family finding out. Or your grandfather for that matter.”
“So what do you suggest?”
“Meet me at the beach by the lighthouse at six o’clock.”
“The lighthouse?” he asked.
“I’m sure you can find it. Big building at the end of the cove. Has a light on it.”
He laughed. “Smartass. I’ll be there.”
“Good, it’s a ten-minute walk from here.”
His eyes twinkled with amusement. “I think I can handle that. You sure it’s safe.”
“Yeah,” she said. “Not many locals hang out that close to the lighthouse.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then.”
“And by the way,” she said, “I take my coffee with a splash of half and half and a sprinkle of cinnamon.”
She gave him a wink and rode away, hoping she didn’t make a big mistake.