Now that I’ve finally pieced together what’s happening, I have one main question. Did Lukas plan this? Because if he did, he might actually be some kind of evil genius. And if he didn’t? Then I imagine he’s just as horrified as I am by how this situation has spiraled, no matter how conveniently it’s played into our investigation. Either way, being hit on non stop by this sleazebag is starting to wear thin. His persistence is getting annoying fast, and I can’t help but wonder, what’s he going to do if he decides to escalate things? The thought is enough to make my skin crawl. Under the table, I reach for Lukas’s hand and grip it tightly.
*Have you learned anything we can actually use? I ask through our mental link. Because if so, can we PLEASE leave now? Actually… even if you haven’t, I’m pretty much ready to go. Or at least ready to kick this guy to the curb.* I tell him. Lukas doesn’t hesitate. The second I tell him I want to leave, he squeezes my hand and gives me the tiniest nod. Like he’s been waiting for me to say the word. I exhale in relief. Then he glances at the sleazy guy and raises an eyebrow. It’s subtle, but I immediately understand what he’s asking. ‘What do you want to do about him?’ He has a point. After everything that’s happened, if we just walk off, I have a feeling this guy will follow. He needs to believe, without question, that he’s lost. I COULD just turn and leave, but that would make Lukas look just as bad in this weird, unspoken power struggle. Besides, considering how beyond creepy this guy has been, it might be a little satisfying to let Lukas win, to let him crush this guy’s overinflated ego just a little.
*Go on then.* I tell Lukas mentally, already bracing myself for whatever nonsense he’s about to pull.
*Win this stupid pissing contest. Just know that if you embarrass me, I will make you suffer for it later.* I warn. Lukas clears his throat loudly and, without warning, tugs me up by my hand so I’m standing.
“Well.” He starts, voice just a little too loud.
“It’s getting fairly late. Are you ready to go home?” He directs the question at me. Sleazy guy frowns, clearly not expecting that.
“It’s not that late.” He counters, shifting his weight towards me. His tone is overly casual, but there’s an underlying sharpness to it, like he actually believes he has some say in this decision. He turns his focus on me, offering his most charming smile.
“Ari’s having fun here, aren’t you, sweetheart? Why don’t you stick around a little longer? Your friend can leave, and I’ll give you a ride home later.” He says firmly. His confidence is genuinely baffling. It’s not just the words, it’s the way he says them, like it hasn’t even occurred to him that I might say no. Like he expects me to accept his offer, no questions asked. Ugh. Gross. Lukas, however, just smirks. And that’s when I know he’s about to say something to make his point.
“But that would be such a waste of effort.” Lukas muses, tilting his head slightly.
“If she stays out too late, she’s just going to wake me when she comes to bed.” He says pointedly.
I fight the urge to groan. Are you kidding me right now? The sleazy guy blinks. His brow furrows slightly.
“Huh?” He asks, like his brain has short circuited. Lukas shrugs, completely unfazed.
“Well, we do live together, after all.” He says smoothly, before turning his head to me.
“Isn’t that right?” He asks with a smirk. I shoot him a look. Technically… Technically, we do live together right now. Not that either of us planned it that way. But it’s not like we’re going to break character now. Still, couldn’t he have said something that was… Less true? Still, I plaster on a bright smile, keeping up the role I’ve been playing all night.
“Yeah, we do.” I chirp, voice light and cheerful. Sleazy guy stares at me, like the math isn’t mathing for him. Lukas doesn’t even give him time to process. He just smirks, squeezing my hand a little tighter.
“Then let’s get going.” He makes extra eye contact with the guy as he says it. I suspect that he might be enjoying this a little bit. I stand up fully, and Lukas immediately offers me his arm. I take it, hooking my arm through his. I flash the sleazy guy one last overly sweet smile.
“Thanks for showing me how you play cards.” I say in my most innocent, grateful tone, lifting my fingers in a small wave. His face? Priceless. He looks completely thrown, like it genuinely didn’t occur to him that all of his brilliant attempts at seduction failed. His brow furrows, his lips part slightly, and for a moment, he just stares, like he can’t compute what just happened. I really don’t see why he’s so shocked. Even if I DIDN’T already know Lukas, he’d still be the better choice. I mean, LOOK at him. Dark hair. Blue eyes. Sharp jawline. The guy is unfairly attractive. And he’s wearing the pink tie… That helps, too. Either way, he is leagues above sleazy guy. I mean, it’s not even a competition. As we walk toward the exit I notice a hint of a smile on Lukas’s face. Well I assume he is unintentionally eavesdropping on my mental rambling. I let out a sigh.
*Don’t go getting a big head. I’m just tired and ready to go home. Besides, you read minds. You already know I think you’re pretty. You’re supposed to ignore my inappropriate thoughts.* I add, narrowing my eyes slightly. Lukas smirks. Then, suddenly, he stops walking. Before I can react, he slides his hands around my waist, pulling me just a little closer. His lips brush against my ear as he leans in to whisper in my ear.
“Don’t worry about it.” His voice is low, amused, and infuriatingly smug.
“You’re in my inappropriate thoughts too.”
My jaw drops. Lukas, calm, smug, completely unbothered Lukas, just presses a kiss to my cheek like it’s nothing. Like it is just a casual, everyday thing he does all the time. Before I can so much as process it, he pulls away, laces his fingers through mine, and starts swinging our arms as he leads me toward the exit. Like he’s having the best night of his life. He’s cheerful. Practically radiating amusement. I, on the other hand, am struggling with the overwhelming urge to yell at him for something. I just don’t know what. Because technically, he hasn’t done anything wrong. He didn’t actually lie about anything. He didn’t even embarrass me, at least, not in a way that matters. But still. Ugh. Since I have no real argument to stand on, I settle for passive aggressive mental grumbling.
*Stupid Lukas. I hate you and your dumb voice and your stupid muscles and your pretty face.* Lukas just keeps walking, his smile plastered to his face. He can hear every word and is delighted by it. I glare at him, but he doesn’t acknowledge it. He just swings our hands again, squeezing mine slightly like he’s daring me to get mad about it. I want to be mad. I really do. But instead, I end up laughing, because as we step out through the casino doors and pass the bouncer…
“ACHOO!” The guy sneezes violently, doubling over just like before. Lukas and I don’t even try to contain it. We both burst out laughing all over again. Lukas slings an arm around my shoulders, pulling me in close as we walk.
“Who would’ve thought investigating could be this funny?” He says, his voice warm with laughter. I shake my head, grinning despite myself.
“Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, Daniel.” I mutter, but I don’t pull away. Because as much as I hate to admit it, tonight WAS kind of fun. Not the part where I was hit on by a creep, but dressing up and hanging out with Lukas? That isn’t bad at all.