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I raised one eyebrow at the repeating a year comment He obviously didn’t lish, mathereed She handedthey contained his locker cos "I’ll just meet him at the front door then, the same as usual?" I’d done a lot of these initiations Usually I just got the new people settled, ate lunch with them for a couple of days until they found their feet, and then they went off to do their own thing with friends they’d ain"

I headed out of the office, folding the papers and pushing the to class quickly

The next couple of days passed quickly; luckily Luke didn’t get caught staying over that night The only ones we really had to worry about catching us were my parents, because his were hardly ever home He actually had a better relationship with his housekeeper than he did with his parents The Hannigans had their own pharmaceutical company that they were both CEOs of, so they travelled a lot Luke was, therefore, very lonely, though he never admitted it He liked to spend as much time at mine and aroundthat he would move into h not soon enough in s excitedly Luke cae of ca in squalor tonight He had a six man tent with different sections for bedroo in, and it even had a canopy outside so you could sit under cover if you wanted to Luke liked to ca he did with his dad when he was little, that was, of course, before Mr Hannigan started to get too busy to spend time with his son

"Hey there, baby, are you all packed?" he asked as I walked down the stairs withhim over He looked extremely handsome today in loose fitted jeans and a plain fitted white T-shirt Today was going to be a good day, but tonight would be even better because I’d get to lounge around a caot everything? We’ll stop at the store and buy food, right?" I asked,The only things I had to bring, according to Luke, were my clothes and my flirty set going before your brother or dad start to lecturequietly to hie and frowned "You guys all done? Luke, can I have a quick word?"

"Too late for a discreet exit," I whispered, squeezing his hand gently

He laughed and kissedmy dad into the kitchen I felt so sorry for Luke; he undoubtedly loved uys in my family and never once complained I flopped down next to my mom on the sofa "Can’t you rein dad in a little? Surely he knows Luke well enough by now that he doesn’t have to give hiht?" I asked, resting my head on her shoulder

She stroked the side of my head "You knohat your dad’s like Overprotective Drives me crazy sometimes too, but it’s part of his personality, Alex has it too, so I’ to herself

I sighed and nodded "Lucky Luke’s so awesoreat," she agreed "And ashim and stuff, he likes hihing together, so whatever talk they had obviously ell "Are we ready to go now?" I asked, looking at Luke pleadingly I really wanted to leave already, it would take us two hours to drive up to the place he wanted to camp near the lake, and we needed to stop for food, then it would take hi that too late; I wanted to start the fun already

My dad nodded, grippingoff on your own, you stay with Luke And if you see a bear, as long as you run faster than your quarterback you’ll be fine" He leant in conspiratorially as he continued, "Maybe trip hied hi else he could lecture us on "I will do Say bye to Alex forer than necessary He sentleh, jock exterior He was different when he was around his friends, still adorable to ot loud and soht annoying, but thankfully he didn’t drink terribly often

My parents followed us out to Luke’s Jeep, relaying instructions about safety in the water, being careful in the woods, and calling home e arrived so they would knoere safe When we finally pulled out of the drive I sighed and settled down into ht hours of his co to be bliss

Chapter 3

The ca trip was incredible, the same as it alhen I went aith Luke He pulled out all the stops, turning what could have been a boring ca ro s’ The moon had been full and reflected on the lake that we’d set up camp next too It was so peaceful that it was like paradise Later, he’d cuddled up next tohow much he loved me and how he planned for us to buy a summer place on the lake so that we could visit at weekends He’d painted a beautiful picture of hoould swiet a boat so he could teach our kids how to fish like his father had taught hi It was the most special moment of my life, and I would remember it forever