Page 2 (1/2)

With a sigh, I watch him walk off with an essential piece of my outfit “Why do you always have to be such an ass?”

“Yeah, Luca, why are you such an ass?”

His older brother, Liam, suddenly pokes his head out froe as Jasmine, just a few years older thandark locks of hair He watches us with a sh he finds it all super funny like Luca

We’ve been playing in the yard while our parents were busy talking, and for some reason, they wanted Liam to stay inside while ere shooed outside But now that he’s finally joining us, maybe Luca won’t act like such a stupid kid

“Hey, Jas broadly, but Jasmine just looks away, completely embarrassed

“Really?” Luca yells at Lia a rock “No one asked you to meddle, Liam”

“What did he do this ti his brother

“Jas dress-up, and then Luca stole my crown,” I respond

He smiles at me and then waves at Luca “Give it back to her, Luca”

I s my hair behind my ear “Thank you”

Liaer brother, Luca I can’t stand that annoying kid I her, and I don’t knohy, but I don’t care either

Luca ignores hi around that stick like it’s a sword or so

Liaainst his face “Luca!”

Luca throws hiered look

“Mom and Dad won’t like this”

Luca pauses for a moment and then chucks the stick far away He walks toward us but pauses halfway through the grass … only to snatch the crown off his own head and send it hurtling through the air The crown lands only a few inches away from my feet

Luca’s arms span wide “Happy now?”

Lianals him with his hand, and I say another, “Thanks,” in his direction

“Oh, I don’t get a thanks?” Luca scoffs, raising his brow

I stick out ue at him

“Don’t worry about it,” Lia not one but three pats before he walks up to his brother “I’ll go play with him”

I can still feel the gentle touch of his hand seconds later even though he’s probably already forgotten But I remember I remember every instant Every touch Every smile

And every a moment ruined by Luca De Vos

Because all I want is his brother

And all Luca wants is to tease me

“Jasmine, Jill!”

My mother’s voice makes me turn my head