Love, Lucas by Chantele Sedgwick Page A

my face, take a quick glance in the mirror next to me, decide nothing will help, and open the door. “Hey,” I say.
    “Hi.”
    “Sneaking into Jo’s backyard now?”
    He grimaces. “Sorry about that. I should get your number so I can text you.”
    “No worries. What’s up?”
    “I know it’s late, but I saw your light on and wondered if you wanted to go for a walk with me.” He swallows and his lips part slightly.
    It is late. But it’s also really tempting to leave. A hot guy sneaking out just to hang out with me? Like I’m not going to go. “Let me grab a jacket or something. You can come in.”
    He steps inside and looks around. His eyes go to the pictures on the wall above my headboard. “Wow. You really do take awesome pictures.”
    I shrug. “Not really.”
    He eyes me with a strange expression. “No. Really.” He walks over to my bed and inspects them. “I recognize this guy,” he says. His expression is strange. He’s smiling but looks a little annoyed.
    “Yes, that’s Dillon. But I have a bunch of other surfers on there too.” I’m not sure why I say that. I doubt he’s jealous or anything but I find myself wanting to make sure he doesn’t think my focus is ever on Dillon on purpose.
    He laughs. “These are really good. You should sell some of them to a magazine or something.”
    I laugh and grab a hoodie out of the closet. “Trust me. No one would want those.”
    When I turn around, he’s right in front of me. He stares down at me with a frown on his face. “You don’t give yourself enough credit,” he says. “Why can’t you just say thank you when someone compliments you?”
    I’m not sure what to say, but I do know I’m staring. His gaze is unflinching and serious but I can see a hint of a smile as well. “I—uh—thanks. I guess.” I avoid his eyes and step around him. “You ready to go?”
    “Do you have to let your mom know where we’re going?”
    “She doesn’t care.” I slide on my flip-flops and walk out the door. He follows me and shuts it softly behind him. It’s dark but we head down to the beach anyway. There are some lights on the boardwalk, so we can at least see a little bit. I slip on my hoodie. It’s not too cold but I feel more snug in it. “So, where’re we going?” I ask.
    He shrugs. “I just like the beach at night. It’s not as . . . eventful as it is during the day. No people running around splashing in the water. It’s nice. Relaxing.”
    “Makes sense.”
    We walk in comfortable silence as I kick the cold sand and smile. I haven’t felt this calm for a while. I attempt to keep my worries and thoughts of Lucas away for a moment and just think of the beautiful place I’m living. Carson’s right. It’s much more relaxing at night.
    We keep walking and I glance up. The lights on Huntington Pier grow bright as we get closer and I can hear the waves crashing into it as well. “This is such a pretty place,” I say.
    “It is. Why don’t you tell me what your place is like?”
    “Utah?”
    He nods. “I’ve never been.”
    “It’s not as cool as here. Lots of mountains, grass, a lot of snow in the winter.”
    “I may take you up on having your dad ship you some snow.”
    “Trust me. It’s nice to look at but it gets old quick. And it’s so cold. I’m not a fan of the cold.”
    “You chose the wrong place to live then.” He chuckles.
    “My parents chose the wrong place to live.” I smile. “But it’s home, I guess.”
    “Maybe I can convince you to stay here longer. Since you can’t stand the cold and all.”
    “I do enjoy warm weather.” I laugh. “I sound like I’m fifty.”
    “You don’t look it.” His fingers brush my hand and before I know it, they’re entwined with mine. He looks over and gives me a small smile. “Is this okay?”
    I smile a little too and nod. His hand warms mine and I can’t help but notice how well they fit together. Which is stupid. I’m sure all hands fit together the same. I think