Taking a deep breath, I knock on the door to Luke's studio over the garage. The garage door was left open and I wonder if it was left that way on purpose. Trying not to read too much into it, I wait for Luke to answer the door.

"Dylan?" His eyes are wide when the door finally swings open, but he composes himself quickly. "Couldn't turn me down, could you, Pickle?"

"Don't make me change my mind." I warn him, doing my best to stay only somewhat sarcastic.

If what Grams said is true and Luke really is improving my mood, maybe he deserves to see some of that, instead of the cold shoulder I've been giving him for so long. I can at least try, and see if it sticks.

"If you still need some convincing," Luke smirks, closing the door behind us, "I'd be happy to oblige."

My lower belly stirs. Standing in the middle of his room, seeing him there, his thermal shirt with his sleeves pushed up to the elbow, his sweatpants that hang just right around his hips, the messy bedhead framing his strong jaw, I almost take him up on his offer.

Almost.

"That's not why I'm here," I shake my head, shifting from foot to foot awkwardly, wishing it was as easy as sleeping with him and just glossing over everything else.

"Oh," He shrugs casually, sitting on his sofa and patting the spot next to him. "That's a shame, Dyl, because I really would've liked the chance to convince you."

Blush spreads hot across my cheeks. I'm sure I really would've liked it, too. Maybe...

No. I shake my head to myself, wordless as I try to sort out exactly what I want to say.

"So why are you here, if not to make use of my skills?" His hazel-green eyes twinkle deviously and I know how much he's enjoying teasing me. For the first time in awhile, I let him.

"Your skills aside," I roll my eyes, "I wanted to talk to you."

"About?" He murmurs, leaning forward as his arm rests across the top of the sofa, behind my head. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, electricity rushing over my skin at his proximity.

"Well," I stammer, trying to focus. "I am accepting your invitation to the cookout, if you still want me to come, that is."

"I do still want you." His voice is low and the look in his eyes makes my heart erratic. I stumble for words again and he chuckles, knowing exactly what he's doing. "To come, I mean."

I let out a breath only for Luke to take it away again.

"To the cookout," His gaze drops to my mouth, "And for me, but we can get to that later."

I close my eyes, using every last brain cell to remain calm and not tear his clothes off his body.

"Luke,"

"Dylan?" His fingers weave through the ends of my hair, making it even harder to concentrate.

When I open my eyes again, his face is right there, his lips so close that I can almost taste them.

And if I'm being honest with myself, I want to. So badly. But not before I say what I came to say.

I grab his thick wrist and place his hand carefully in his own lap. He tries to hide his grin, eyes widening innocently.

"I know I've been back and forth a lot." Emotional whiplash, I think he called it. "It's just that this town... It makes me feel too much. I'm just so sad and angry, and I know I've directed a lot of that at you."

Luke's brows furrow, his expression turning more serious as I go on.

"I'm not really sure, but I feel like no matter what happened that night... I don't think Casey would've wanted me to stay mad forever."

"Dylan,"

"Luke, please?" I squeeze his hand and he doesn't protest. "I don't think he'd want me icing you out for the rest of our lives. I mean, you were his best friend," I feel his fingers squeeze tighter, "And he loved you, Luke. I think no matter what."

His eyes meet mine and I notice a tear fall down his cheek. I brush it away with my thumb and shrug.

"So I think if seeing you, hanging out with you again, makes me feel better..." I let out a sigh it feels like I've been holding forever, "I think he would be okay with that."

Luke searches my face, for what, I'm not sure, but suddenly pulls me tightly to his chest. Holding me there, cradling my head into his neck, he plants tender kisses to my hair, silent for a few minutes.

Then, right before he releases me, I hear him say just one thing: "Thank you."

Kissing the delicate skin of his neck once, I nod my head, before straightening up and giving him a playful eye roll.

"Don't thank me yet," I shove his arm, trying to lighten the mood so I won't cry myself, "I'm secretly only here for your 'skills,' anyways."

"Oh," Luke throws his head back in mock disbelief, once again the troublemaker. "Well in that case, you better get your ass over here, Dylan Grace."

My full name sounds so good from his mouth that I do as I'm told without question, climbing into his lap and wrapping my legs around his waist. Knotting my fingers in his hair, I lean my forehead against his.

"Now what?" I breathe, my lips practically moving against his as I speak.

"Well," Luke peppers my neck with little kisses between his words, his tongue leaving a red hot trail across my skin. "I've shown you what I learned over the years." He bites the skin over my collarbone gently, making me suck in a ragged breath. "Now I think it's your turn to show me."

His erection strains against his sweatpants, rubbing against the crotch of my shorts as if in agreement.

"I can do that," I nod, slowly removing myself from his lap.

"I bet you can." He smirks, one sexy dimple deepening as he leans back in the sofa, arms outstretched to the sides, and looks me up and down. The hard bulge in his sweats stands at attention, nearly making my mouth water.

Focusing on that, I drop to my knees, pulling my hair back into a low ponytail. Luke sucks in an audible breath and I smirk to myself, creeping forward until I'm kneeling between his thighs.

"Are you ready, Luke?" I whisper, peering up at him from beneath my lashes and wetting my lips with my tongue. I don't wait for him to answer, already stroking him through the fabric of his pants. His hips press forward, thrusting himself into my hands, and I take that as my answer.

Slowly pulling his waistband down and freeing his full length in front of me, I lean in close, so the words, the same ones he used against me, send my breath over the tip of his dick.

"You better be. Because this will be so good you won't be able to forget it."

Okay I lied... had to split the chapter into 3 parts so stay tuned for another chapter soon😅
This seemed like a good stopping point before we get back into it!
So who's glad Dylan seems to be getting through her baggage with Luke?
Predictions for the cookout?