Big City Crush (Pink Springs 3)

She hesitates for only a second before she wraps her full lips around the soft, fluffy cake and then closes her eyes. I picture her on her back with me on top of her. What would she look like with her mouth full of me?

“Fuck,” I whisper to myself so quietly she doesn’t hear it.

“Oh, it’s something completely different,” she says as her eyes pop open in surprise. “Try it.”

She takes the fork from me and without thinking feeds me a bite because she’s so excited for me to taste it. Why am I so hung up on everything about this woman whom I know nothing about? How has she captivated every inch of me with just her presence?

I take a bite and realize she’s right. “Wow, it’s passion fruit and something else. Is that pineapple?”

“So, what does this mean? Are they in trouble?” Before I can answer, she’s cutting off another bite for herself and eating it.

“I don’t know, most of the time I’m full of shit.”

She has to cover her mouth to keep from spitting cake on me as she laughs. The sight of her genuine pleasure makes me so damn happy that I start to laugh.

“So you’re Selma,” I finally say and then take a bite of cake.

“And you’re Luca, the brother who almost missed his sister's wedding.” She raises a brow at me, and I have a feeling she does that a lot.

“And yet I made it right on time.”

“I hear you travel a lot.”

“I do, but I’d never miss this. It’s Lux’s big day, and I’d never miss out on cake.”

“She said you were the fun one.”

“Have you met Cooper? It’s not really hard to outshine that surly bear.”

She laughs, and this time I get to see her smile. Fuck, she’s gorgeous.

“Hey Selma, they’re ready for you,” Juno says from the doorway, interrupting our moment.

“Be right there,” Selma says and then turns to look at me as she stands up. “Thanks for the cake.”

I want to pull her back down on the bench or even into my lap. But all I can do is sit there while she walks away and plan how to get her alone once more.

3

Selma

“You okay?” Juno asks as we make our way back inside.

“I’m fine.”

“Fine, you say?” She fights a teasing smile. “That blush says otherwise.”

I put my hands on my warm cheeks, trying to get it to go away. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Don’t worry about it.” Juno rolls her eyes. “Luca is smooth. He could get a statue to blush if he wanted to. He could probably talk anyone into just about anything.”

I have to force a laugh, not really liking the sound of that. It might be terrible of me to think, but when someone is a smooth talker, I always think they’re up to no good

“He was introducing himself. We hadn't gotten to formally meet.”

“Damn, I suppose you haven't. The man can’t sit still to save his life.”

“He seems driven.” I might have done a small Google search on him with my phone.

He’s come a long way in a short amount of time, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed. That kind of determination reminds me a lot of my brother. I hope he doesn't let that drive suck the life out of him and he forgets some things are more important than money. I’m thankful Lux came along and reminded Bastian of that.

“That he is,” Juno agrees.

Bastian is standing on the edge of the dance floor waiting for me. “Can I have this dance?”

He holds his hand out for me, and I take it, and we walk hand in hand onto the dance floor. He spins me around a few times before doing a dramatic dip that has me laughing right before he pulls me back up.

“I wish Mom were here,” I blurt out. “She’d be so damn proud of you.” Bastian’s done everything he set out to do and so much more, she would truly be bursting with pride at this very moment.

“It’s because of Mom we’re here.”

I nod and smile as I try and hold back the tears. “Are you going to make me an aunt soon? I need to be prepared. I think Juno is going to try and give me a run for my money on being the favorite aunt.”

“I wouldn't worry about it. Selma, you always get whatever you’re working toward.”

“I got that from you.”

Bastian has been there for me in a big way, and I wish I could have done the same for him. I was young and lost in my grief after our mom died. He had to shoulder it alone and take care of me, and looking back, I didn’t always make it easy.

He spins me again, and this time he releases my hand as Luca wraps his arm around my waist. Before I know what’s happening, I’m in Luca’s arms, and he’s taking over the dance.