31 Do You Like It As Much As I Do?

On days she didn't have to open up the bakery, Sophia turned off her alarm and slept until her heart's content. 

Considering she didn't sleep much the night before, it was nice to be able to lay there for a while. Sleep wouldn't come to her again since she couldn't get the night before out of her thoughts. 

How insane was she to have pursued him first? He had clearly come to her room to talk but instead, she left him wanting more than what she could give him. 

Sophia sat up completely when she heard the shower turn on in the bathroom connecting their rooms and she instantly felt bad. Conflicting thoughts struck her and she wondered if she would be able to give herself to him in the way that she really wanted to. 

She would like to kiss the way they did the night before but she feared she was leading him on by doing that. The way he looked at her so desperately after she asked him to stop made her realize just how badly he wanted her. 

Even after one day, the fear of disappointing him was at an all-time high. 

When the shower turned off, Sophia realized that it was her turn to start moving. She had to take Luca to the hospital to get his staples out anyway. They also said the neurologist would be talking to him again about future therapies for his memory if nothing had changed. 

Before she could step into the bathroom when she was sure he was out, she paused at the door and slumped. 

She felt ridiculous for kissing him knowing full well she would have to face him that day and help him with his hospital appointments. She could just leave him to deal with it himself but she didn't want to. 

As she started to finally get into the shower and get ready for the day, she constantly agonized if he was going to treat her differently. Maybe he would be mad at her. She wouldn't even be able to blame him because it was her who led him on. 

Feeling refreshed after doing her hair and light makeup, she stepped back into her room to get dressed and settled on a grey long-sleeve knitted crop top and baggy light blue jeans. She couldn't be bothered to put even more effort into her clothing considering it was her day off. 

Even though she was dreading going downstairs and seeing Luca, she realized she shouldn't take too long or he would certainly realize she was avoiding him. 

However, when she made it to the bottom of the stairs, she was confused when the house was empty. Ethan was certainly working and, when she walked by Luca's room, the door was open and he wasn't in there. 

As she walked around her kitchen, confused as to where everyone could be, she heard the front door open and she jumped at the sight of Luca coming into her house. 

He had taken her key - as seen by the cute floral keychain attached to it. What piqued her curiosity the most was the cardboard drink holder with two drinks inside of it and the paper bag he carried with him. 

Relief was seen on Luca's face when he saw Sophia. 

Since his hands were full, he nudged the door shut with his foot. 

"Good morning, Sophia. I got us breakfast with some of my tip money," he said. 

Sophia's eyebrows raised and she rushed forward to relieve him of some of the items he carried. 

"You didn't have to do that," she insisted, but she couldn't help the smile at his kind gesture. "I do appreciate it though. Thank you." 

When she took the paper bag from him, she opened it to see what was inside. 

There were two breakfast sandwiches and two yogurt parfaits covered in strawberries. 

"I wasn't sure what you would like to eat this morning," he explained. "Whatever you don't eat, I'll eat the rest." 

On the sticker of each one of the items was the name of a cafe that wasn't known for being cheap but it was delicious. The smile remained on her face. She wondered if he even knew the prices were high or if he was simply that kind. 

They brought the food to the counter and sat next to one another on the bar stools that tucked perfectly underneath the overhang. 

Luca handed her one of the iced americanos and he took a sip of his own before waiting to see what Sophia would decide to eat. 

Since she was more of a sweets person in the morning, she took one of the parfaits. 

From the first bite, Sophia was amazed at how delicious and fresh the food was. She served parfaits in her bakery so it was hard to wrap her mind around her competition being delicious but even she could admit when someone was doing something well. 

It took her nearly the same amount of time to eat one parfait that it took him to eat the rest of the food. 

Once their breakfast was cleaned up, there was an awkward pause as their eyes met and they quickly looked away from one another. 

Sophia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned against the counter, trying to muster up the courage to say something. 

"Sophia, I'm sorry–"

"No, it was me," she interrupted him immediately, her face blushing. "I warned you that I was going to be like this. You're going to get disappointed a lot."

She didn't want him to get the wrong idea. It was she who had started everything the night before. It was also she who allowed herself to be carried away and lose sight. Fear was what kept her from going forward.

He came closer and she was immediately overwhelmed. She wasn't expecting him to want to remain by her side. The night before was an alarming testament to how it was going to be hard for them and it had nothing to do with him, but everything to do with her. 

Daring to touch her again, Luca cupped her cheek and gently guided her face to look at him. He wanted her green eyes on him and only him. 

"I can't help my curiosity," he said in a quiet voice. "Did you like it as much as I did?"

 He didn't know how he could be disappointed in her when he had her undivided attention before. The responses she had made him believe he finally had her. He was determined to get through her doubts, but he knew it wouldn't work if he was so aggressive. 

She was mesmerized by his piercing blue eyes and she nodded up at him. 

"I liked it a lot," she responded. 

Taking a risk, he lowered his lips to hers, but he pulled away when he felt his heart race and his body respond. He needed to start from scratch and figure out his own boundaries. He wondered if he would have more self-control when he remembered exactly who he was.

Sophia's hands had made their way to his waist and she held onto him as he overwhelmed her and she allowed him to. 

It was too fleeting.

"W-we should head to your appointment soon," she said, pushing herself away from him. "I don't want to be late." 

A smirk remained on Luca's lips. If he got under her skin, that was enough for him for the time being.