Out of Nowhere
Turnabout
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A/N: The idea of
Luke actually approaching anyone under 30 is probably so far out of character
it isn’t funny, so I’ve tried to make Lane more aggressive than Luke and I’m
glad so many of you can see that. Please
send more reviews!
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Out of Nowhere
Chapter 3 – Turnabout
Lane settled into the couch wondering where to start.
weighed heavily on her mind. She hadn’t
yet been able to decide who was right her or her mother.
“Would you give me your honest opinion on something?”
Luke had gone back to sitting in the armchair waiting for
her to speak. “Yeah, sure.”
“Am I a bad daughter?” Lane looked down at her hands.
was? His opinion was important to her more so than most of the people she
knew. Not just because he was her boss
but also because she respected him. He
lived his life the way he wanted to. He
never made excuses or kept quiet when he thought he should speak.
she could be that strong.
“Nothing about you is bad.
You’re smart, reliable, a hard-worker, and I have to tell you if your
customer service skills get any better I’m going to have to fire you.”
experiences with Jess had made him unsure about his judgment skills.
“Thanks, but that’s not what I asked.” She really wanted to
know if that was how people saw her.
Luke rubbed the back of his neck. “I think you did what you needed to. Sometimes there aren’t any
rights or wrongs just what you know you need to do.” Maybe he should start listening to his own advice.
had been a coward when it came to the relationship he wanted with Lorelai.
her. It was just a matter of getting a
little backbone.
Lane wasn’t sure she wanted to talk about this anymore.
been her life. Everything she did
revolved around whether it was something she could tell her or not.
of
it to her mother. Luke was right;
sometimes it was what you needed to do that mattered. And right now what she needed to do was start making her own
decisions ones that really mattered.
She had been spent her teenage years wanting a relationship
with someone and meeting Dave had been wonderful. He had fulfilled her expectations, his willingness to please her
and his dedication to hiding their relationship from her mother.
together and her biggest regret between them was that he would not be the one
to be her first. She had loved and
wanted Dave. She wasn’t sure she’d find
another like him anytime soon and she no longer wanted to wait for someone to
come to her. The only other person she
trusted as much as Dave was Luke. Now
Dave was out of her reach. And one day soon she hoped Luke would be in a
committed relationship with the woman he wanted.
It was time to ask for what she needed. Just this once.
Giving herself a pep talk, she studied Luke who had
stretched out his legs in front of his chair. ‘Everything will be fine you just
need to approach him slowly. Let him
get used to the idea. Him! What about
me? I haven’t gotten used to the idea. How am I supposed to seduce a guy who’s
twenty years older than me? With my
sparkling wit?! Calm down! You are a drummer in a rock band and you share a
one-bedroom apartment with two guys, you are no longer mousy straight-laced
mother-would-have-her-be-a-nun Lane
You can do this.’ Lane rubbed
her hands against her knees. ‘But what
if he says no? How could I ever look him in the eye much less work for him
again?’ She straightened a little and focused her attention on Luke’s face.
‘You’ll just have to be convincing. How
hard could it be? Isn’t it every middle-aged guys fantasy to be lusted after by
eighteen-year-old girls? I mean, come on.
The guy just found out his wife’s having an affair. Talk about blow to
the ego. I shouldn’t be willing to take
advantage of his vulnerability but…what the hell. This is what I need and if he truly doesn’t want it then I can
live with that. Mortified for the rest of my life. But I can live with it.’
Now to talk him into it.
“Thanks for letting me to talk to you.
though. It’s just…I’ve been feeling a
little down lately.” Luke looked over
at her noticing that her hands were twisting together nervously.
hope you know that.” Maybe she was trying to ease her way into leaving, he
thought surprisingly disappointed. It
had been nice to just sit and talk with someone. “If you need anything you can always come to me.”
Lane smiled at him, she certainly hoped that offer was still
going to be open in a few minutes. “I
appreciate that but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
around her middle.
He was starting to get concerned; she had withdrawn in the
last few minutes. He hoped she hadn’t
noticed the way he’d been looking at her the last little while.
together and it was getting harder and harder for him to keep his mind from
straying. She was a lovely young
woman, he thought it was safe to admit that.
As long as he didn’t do anything about it. She was too young for him and…what the hell was he talking about.
interested in him anyway. The first
move he made in her direction and not only would she probably call the cops but
then she’d have her mother come and stone him.
On the other hand it would give her a good reason to talk to Mrs. Kim.
He moved over and sat down on the couch next to her, their
knees almost touching. “You’re not
going to make me uncomfortable, if there’s something you need all you have to
do is ask.”
Lane tried to keep the smile off of her face.
perfectly. She felt a little twinge of
guilt for manipulating him like this but there was also a little thrill from
knowing she could. ‘Well, now that he’s
here next to me it’s time to feel him up – out! I meant out. Save the up for
later.’ She started to giggle and quickly put her hand over her mouth.
was going to cry. ‘How many woman are going to cry on my shoulder this month?’
He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her towards him.
‘Luke’s arm is around me! Okay, okay, calm down. He thinks
something’s wrong. I can use that.’ She
leaned in further towards him and put one arm around him as if to cling to
him. “Lane? Do you want to tell me
what’s wrong?” Luke felt her shake her head a little. “You’ll think it’s
dumb.” Lane waited for him to respond.
“I promise no matter what it is, I won’t think it’s dumb.” Perfect! “Well, I,
uh, I’ve been kinda thinking about this guy and I want something from him but I
don’t know how to ask for it.”
“Well, what is it you want from him?” He really hoped it was
something innocent, he really didn’t want to give relationship advice.
Earth who should give relationship advice.
“I don’t know how to say it.” Luke hugged her closer to
him. “Well, don’t worry if you don’t
want to tell me I’ll understand.” Please don’t tell me!
“Um, this is a little embarrassing. But I’m, sort of, uh,
attracted to this guy but I don’t know how to tell him.” Lane was glad her face
was hidden she was sure it was glowing bright red. She couldn’t believe she’d gotten this far.
Luke was feeling unc uncomfortable about this
conversation. He wanted to help her,
which was what he usually did for everyone, help them and fix things.
left him in the dark to begin with he was feeling rather distracted by the feel
of her pressed up next to him. if if that hand she’d left on his side, which
had slipped a little low, went any further she was going to discover something
that would definitely embarrass them both.
“If you really want to get this guy’s attention then you
should just tell him upfront. Guys
respond to that much better than anything else.” There he’d gotten that out
without stumbling or stuttering once, maybe she’d be satisfied with that and
would move away from him.
“Well if that’s what you think would work then here goes
nothing.” Lane took a deep breath; didndidn’t think she’d ever been this
nervous in her life. She made herself look him in the eye. “Luke, I want you to
sleep with me.”
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