Chapter 34
“You did it! You’re the best, I love you!” Luke shouted into the phone before hanging it up. He spun around to find Laura watching him. “Oh, hey babe. Um, that wasn’t what it sounded like.”
“Uh-huh, then what was it?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest.
Luke squirmed slightly under her intense stare. “It was just Felicia. Um, she pulled in a favor for me with Bubba, that’s all.”
Laura sighed and stepped closer to him. “Luke, what did you do now?”
He laughed. “No, it’s not about me, I swear. It’s nothing, really.”
“If it’s nothing, then why can’t you tell me?”
“Well, because,” he stammered, “because you’ll yell at me for meddling.”
“Meddling? Luke, no...you’re not setting up Lucky again, are you?’
Luke smiled sheepishly. “Would you believe me if I said no?”
“No.”
“Fine, it’s about Lucky and Liz. They’re meant for each other, and if I don’t do something to show them, they may never know.”
“Luke, do you know how ridiculous that sounds?” Laura asked.
“Maybe, but it’s the truth. They’re too busy fighting with each other to see what’s right in front of them. I’m just making sure they stop ignoring it, that’s all.”
“And how exactly are you planning on doing that?”
“Sorry, that’s a trade secret. Can’t tell my secrets now, can I?”
“How much do you like the couch?” Laura asked, still staring him down.
He looked at her for a moment, seeing she was totally serious. “Okay, you win. I’m setting them up to get arrested tomorrow, so they’ll have to spend the night together in jail,” he said quickly, looking down at the floor so he wouldn’t see her reaction.
“Please tell me you’re joking!”
“Nope, not kidding. It’ll work too, I know it will.”
“Jail? That’s your big plan? Lucky is going to know you did this, and he’s probably never going to speak to you again!”
“Maybe, at least until he finally admits he’s in love with her, and then he’ll thank me,” Luke said, looking up at his wife again.
Laura sighed and shook her head. “Fine, you do whatever you want, but I’m having no part of it.” She turned around and headed for the kitchen.
“So, does this mean I can sleep in the bedroom tonight?” he shouted after her.
~*~
Liz stood in front of her mirror, studying her appearance for the last time before she had to leave. She was wearing a black cocktail dress that reached just above her knees, with a matching shawl to cover the bandage on her shoulder. The wound had healed somewhat, so she wasn’t in constant pain anymore, although she did still have to wear the sling.
“So much for looking sexy in this thing,” she grumbled, adjusting the straps so her arm was comfortable. She sighed and adjusted her hair before heading downstairs. She had it loose, the soft curls falling to her shoulders. She hurried out to her car, pulled out of the driveway, and headed for the Outback, wondering the entire time what she was getting herself into. She had no idea who she would be meeting, it wasn’t exactly the smartest thing in the world to do, but for some reason, she couldn’t stay away.
~*~
“Maybe you should think about investing in a tux of your own,” Nikolas said with a laugh as Lucky studied himself in the mirror.
“Thanks for the tip, but I have plenty of them. I just didn’t bring any with me. I didn’t think I’d be needing them so much. Thanks again for letting me borrow another one.”
“No problem. I don’t exactly need it. It’s just me and Dom tonight. We’ve got a date with Aladdin.”
Lucky laughed. “Hasn’t she seen that movie a hundred times by now?”
“Yeah, I think she’s got a crush on him,” Nikolas chuckled, reaching out to straighten Lucky’s tie.
Lucky smiled at him. “You know, you’re pretty good at this dad thing. I’m pleasantly surprised.”
“Surprised? Why?”
“Well, you didn’t exactly have Mike Brady as your father-figure.”
“Who?” Nikolas asked, wondering what his brother was rambling about.
Lucky laughed and shook his head. “Forget it. Just take the compliment and move on.” He glanced at his watch and sighed. “Well, I better get going. Don’t want to be late, do I?”
“So, you really think Liz is behind this?”
“I don’t know, but I heard her ask Bobbie for the night off right after I got the invitation. Normally, I wouldn’t go, but I’m too curious to pass it up.”
“You like her, don’t you?” Nikolas asked with a grin.
Lucky frowned and shook his head. “No, I don’t. I just have to see for myself if this is her, that’s all. Then I’ll let her down easy, and come home.”
“Then why the fancy clothes, if you’re not planning on staying?”
Lucky thought for a minute, trying to think of a good excuse. “Um, well, it might not be her, so I may end up staying after all. You never know, right?”
Nikolas chuckled and patted him on the back as he left the cottage. “Whatever you say.”
~*~
Lucky pulled up to the Outback and got out of his car, looking around at the deserted parking lot. “Looks like they’re closed,” he muttered, making his way to the front door. There were some dim lights inside, but the place was definitely empty. He paused for a moment, then tried the doorknob. It turned easily, and the door opened. Figuring that meant it was okay to go in, he did.
There was a table in the center of the room set, with some candles burning, so he went over to it, looking around for any sign of his “admirer.” As he rounded the table, the front door opened again, and Elizabeth stepped inside. His breath caught in his throat when he saw her standing in the doorway, the moonlight behind her shining off of her hair.
Elizabeth stopped when she saw Lucky standing there. Was he her admirer? Of all the people she had thought it might be, he wasn’t one of them. He was staring at her, his mouth hanging slightly open, and she had to admit, he looked gorgeous. She cleared her throat and walked into the restaurant, slowly approaching him.
“I thought you didn’t bring any suits with you?” she teased.
“Borrowed it from Nikolas again,” he answered, unable to take his eyes off of her as she continued to come closer to him.
“So,” she said, looking around the empty room. “What’s all this about?”
“That’s what I was going to ask you,” he said, frowning. If she didn’t know, then who had sent him that card?
She held up her invitation. “You mean you didn’t...”
He shook his head. “No, I thought you did.”
Liz laughed. “Why would I do this?”
He shrugged, starting to feel like a fool for falling into the trap. “I don’t know, but I certainly didn’t do it.”
“Then who did?” she asked. The door burst open and they both spun around to see Lt. Taggert and another cop rush into the room.
“Well, Lucky Spencer and Elizabeth Webber,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re the last people I expected to find in here.”
“Taggert, what are you doing here?” Lucky asked, more confused than ever.
“Picking up a couple of trespassers,” he answered simply as he and his partner pulled out their handcuffs. “You’re both under arrest.”
