CHAPTER TWELVE - The Weight of Expectations

"Ella?" Lucas's voice startled her from her thoughts. She turned to find him standing in the doorway to the dining room, his tie loosened and his sleeves rolled up. "Yes?" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Lucas stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "I think we need to talk." Ella's heart raced. "About what?" "About us," Lucas said softly. "About whatever this is between us." Ella swallowed hard. "I'm not sure what you mean." Lucas let out a frustrated sigh. "Come on, Ella. You can't tell me you don't feel it too. This... tension. Ever since last night-" "It was just dinner," Ella interrupted, echoing her thoughts from that morning. "Was it?" Lucas challenged, taking another step towards her. "Because it felt like more than that to me." Ella's breath caught in her throat as Lucas closed the distance between them. She could smell his cologne, a subtle, woodsy scent that made her head spin. "Lucas," she breathed, "we can't-" But her protests were cut short