CHAPTER 4

There was a sudden knock at the door, and the Professor jerked away to try to see who was waiting to be let in.

Through the sheers over the kitchen window, he could just make out a female form bouncing impatiently on her toes on the porch. The figure noticed Layton peeking through the curtains, and leaned around the corner of the house to wave energetically at the Professor.

With a sigh of all too obvious disappointment, Layton announced, "It's Flora. Did you invite her to dinner?"

Luke rested his head in his hands. "No, sir, I didn't."

"Oh. Well then." Layton cleared his throat and opened the door. "Flora, my dear!" His greeting was met with arms flung around his neck, and a big kiss on the cheek.

"Professor! Luke! You're back from Misthallery!" Flora squealed as she swept into the kitchen to give Luke a hug.

"Hi Flora! How are you?" Luke said merrily, and silently congratulated himself for not sounding miffed that what could have been the best moment of his life got interrupted.

"I'm fine! I'm sorry to spoil your dinner, but I just couldn't wait until tomorrow to come see you both. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not, my girl. Would you like some of Luke's delicious stir fry? We have more than enough." The Professor was also doing a good job of hiding his frustration. Too good, Luke thought. Did he have to ask her to stay? The young man shot the Professor a look that hoped would say what he was feeling, but Layton just kept on smiling and being the proper British gentleman that he was. Luke didn't know whether to be angry, or to think it was the most adorable thing in the world, so he kept his mouth shut and tried to be polite.

This proved to be quite the challenge. By the end of dinner, Luke was so bored of listening to Flora's stories of her travails at the university library, that he completely tuned her out. He felt badly that he was most certainly not acting like a gentleman, but he had more important matters on his mind. Like the Professor. The Professor's eyes. His lips. His hands. The way he genuinely interested in everyone and everything around him. That dazzling intellect that Luke had always found so sexy. Mmmph. Luke had had his fill of food, but his mouth was still watering.

It was then that Luke decided to try his hand at a little footsy. He slowly and discreetly (he hoped) stretched his leg out under the table until he felt his foot hit something, and started moving it up and down. Luke didn't look across the table at Layton, but he heard him clear his throat. Smiling to himself in a satisfied way, he decided to try to get a better angle with his other foot. This time the Professor didn't clear his throat. In fact, he didn't respond at all. When Luke looked up, he found him laughing with Flora about something. Luke tried again. Nothing. Just more chuckling from the Professor and a rather red-cheeked Flora. With a tiny sigh, Luke gave up and retreated into himself to sulk.

The sound of a chair scratching across the floor brought him back to the present. Flora stood up and said, "Well, Professor, I really must be going. It's late, and I'm due at the library early tomorrow morning."

The Professor got to his feet as well. "Oh, what a shame," he said earnestly.

"Don't worry, I'll stop by over the weekend for some tea."

"That sounds lovely. Doesn't it, Luke?" Layton nudged Luke to signal that he too should get up and help him see Flora too the door.

"Yes. Very lovely," Luke mumbled. Layton cleared his throat again, and Luke automatically plastered a smile on his face. "Can't wait."

"Let me get your coat, dear," Layton said. He headed to the living room where Flora had put her scarlet pea coat, while Luke and Flora walked to the door. When they got there, Flora put her hand on Luke's arm.

"Luke," she said softly, "you know I've always thought of you as sort of a little brother…"

Luke looked baffled. "Yes…" He honestly had no idea where she was going with this little speech.

"Well, I know you were flirting with me during dinner…you know, under the table." Luke's eyes went wide. He turned white as a ghost, and then red as a tomato.

"No, Flora I-" He didn't get to finish before Flora interrupted him. He didn't know what the ending to that sentence would have been anyway, so it was alright.

"You don't need to be embarrassed, love," she said sweetly. "You really have grown into a fine young man, but that's just the problem. You're still just a bit too young for me. But my goodness, you are attractive." She looked him up and down. "Who knows what will happen in a few years." She proceeded to take his hand and pat it. "Until then, let's just try not to let things between us grow too awkward."

Layton walked up cautiously, as he'd been observing their conversation from the doorway of the living room. "Everything ok here?" he asked, handing Flora her coat.

"Oh yes," she smiled. "I was just telling Luke how delicious his stir fry was. I really must get your recipe." Luke didn't respond, so Flora kissed him on the cheek, then turned to Layton, and did the same to him. "I'll see you both soon," she chirped as she stepped out the door. "Ta!"

"Good evening, Flora," the Professor said, waving.

"Yes, goodbye, Flora," Luke said rather sarcastically. He slammed the door. "And good riddance."