I woke up Thursday morning before the alarm. I moved my head to the side, noting how peaceful Nathan looked when he slept. He was the only one here when Silas dropped me off last night. I could tell he was trying really hard to seem interested in our date and he didn't scowl or grimace once. I thought that was progress, and I told him that when Silas left. He said he was starting to be more comfortable with everything, and maybe by the second round of dates he would be as encouraging as Gabriel about it all.

I looked at my phone, it was only 4:30am. I tried to fall back asleep, but my mind was racing. I had gone out on a date with all of the guys now, did they all still feel the same way? Was our abnormal relationship going to work? After a few minutes of my running thoughts I rolled off the bed and went to take a bath.

I was sitting in the living room, flipping through a magazine, when Nathan came in. He was already dressed in his school uniform, his hair still damp from the shower. "You're up early Peanut. Everything okay?"

I smiled up at him. "Everything's great Honey. I couldn't fall back asleep so I just got up so my tossing and turning wouldn't wake you up." No need to tell him what I was thinking. He was just starting to feel comfortable with our dating situation, I didn't want to put unnecessary doubts back in his head.

"Next time, wake me up if you want. I can keep you company." He looked at his phone. "Kota's outside."

The school day was like any other. The guys didn't act any differently around me, and none of them seemed annoyed or distant. Luke sat next to me during lunch, holding out a bag of chips that he brought. I traded him a handful of chips for the chicken salad sandwich I had made.

"What are you doing after school Cupcake?"

I shrugged and pursed my lips. "I think for once I don't have anything planned." I smiled at the thought, but also felt sad. I liked being busy and was not looking forward to down time.

"Want to come to the diner with me?"

I brightened at the idea. "Yes!" Luke's eyes widened with my shout. Maybe I sounded too eager. Giggling I said "Sorry. I wasn't looking forward to sitting around with nothing to do."

Luke laughed with me. "A true Academy girl."

Luke and I walked into the diner after school and it was completely empty. "It probably won't pick up until 4:30 or so. Why don't you come back in the kitchen with me until we get some customers out here?" We walked into the kitchen and saw Uncle loading the dishwasher. He looked up when he heard us.

"Hiya Luke, Sang. Is it that time already? I just finished the dinner prep and thought I would get a head start on the prep dishes. Jackson can't make it in and we might be short staffed if it gets busy. Can you stay and help Sang?"

I nodded, grateful that Uncle always made me feel useful.

Uncle looked up at the clock on the wall and back to Luke. "Can you hold down the fort for a few minutes? I need to go to the store and pick up some fresh basil, I went through more than I thought I would making the pesto."

"Sure thing. Sang can help me prep the desserts."

When Uncle left the kitchen Luke rolled up his sleeves and reached for one of the aprons hanging on a hook by the sink. He pulled one down for me too and handed it over to me. I watched him slip it over his head and wrap the strings around his waist, tying it in the front. I started to do the same but Luke grabbed the strings out of my hands. "Allow me."

He stood behind me so his stomach was right against my back. He pulled the strings to the front of me and started to tie them together. His breath was warm against my neck as he leaned his head against mine. "You know Sang." He whispered low and his lips tickled my ear. "I never gave you a goodnight kiss after our date." The thought of a kiss from Luke, mixed with the feeling of his lips on my ear, had tingles shooting all over my body. I shivered with the sensation and felt Luke move his hands to grip both sides of my hips. He gently spun me around so I was facing him. He didn't waste any time, his lips met mine and his hands slip up my back, tangling in my hair. I wanted to show him my new found confidence with kissing, so I brushed my tongue against his lips. He opened his lips immediately and mimicked my actions. He pulled back slightly, laying his forehead against mine and running his hands down my back and up again.

"Sang." It came out as a whisper. It looked like he wanted to say more, he was staring so deeply into my eyes. I waited for him to say whatever was on his mind, but he remained silent.

"Luke?"

"O, Sang." It was all he said before he dropped his lips back to mine. His hands moved back to my hips, slightly pushing me backwards until I felt something push at my back. As Luke was lifting me up I realized it was a counter. He released my hips to grab both my legs and wrap them around his waist. Our lips never broke contact and as soon as he had situated me he moved his hands back to tangle into my hair. I copied his move, sliding my hands up to his hair. I felt the clip holding his hair up, and moved to release it. I tugged the clip out of his hair and felt it tumble over my hands and brush against my face. Luke let out a moan and put more pressure against my lips. I heard a door slam outside of the kitchen door and quickly released Luke's hair. Luke's moan turned into a groan as he pulled away. He placed a quick peck against my lips before stepping further back, pulling me off the counter.

He grabbed the clip from my hand and started to twist his hair back up just as the door opened. Uncle walked through door, holding a shopping bag and swinging his keys in his hand. He stopped when he saw both of us still standing almost right where he left us. I blushed, realizing that he probably knew what we had been doing.

"How's the dessert prep coming along you two?" He had a hint of a smile as he said it.

"I decided to change our dessert special tonight Uncle. I am suddenly in the mood for cupcakes." He winked at me as he walked back to the dry storage, whistling under his breath.