MIRABELLA

Lucas stared at me in surprise and I could tell that my confession had taken him off guard. I crossed my fingers hoping that he was going to respond in a positive way, however, after a few minutes he smiled.

That smile really unnerved me because what I had said wasn't in any way funny, it was exactly how I felt.

"Is this a joke?" he asked.

"I don't joke when it comes to matters of the heart," I replied.

He got up from his seat and I instantly followed suit.

"Please, before you say ...