i am your anchor (~~Volume 1~~) [Completed]

Luke's POV

“Brunch?”

Yawning, Luke peeled off the covers and placed her feet on the cold floor, making her way to the bathroom.

“I hope Carr left,” she muttered, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

Pushing the hallway bathroom door open with her foot, she stepped inside without much thought.

“Ahhh!” Both Luke and Carr screamed, eyes widening as they locked onto each other.

“Why the hell are you still here?” Luke demanded, averting her gaze as Carr sat on the toilet.

“Because I thought you were going to make breakfast,” she replied, flushing.

“Only in your dreams. Get out so I can use the bathroom,” she pointed toward the living room.

Carr took her time washing her hands, casually asking for a toothbrush.

After brushing her teeth, she sauntered past him into the living room.

Once inside, Luke locked the door behind her.

No way was Carr going to catch her off guard again.

After using the bathroom and taking a quick shower, she brushed her teeth and slipped into a pair of shorts.

With her phone in one pocket and keys in the other, she walked into the living room, trying to ignore Carr's presence.

“Where are you going?” Carr asked, her piercing gaze following her.

“None of your business,” she replied, twisting the knob and slamming the door behind her.

“Yes, it is!” she shouted, bursting through the door just as she stepped onto the porch.

Neighbors turned to stare at the scene unfolding.

Luke walked briskly down the street until she reached a small breakfast diner, the aroma of grilled food wafting through the air.

The place looked clean, with the cooks wearing gloves and hairnets.

Inside, she accidentally bumped into Nayla.



“I'm sorry,” he said, looking up. “It’s okay, Luke,” she replied, biting her lip and meeting her gaze.

“Okay,” he replied, ready to order breakfast for herself and Carr.

“Can I join you for brunch?” Nayla asked, lightly touching her hand.

“Sure,” she said, leading her to a table.

she placed their orders while chatting with her.

“What brought you here this early?” she asked. “Just wanted breakfast.

“How about you?” Nayla responded.

“Just getting some food for a friend,” she replied.

“Who is your friend?” she inquired.

“Why do you want to know?” she asked, feeling a hint of annoyance.

“Just curious,” Nayla smiled.

Their food arrived, and Luke set it down on the table.

“My friend is just that—a friend,” she said.

“So, you’re not single?” Nayla’s eyes sparkled.

“No,” she answered, glancing at her skeptically.

“Aww, too bad,” she said, reaching for her hand.

“Luke, what are you doing?” Carr’s voice cut through the air, her gaze locked on their hands.

She quickly pulled away.

What had she done?

Carr approached the table, arms crossed, awaiting an explanation.

“Hey, Carr,” Nayla said, waving.

Carr rolled her eyes. “Don’t ‘hey Carr’ me,”

she mocked. “Explain, Luke,” Carr insisted.

“I will explain,” Nayla said, a confident smile on her face.

Carr slammed her hands on the table, staring Nayla down.

“I said Luke. I know damn well what I said!”

“Honestly, nothing happened. We were just talking,” Luke interjected.

“Yeah, just talking,” Nayla added, trying to reach for her hand again.

“Don’t touch Luke. Don’t even talk to hee,” Carr warned, standing her ground.

“You can’t stop me,” Nayla said, a challenge in her tone.

“Watch me,” Carr replied, crossing her arms defiantly. Nayla turned toward Luke.

“You said last night that you two aren’t together,” she said, leaning over her, her fingers brushing against her shoulder.

“Yes, I did,” he confirmed.

“Good,” Nayla said, pressing a kiss to her cheek and whispering her number in her ear while casting a sly glance at Carr.

“Call me.” With that, she walked away, leaving Carr fuming as she took Nayla’s former seat, opening her food container without a word.

“I can’t believe she did that,” Carr said, chewing angrily.

“Did what?” Luke asked, unwrapping her own meal.

“She threw herself at you! You just caught her like a fisherman!” Carr exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief.

Luke took a slow bite of his eggs, pondering her words.
Did she really?