Thanks guys!! Chapter 22
At Luka's apartment later that night, Abby stretched on the couch and flipped lazily though the channels of the TV. Noticing Luka was on the phone, she tried her best not to listen, but the close proximity of their quarters made it nearly impossible not to.
She couldn't tell who he was talking to, but he did hear the words Rebecca and Abby, and wondered what he was saying.
A few moments later, Luka entered the living room, lifting her feet so he could sit beneath them on the end of the couch, and replacing them in his lap.
"So, that was my sister," Luka explained.
"Oh, Lexie," Abby squealed. "I miss her! How's she doing?"
"She's fine. Busy with teaching." Out of instinct Luka began rubbing Abby's feet which sat in his lap.
Closing her eyes as the pleasure of feeling Luka's strong hands rubbing her feet, tired from a day of work, Abby sighed in contentment. "And your mom, how is she?"
"Mom's still mom, I guess. Still working at the same beauty parlour. Still driving Lexie crazy. Still mom."
Abby smiled at him. "Well, that's good, I guess. It's nice that you talk to them regularly. I wish I had that kind of relationship with my mom."
"When's the last time you talked to her?"
"Who knows?" Abby mumbled as she adjusted so that Luka could work his magic touch on her other foot.
"You're spoiled," Luka grumbled, but his face betrayed him, as it lifted into a grin and he obliged her request to rub her other foot.
"I may be spoiled, but you know you love my spoiled ass," Abby smiled teasingly.
You have no idea Luka thought to himself, but instead, he just smirked.
"So, my mom and sister want you to come home with me for Thanksgiving next week." Luka's hands stopped their ministrations as he rested his arms on the back of the couch.
Abby quickly sat up. "So they know that I'm here then, I mean they know about-"
"Abby," Luka interrupted, "They know you're staying with me for a while, and they know your engagement is off, but they don't know why. I wouldn't betray your trust like that."
"Oh," Abby's face flushed with relief as she relaxed in her seat once again.
"So what do you think? Would you like to go to Iowa with me for a few days?" Luka tried not to let his voice sound too hopeful.
"Luka, I couldn't impose on your family time. I'll just pick up some extra shifts at the hospital. God knows I need the money, and-"
"Ab’s," Luka interrupted her again, "You would not be imposing. My mom and Lexie would love it if you came with me. In fact, I'm pretty sure they'd rather have you than me."
Abby gave him a half smile, but her eyes were serious. "Luka, it would be your family and Thanksgiving and all of that, and I'm sure I would just feel weird."
Luka moved so that he sat closer to her. "Abby, I would really like it if you would go with me. You could keep me company on the long drive, and I don't want you here by yourself."
Noticing her about to protest, he raised his hand to quiet her. "Before you say anything, I am not doing this because I feel bad for you. Actually, I'm kind of doing it out of selfish ambition, really."
Abby raised an eyebrow at him, her lips unconsciously lifting into a smile. "Oh really? And what would that ambition be?"
Luka smirked. "It'll make me enjoy the trip a lot more if you go. While you three girls go crazy talking about chick crap, I can watch football and drink beer in peace. Plus, I know you make a pretty wicked pumpkin pie"
Abby laughed. "Okay, I'll go with you. But only because you asked so nicely," she mocked, rolling her eyes.
"Great," Luka grinned, placing his arm around her in an attempt to steal the remote off the far end of the couch.
"Hey!" Abby protested as she lunged for the remote, only to have him swipe it and give her one of his equally infuriating and intoxicating grins.
"You know you love my spoiled ass," he mocked her as he began to flip through the channels, leaving his arm draped loosely around her.
Relaxing into his arm, Abby grinned.
You have no idea she thought to herself with a sigh.