The car door shut with a low thud.
Luca straightened his jacket, the tailored sleeves feeling too stiff against his wrists.
The evening air smelled faintly of jasmine and concrete—cleaner than usual, but still artificial in a way that didn't quite settle.
His father was already halfway up the driveway, speaking in a low voice to someone on his earpiece.
Mr. Jeff lingered back a little, walking in stride with Luca.
"That wasn't so bad," Jeff said, offering a small smile.
Luca tugged at the collar. "You didn't have to wear a tie all night."
"No, but I also didn't look like I wanted to crawl out of my skin," Jeff teased.
Luca rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched with the hint of a smirk. "Thanks for not leaving me to drown in that crowd."
"You held your own," Jeff said, tone softening. "Even with Elise."
Luca glanced away.
They stepped into the house, the marble floors gleaming under the entryway lights.
