The Love From Vengeance

298: MONEY TALKS

LUKE’S POV

We were still in the car as Ariel chuckled. “Deal, no honey on our next adventure. But maybe I’ll bring some bear repellent, just in case.”

I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended. “Are you implying that I’m not enough to scare off bears?”

She laughed, “Oh, no, not at all. I’m just thinking of extra protection for our future escapades.”

“Fair enough,” I said, starting the car and pulling out of the parking lot. “But next time, let’s stick to less adventurous activities, like picnics in the park or binge–watching Netflix.”

Ariel nodded, still grinning. “Sounds like a plan. As long as you’re by my side, I’m up for anything.”

“Yeah, but don’t too be scared next time,” I taunted her, trying to

see her reaction.

Ariel’s grin turned into a playful scowl. “Scared? Me? Please, I’m as brave as they come.

I chuckled, teasing her further. “Oh really? So you weren’t the one clinging to me like a

koala bear back there behind the bushes?”

Her eyes widened in mock indignation. “I was not clinging! I was… strategically positioning myself for safety.”

“Sure, sure,” I said with a smirk. “Strategically positioning yourself to use me as a shield

against the bear.”

Ariel crossed her arms, trying to maintain her facade of bravery. “Well, you know what they say, Luke. Behind every brave person is someone even braver who’s willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good.”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Oh, so now I’m the sacrificial hero in this scenario?”

“Exactly!” she exclaimed with a grin. “You’re the unsung hero of our bear encounter.”

I shook my head, still chuckling. “Fine, fine. I’ll accept my role our relationship.”

as the fearless protector of

Ariel leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “And I’ll continue to be the brave one who

60 240 MONEY TALKS

fearlessly drags you into all sorts of crazy situations.”

“Sounds like a perfect balance.” I smiled at her. “So, it’s still early in the morning. Where do

to

we can jump inside and get chased by sharks,” Ariel

smirking at me.

to be kidding

would I be joking?”

see it right in your

head. “Alright, fine. But if we’re getting chased

even bring honey in the

I was just talking shit, since you were talking shit.”

Ariel said, her tone becoming

not compared to yours. Like, seriously, Ariel, sharks?

into laughter, her eyes sparkling with

sense of adventure?”

it’s right where it should be, firmly planted on solid ground,” I retorted, unable to

suppress a grin.

“You know I was just

said, mimicking her earlier response. “Just like how you were ‘strategically positioning‘ yourself close to me

you

I’ll admit that. I was the one

you, mister.”

“You definitely keep life

we continued driving, Ariel reached over and turned on the radio. The announcer’s voice

outrageous ideas

and I exchanged a bemused glance before she quickly reached to switch

shark–chasing plan was a bit out there,” I remarked, breaking the brief

back in her seat. “Yeah, perhaps we should stick to more grounded activities for our

said, reaching over to intertwine my fingers with hers. “As long as I’m with you, Ariel, every moment is an adventure worth

gaze softening. “Likewise, Luke. Let’s keep making memories together, even if

the shark idea, aren’t you?”

“Can’t help it.”

abruptly as I spotted two young guys getting into a heated

we should probably stop those guys before one of them

at her.

we both stepped

guys, what’s going on here?” I called out, trying to diffuse the tension.

voices rising in anger as they continued

at each other.

yelled, stepping between them as they squared

the problem?” I asked, trying to get to the bottom of

face flushed with anger, pointed accusingly at the other. “He tried to have sex