Chapter 76
When Gus came to pick him up, he studied Luca’s appearance with such intensity, Luca fidgeted. Gus frowned, grabbed Luca’s hand, and dragged him into his bedroom. They stopped short in front of the closet where Gus turned to him, cupped his face, and looked at him with a hint of sadness in his eyes.
What was going on? Had Gus changed his mind about bringing him to the event?
“Why are you wearing this?” Gus asked.
“I thought…I don’t…I was gonna…” Luca had no idea how to articulate his feelings. Most people weren’t so open and accepting of his choices as Gus, and all Luca had wanted was to be respectful.
“Oh, Luca.” Gus rose up on his toes and kissed him on the cheek. “Wear whatever you want.” He ran his fingers through Luca’s hair, messing it up and freeing it from its tortured tameness. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do,” Gus continued, “but I want you to be comfortable. I want you to be yourself. I happen to like you just the way you are.”