Surprise glimmers in her eyes before she smiles. “You’re welcome.”
Lucy stands next to me for a moment, watching Isla as she inspects the cake from every angle. She shifts close enough that I feel her warmth. It’s just a subtle shift of air, the brush of her sleeve near mine, but it hits me all the same.
Suddenly, I have this urge to slide an arm around her waist and pull her in, feel her settle there. The thought blindsides me. I haven’t even wanted something like that in a long time.
I clear my throat, forcing my hands to stay where they are, clamped uselessly at my sides.
She swallows, eyes flicking up to mine as if she feels the shift, too. Then she steps back, the space she leaves behind cooling far too quickly.
“I should, um…I should get going,” she says quietly. “Let you get back to the party.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay, Lucy?” Mum asks. “You’re more than welcome.”
Lucy offers a soft smile. “I’m actually heading over to my parents’ place in a bit. I appreciate it, though.”
Before anyone can say more, Isla barrels forward, wrapping her arms around Lucy’s legs. “Thank you for my cake.”
Lucy lowers and tucks a curl behind Isla’s ear. “You’re very welcome, sweetheart. Happy birthday.”
Isla beams, then dashes back as quickly as she appeared.
“I’ll walk you out,” I say.
Lucy nods. “Sure.”
We head for the door together, side by side, her shoulderbrushing my arm. It’s the smallest touch, one you could chalk up to the narrow hallway, but it lights me up.
I open the door for her, the early March air cool against the overheated house.
Lucy pauses at the threshold, turning to face me. The sunlight catches in her hair, turning it almost amber. I’m painfully aware of how close we’re standing, the doorway forcing us into each other’s space. Her gaze meets mine.
“Thanks again for the cake,” I say, my voice rough. “Isla will remember this for a long time.”
“It was my pleasure,” she replies. She takes half a step back, but her eyes stay locked on mine.
Her eyes flick to my lips for just a fraction of a second, and my heart hammers against my ribs. I find myself swaying forward, just slightly. My fingers twitch at my side, resisting the urge to brush the stray hair the wind has blown across her face. A sudden gust catches us, sending that loose strand dancing across her cheek. I tighten my fist to stop myself from reaching out. It would be so easy to tuck it behind her ear, to let my fingers graze her skin. The impulse is overwhelming, foreign, and terrifying all at once.
“I haven’t seen you and Isla in the café in a while,” she says almost timidly, tucking the lock of hair away herself.
“Offshore work,” I mutter, shoving my hands into my pockets where they can’t betray me. “Oil rigs. I’m usually gone a few weeks at a time.”
Her eyes soften a fraction, but there’s no pity there. “Well, maybe I’ll see you both at the café sometime this week?”
It sounds like a question, but it’s phrased like she wants me to say yes. My throat goes dry, and I nod before I can overthink it.
“Aye, we’ll stop by.”
Her smile blooms slowly, lighting up her entire face. I don’tknow when it happened, but I’m already halfway gone over her lips and her smile.
That kind of wanting will ruin a man.
“I really should get going,” she says softly.
I step back. “Right. Drive safe.”
She gives a small, tentative smile that makes my chest ache. “Enjoy the party. Tell Isla I hope she loves her present.”
I watch as she walks to her car. Only when she pulls away do I realize I’m still standing in the doorway like an idiot, letting all the heat out of the house.
