Mia blinked at her. ‘What can I do? I don’t know where he is. He’s not answering calls either.’
‘You can help me find out,’ Willow insisted. ‘I can’t risk losing him again.’
‘I don’t see how being here will help?’
Mia and Willow were in Lucas’s apartment. Willow was moving around the place carefully, trying to think logically.
‘There must be clues here somewhere. How many clothes has he packed?’
‘Hang on,’ Mia said, slipping into his room. ‘I’ll check.’
Willow followed her, not really knowing what else to do with herself. Lucas’s room was small and tidy and smelt of him – fresh and slightly woody. She stared at the newly made bed and felt an ache deep inside her. What she wouldn’t give to be curled up beside him right now.
Mia was rifling through the wardrobe. ‘It’s hard to make out. I think he’s taken a few tops maybe. Some jeans—’
Willow scanned the room. ‘Did he have a bag?’ Her heart fluttered briefly.
‘I didn’t see him leave. It was before I woke up. He just called me to say he had gone.’
Willow felt like she was sinking. ‘Did he take a passport?’
Mia snapped open a bedside cabinet. ‘No, look, his passport is here.’
Willow almost fainted with relief. He was still in the country then. ‘Do you think he would go back to New York?’
Mia was now looking under the bed. ‘I don’t think so. Now I’m not there, he’s got no connections. He didn’t like Joshua much. Hey, what’s this—’
She pulled out a leather overnight bag.
‘Is that his normal one?’ Willow asked, crouching beside her.
‘I don’t know; this one looks pretty old,’ Mia said. She opened the zip carefully and peered in. ‘Oh my …’
Mia pushed the bag towards her, and Willow stared in. Carefully, she drew out the items. There were several things. Photos. Key rings. Old soda tabs. Drawings. Oreo wrappings.
They were all items that linked her and Lucas.
Willow’s breath caught in her throat. She realized she was shaking. She carefully took in each object. A photo of her and Lucas together, taken at The Diner. They were both laughing and hugging each other. The key ring was the first birthday present she had gotten him after a trip to Boston. The drawing was a silly one that she had done of the pair them, splashing in the lake.
All beautiful, sweet memories.
And then, there was one final item. A folded piece of paper with her name scrawled on it. She would recognize thirteen-year-old Lucas’s handwriting anywhere.
She carefully opened it.
Dear Willow,
I know that you are thinking about dating Jake, but I want you to know that that is a really bad idea. I know he’s big and good looking and everything, but he’s pretty mean too. And I don’t think you know about half the stuff he does around here.
I think you deserve better.
Mom said I should be honest about my feelings and tell you the truth, but I’m scared that you might go forever if I do.
I guess this letter is me being brave for once and telling you that I think you are the most amazing person in the WORLD, and you deserve the best.
I would always give you the best because I am your friend. And I love you.
If you think, maybe, there is a chance for us, meet me at our cabin by the Falls tonight.
