‘And Lucas doesn’t mind?’
Jenn shrugged. ‘Why should he? My idea was a bit all over the place and he still agreed, but you’ll be selling matcha, won’t you? He doesn’t have that stuff – I doubt he even knows what it is. So, you’re not going to affect his business, are you?’
‘No, I guess not,’ Willow said, feeling a little reassured.
Even so, there was a nagging doubt deep inside her. This was Lucas after all, the old friend that was no longer so friendly.
Who knew what he was really thinking?
And why did she care so much?
Willow slept better than she had for months, even though it was only on Jenn’s lumpy pull-out. Maybe it was the fresh mountain air or something, but she felt different. Lighter perhaps?
Jenn was already making coffee and juice for them. ‘I’m sorry I don’t have any food,’ she said. ‘I haven’t been to the store since I’m leaving later today.’
‘No, it’s fine. I’ll go later today and stock up.’
Willow was looking forward to going back to the store. Apparently, it was Rachel who ran it now. She had gone to school with them all but was a couple of years older. Willow was interested to see how she had turned out.
The women ate and tidied the cabin a little. Jenn was finishing her packing.
‘I’m not taking much,’ she said, gesturing at her large, bulging wardrobe. ‘We’re about the same size, so anything you need, please just borrow.’
‘I might need to.’
Willow had packed lightly but was already aware that there would still be colder evenings here, even though it was spring. She only had one sweater and that was flimsy at best. Jenn’s wardrobe would save her a huge shopping trip in Westpine Ridge.
It wasn’t long until they were heading back to the main square to check out the van. Jenn wanted to show her before she left. She jingled the keys in excitement.
‘I can’t wait for you to see her. I know you’re going to love her.’
Willow felt the little bubbles of anticipation build up in her body. She knew nothing about vans but did know a little about selling and how to make things look good. She prayed she was the right person for the job.
They turned the corner towards The Diner. It was still late morning and the doors were closed, but Willow knew that there would be customers inside enjoying a warming breakfast. Willow’s eyes drifted up to the closed curtains of the apartment above. She guessed Lucas lived there alone now. She couldn’t help but wonder whether he was working downstairs, or up there …
‘It was a bit frosty between you two yesterday,’ Jenn said, following her eyes and nudging her. ‘Did something happen between you? I couldn’t remember?’
‘Nothing that I can think of.’ Willow shrugged. ‘We used to be friends when we were kids and then suddenly,we weren’t anymore. I barely spoke to him through high school. I guess these things happen. We stopped caring for each other.’
She couldn’t help but shiver softly as she walked away from the building. Was it just her imagination, or did she feel like someone was staring right back at her?
And why did the thought of that warm her?
Chapter 8
Lucas
Lucas had just glanced out the window and was totally thrown to see Willow standing outside The Diner, staring right back up at him. For a moment, he froze. What the hell was she doing here? Surely, she hadn’t come alone to see him? What would be the purpose of that? And then, he saw Jenn coming up behind her, tugging her arm before they both hurried off behind the building.
Lucas sighed and ran his hand through his thick hair. He had barely slept last night, and his entire body ached with tiredness. The small amount of sleep he had gotten had been racked with dreams about Willow and distorted memories of when she had been here before. Things had been so different then.
He had been so different then.
Lucas had spent so much of his life unpicking things that had happened in the past and knew he was in a better place now. But Willow being in Honey Springs had knocked him a few steps back. He paced the small apartment for a bit, trying to still his thoughts. The chances were, Willow was just back for a fleeting visit. She was a city girl, everyone knew that, and now that her grandma, Martha, had died,there was nothing left for her here. She would soon get bored, Lucas was certain.
And surely, she would miss Jake? Lucas had never been in a long-distance relationship before, but they couldn’t be easy.
Just thinking about Jake and Martha made Lucas stop in his tracks for a moment. He walked back towards the window and pulled open the curtains fully to let in the light. From here, he had a good view of the town, and he could just about make out Martha’s house on the corner of the next street. A deep ache filled him. He knew she would offer him some good advice if she was still here. So would his mom.
