Jenn burst into laughter. ‘Hey! It was nothing like that. And don’t look at me like that, honestly you have such a bad view of me! We were just close, that’s all. It was nothing sexual.’ She pulled a face and Willow giggled alongside her. ‘I was working at the Watering Hole then, helping him with a few shifts. It was pretty much after Mel died, so Lucas had shut himself off from everyone. I guess Greg and I got a little closer. We would talk after the bar had closed. Open up about stuff.’
Willow shook her head, confused. ‘So, why did it all turn sour? I mean, that sounds really sweet …’
Jenn looked suddenly sheepish. ‘I may have messed things up slightly—’
‘What? How?’
‘One night, things did progress a little. We kind of kissed and Greg admitted that he was developing feelings for me. I wasn’t really sure how I felt.’ Jenn shook her head. ‘It was a weird, messed-up time. I needed to think. I mean, he really isn’t my type …’
‘So, you thought about it?’ Willow reasoned. ‘What happened? Did you break his heart? Oh, Jenn, you did, didn’t you!’
‘I didn’t mean to. I was drunk and I was talking to Mia, Lucas’s sister—’
Willow giggled. ‘I remember her well, she was always such an annoying kid, trying to interrupt my and Lucas’s games. We spent half our time trying to hide from her! I don’t really remember her in high school much though.’
‘She’s nice. You’d really like her,’ Jenn insisted. ‘Anyway – she was back checking on Lucas, and we ended up going out and getting a little drunk together. We started off at the Hole, but then I needed to get away from Greg – it was all so intense. We ended up having this drunk chat on the benches by the park. I was playing things down because I didn’t want her to go all matchmaker on me and I may have been a little too harsh. And a little too loud …’
‘Oh, Jenn, please don’t tell me—’
‘Alice Parker was right behind us, walking that stupid little dog of hers and she took much joy in relaying all the information back to Greg. He was devastated and he hasn’t really spoken to me since.’
‘Didn’t you try and explain to him?’
Jenn pulled a face. ‘What would be the point? I kind of figured that Greg would be too good for me anyway. I’d only end up screwing him up, like I screw most things up. It’s better this way, really.’
‘Aw, that’s awful. Your friendship was ruined.’
She nodded. ‘Yeah, that’s the saddest thing, but I’m hoping in time, it’ll get better. I really didn’t mean to hurthim. It’s just my stupid self-defensive thing getting everything wrong again. Also, he has acted like a jerk too. He won’t talk about it at all.’
‘I guess he’s hurt.’
‘Yeah, maybe.’ Jenn started to walk towards The Diner. ‘Just trust me on this, Willow, if you find a decent guy, hold onto them because I think they’re pretty rare. Hopefully, you have it with Jake.’
‘Yeah, maybe I do.’ Willow smiled back.
But it felt like a mask.
Jenn stood at the counter, a backpack slung on her shoulder and a smaller bag at her feet. Lucas was smiling back at her. Willow was really going to miss her. Jenn brought a spark and burst of light to her life that she realized she badly needed.
Lucas walked around to the front of the counter and pulled her into a hug.
‘You take care of yourself, yeah? I wanna see lots of photos,’ he told her. ‘And don’t go getting lost.’
‘Oh, I probably will. This is me after all.’ She grinned shyly back at him. ‘I’ll miss you, Luc. And say goodbye to Mia for me, yeah?’
‘I will.’
‘You’ll look after yourself, won’t you?’ Jenn urged, tugging his arm. ‘I worry about you.’
‘I’ll be fine. I’m happy enough,’ he grunted back.
‘Seriously? Tell that to your face,’ Jenn joked. ‘And look after Willow for me, Lucas. She’s a great asset. People need new things in the town, and you never know, she might cheer you up.’
Willow felt her cheeks burn. She glared at Jenn.
‘I don’t need cheering up, Jenn, but thanks anyway,’ Lucas muttered.
Jenn raised an eyebrow. ‘You’ve been wandering around with a dark cloud over your head for too long, Luc. I know the mean and moody look really suits you, but it must get wearing after a while. Anyway – weren’t you and Willow really good friends once? You need to pick that up again …’
