Home was where his heart was. And his home would never be radical, or new, or exciting – it would simply stay the same. He no longer expected, or wanted, it to change.
Honey Springs would always be a quiet little dead-end town, with people that were too scared to embrace anything new. Perhaps that really did make it dull. Who cared? Lucas knew he no longer did. Dull was better than soulless.
Lucas looked towards the door and thought of Willow.
She was going to find out the same for herself soon enough.
Therefore, it was probably good if she didn’t stick around for too long. For her sake.
She’d only end up disappointed.
A little later that morning, the bell jangled and Willow walked in. Her face looked flushed with happiness and her hair was loose around her face, almost messy. Jeez, she looked stunning. Lucas could feel something stir inside of him but tried to ignore it.
‘It’s been pretty busy out there.’ She giggled. ‘I’ve beenloading up the van. Quite a few people are already showing interest.’
Lucas had been studying a crossword that old Ernie had left out on the table. He pushed it to one side of the counter.
‘That’s good. I have to admit, I’m surprised though. Business hasn’t exactly been great around here lately.’
Willow peered around the almost-empty room. ‘I’m sorry to hear that. Hopefully, the van will bring in new customers?’
Lucas offered her a weary smile. ‘Here’s hoping …’
‘Hey …’ Her honey eyes were wide as she approached him, it was so hard for him to look into them. There was something about her – some kind of fresh energy that seemed to burn around her like sunshine. It was quite mesmerizing, but also painful. Didn’t they always warn you never to stare at the sun for too long?
‘I was hoping to use the bathroom, if that’s alright?’ she continued, sounding uncertain.
‘Sure.’ Lucas gestured towards it, even though he knew she knew the way. He made himself not watch her walk away and instead tried to focus again on the crossword.
Why did she still have to be with Jake? He glared at the page as if it might have the answers. Of course, there was nothing there. What solution could there possibly be to this problem? He had been in love with Willow for as long as he could remember.
And now she was back – still as beautiful and sweet and engaging as ever, but they could never be together.
Moments later, she drifted back into the room. He could smell Janice’s lavender hand lotion on her skin.
‘Can I get you anything from the van? A matcha to say thank you.’
‘There’s no need,’ he replied casually. ‘I’ll come by later and try one though.’
‘Is that a promise?’ Her eyes twinkled.
‘Yeah, why not. It won’t kill me, will it?’
‘I sure hope not.’
There was the briefest of pauses. She rested her hands on the surface opposite him. Lucas stared down at her long, slender fingers, at her bright pink nails. That warm feeling rushed through him again and he had to swallow back his thoughts.
‘It was lovely spending time with you yesterday, even though it was brief,’ Willow said softly. ‘It reminded me of how things used to be between us.’
‘Did it?’
‘Yeah. Didn’t you feel the same? I want us to be friends again, Luc. In fact, right now I really need it.’
He could hear the raw truth in her voice. All he wanted to do was take those small hands in his. And then lean forward and kiss those lips – those soft, perfectly plump lips …
‘Luc? Are you OK?’
‘Yeah. Yeah. I’m just tired, that’s all.’ He rubbed his head to make the point. ‘And this damn crossword is driving me nuts.’
