He pushed it towards her. Her eyes grazed over it.
‘Seventeen down – difficult or involved …’ Her finger tapped the paper. ‘It’s “complicated”.’
You’re telling me, Lucas thought dryly, watching as she waved and left The Diner.
You’re telling me.
Chapter 13
Willow
Willow’s dreams had been so much simpler when she was younger. She had just wanted to fall in love, have a job that she enjoyed and was good at and get a pretty house with a view of the mountains. In those days, she never had a drive to leave Honey Springs. Why would she? She had been safe here, and happy. It had been Jake who had persuaded her that better opportunities were further afield, and Jake offered her a life of excitement and adventure. Maybe she had just ended up ignoring what she really loved.
Willow stared up at The Diner as she stepped outside. She had always loved this place, but it seemed different now. It was emptier for a start. She wondered why the locals weren’t using it as much. As teenagers, they had practically lived in this place! But she had barely seen a teen here since she had been back. Would this affect her new business?
These were questions Willow had longed to ask Lucas, but she didn’t feel it was the best time. He had looked tired and distracted today. And since when had he started doing crosswords?
Was everything alright with him?
Jenn had told her to ignore his grumpy demeanor before she had left.
‘It’s not really him. It’s a mask he wears to protect himself,’ she had said seriously. ‘He’s had a rough time of it, Will, but I don’t think he likes to ask for help.’
Willow didn’t like to think of Lucas as sad or struggling, but it was hard to reach him when he had built up such high walls.
When she walked out of The Diner, she noticed a picture by the door. It was of Mel, wearing her apron and hat and hugging a much younger Lucas. Willow peered closely at the photo. Lucas must have been eleven or twelve there – that was when they had been closest, when Lucas had been her best friend in the whole wide world.
A deep ache filled Willow’s chest and tears bit her eyes as she walked out in the sharp morning breeze back to the van.
She missed that young boy so much. He had been so happy and carefree.
Where was he now?
Would she ever get him back?
Willow tried to focus on the van again. It was lonely standing there by herself on the asphalt. She would be opening tomorrow and had no idea if she would even sell one matcha, let alone a van full.
Toby had been helping her, linking her up with orders and even setting up some social media accounts in her name, or rather in her new brand name that they had both settled on: ‘Willow’s Matcha Wagon’. Jenn had already organized for Tommy to paint the signage for her this afternoon – apparently, he was artistic.
It was all becoming a little more real.
As if on cue, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Toby.
Make sure you send me some images of your finished ‘wagon’ – I’m going to send it to all our top contacts. I’m sure some will be interested in promoting it for you.
Willow managed a wry smile. She admired Toby’s eagerness, she really did – but most of the influencers they had worked with were only interested in big corporate deals. They would roll their eyes at her little business. Even thinking about Kirk finding out about her new direction made her shudder. He would probably find it pathetic and beneath him.
She sent Toby a quick reply.
I dunno, Tobes. I’m not sure they would be that interested? I’m working on the insta page today though – I promise.
It took him seconds to reply.
Don’t forget to add something on your TikTok page too, you can share your experience as a new business owner. People love that stuff. And don’t forget hashtags. They make a big difference! #matchalife
Willow sighed. Had Toby already forgotten that she had taught him all he knew? Or was it that she had become so disinterested recently that Toby felt obliged to remind of her these things? She knew he was only trying to help, but itwas a little frustrating. She decided to steer the conversation away from her and back towards him.
How’s the coffee campaign going anyway? How’s Kirk?
