‘I want to, so don’t start arguing with me …’ She eyed him seriously. ‘So, what flavor would you like? Can I tempt you with my favorite, a Chaotic Cherry?’
‘I’ll have the Bummer Blackberry,’ he said with a straight face. ‘Please.’
She groaned at him, flicked her ponytail, and then busied herself with the mixture. Lucas watched her as she sang softly under her breath. She was so relaxed and at ease here; Lucas could kind of see what Greg was getting at. She did have a natural way about her.
And it was familiar. Too familiar.
‘Ta da!’ she said, finally presenting him with a green drink with swirls of dark purple in it. Lucas lifted it up and eyed it suspiciously. He sniffed the top.
‘I’m not trying to kill you,’ she assured him. ‘It’s delicious. In the next few days, I’ll have more options too – hot matcha! I might even look into stocking matcha ice cream.’
Lucas growled under his breath and took a sip. It was certainly different. He wanted to hate it, but actually, it was pretty good. He took another slug and nodded slowly in appreciation.
‘See!’ Willow said proudly. ‘If I can convince an old stick in the mud like you, I’ve got a winner.’
‘I’m not a stick in the mud!’
‘Really?’ Her eyes twinkled. ‘So, tell me, are you still having flat whites every day?’
Lucas didn’t answer. She’d won that one.
‘I knew it! Weren’t you having those at eighteen?’
His eyes widened. He was surprised she had noticed anything about him at eighteen; she had always been so busy wrapped up with Jake.
‘I like the taste and I guess I have easy access,’ he replied casually. ‘You’re not going to kick my coffee habit that easily.’
‘OK. I’m just happy to see you try a new thing.’ She paused. ‘You mentioned it was quiet at The Diner. Is it normally like this?’
A tiny crease of concern appeared between her eyes. Lucas realized that this wasn’t just her being nosy. If it was quiet here, it was going to affect her business too. When Willow left the town, it had been much busier and more bustling, so this was probably a shock to her.
‘It’s been quiet like this for a while,’ he admitted. ‘The bigger stores they developed at the Ridge have driven business there. If people want to visit the mountains, they go that way now. There is a five-star inn, better retail options and award-winning restaurants. I guess we don’t have that to offer here.’
Willow’s frown deepened. ‘But the Springs is known for its quaint beauty. I don’t get it. Are people not even visiting the waterfall anymore?’
‘I guess not …’
‘That’s awful. I can’t believe so much has changed.’
‘I think we’ve just become forgotten,’ Lucas said simply.‘The bigger places gain more attention and traction. It’s what happens. Who wants to stay at the Parkers’s trashy Honey Pot Inn when you can have the luxury of a five-star hotel …’
He didn’t mention The Diner and his fears about that. Lucas was scraping by on little more than sentimental memories.
Willow sniffed. ‘Well, we are going to have to do something to change this, Luc.’
‘We?’ He threw his empty drink in the nearby garbage can and wiped his lips. ‘I don’t know what good I can do, Willow. I’m just a guy who lives here. I’m not a marketing genius like you.’
Her eyes shone as she stared back at him. He hated how that made him feel – so soft and vulnerable, like she could see right through him. He had to quickly look away.
‘You’re not just some guy, Luc,’ she said softly. ‘You’re so much more than that.’
He muttered something under his breath about needing to get back to Greg and turned away. He couldn’t deal with the rush of emotions that hit him, nor did he want Willow to see that his cheeks were now flaming red.
‘Hey.’ Macguire punched his arm as he passed him. ‘I heard that. That woman likes you, son. Mark my words.’
‘Give it a rest, Mac …’ Lucas shot back. ‘You don’t know anything.’
He shuffled into The Diner feeling confused and a little agitated. Why was he letting Willow get under his skin again? It had taken so long to try and forget about her.
