‘That would be great,’ Willow replied. ‘The town was badly affected by that stupid viral video.’
Sapphire shook her head. ‘I watched it before I came. It was that idiot TikToker Vince Lamb, wasn’t it? That guy just loves bringing people down. He’s such a drag.’ She tapped Willow on the arm. ‘You don’t need to worry; I’m all about building businesses and places up. And Honey Springs deserves some more love and so does this amazing matcha. Where has it been all my life?’
She took another slug of her cherry iced matcha and made a groaning noise as if to make a point.
‘Seriously, Willow, when I heard you had left marketing to start up this business, a small part of me did wonderif you had completely lost it. I mean, you were all set up, weren’t you? But seeing you here, in this cute little wagon, selling these delicious drinks in the best location ever – well, I have to be honest, I’m just a teeny tiny bit jealous.’
‘It wasn’t an easy decision,’ Willow admitted. ‘I wasn’t enjoying my job anymore and I needed to change something. I could feel myself burning out. It actually came at the same time that Esmae got canceled …’
Willow hesitated. She had planned to not mention Esmae, worrying that it could cause a tension between them, but Sapphire appeared completely unfazed.
‘It’s so bad what happened to her,’ she said softly, flicking back her hair. ‘Honestly, this industry is so fickle.’
Willow turned towards her, unsure of how to progress. ‘Sapphire, I thought—’
She stopped herself, unsure that it was right to challenge her. She couldn’t afford to ruin this now.
‘You thought what? That I was behind it?’ Sapphire giggled lightly. ‘You wouldn’t be the first one. I had loads of followers leave me over it and then, conversely, loads follow me because they thought I had brought down a nasty person.’ She sighed and shook her head. ‘Willow, it wasn’t me. I guess we were kind of rivals, but it’s not my style to act like that. I told you; I don’t bring down others.’
Willow puffed out a breath of relief. She really liked Sapphire and this made it much easier to like her even more. Even better she could tell Esmae the truth too.
‘I’m so pleased it wasn’t you. I hoped that would be the case, but I’d heard so many rumors.’
‘Yeah well, as you know the industry can be toxic, especially for women,’ Sapphire replied seriously. ‘Maybeone day I’ll need a break too, but luckily right now, I’m happy still doing what I’m doing.’
Sapphire circled the van, still staring up at the mountains that surrounded them.
‘I really want to get a closer look at these. They will make an awesome video. I think I’ll drive up tomorrow. Meanwhile, I really want to go to the Falls themselves. I’ve heard so much about them. Do you want to come with me?’
Willow frowned. She did want to. The Falls were only a twenty-minute walk away, and she hadn’t even revisited them yet. She had such beautiful memories of the place that she was waiting for a special time to go, when she wasn’t so busy and distracted.
‘I don’t think I can leave the van again, Sapphire. Tom is in school now, so he’s limited with what he can cover and there is no one else I can ask. I can’t afford to shut up when I’ve only just started the business.’
‘No, that’s understandable,’ Sapphire replied. ‘I’m only being silly wanting company. I’m perfectly capable of going on my own. It would just have been nice to have someone there who knows it well.’
‘I can take you.’
They both looked up. Lucas was walking towards them. He had taken off his apron and was dressed casually in jeans and quite a tight-fitting white top. Willow noticed the bulge of his muscles under the material and had to quickly look away again.
‘Are you sure?’ Sapphire asked. ‘It would be great if you could, but don’t you have The Diner to manage?’
‘Things are a little slow at the moment, so Janice will be fine without me, I’m sure.’ He shrugged. Then his dark eyesfound Willow’s as he added, ‘I think I could use a change of scene anyway.’
Willow watched as Sapphire giggled in reply and linked her arm in his.
‘OK then,’ she gushed. ‘Why not.’
The two of them walked away. Two beautiful people were about to visit the most beautiful site in the world (in Willow’s eyes). They looked like they should be on a movie set.
She couldn’t ignore the burn of jealousy that suddenly ignited in her bones.
The afternoon dragged on, and Willow tried not to watch the clock as it became apparent that Lucas and Sapphire weren’t in any rush to get back. She wished it didn’t bother her so much as she continued to serve drinks. Lucas was an old school friend, who had ended up being a nightmare. Yeah OK, his looks had changed in the years since she had left the Falls – but that should have no impact on the way she felt about him. Willow frowned at the thought; she wasn’t that fickle, was she? But it was difficult to ignore the rush of attraction she felt every time she looked at the guy. It didn’t matter how annoying or moody he was being – Lucas was hot!
Willow decided to take a break during a quiet period and sat on the grass alongside the van, enjoying one of her own strawberry matchas. She chose to watch Jake’s recent viral videos to take her mind off Lucas.
I’m probably just missing him, she reasoned to herself. I’m probably just sexually frustrated or something. After all, it had been weeks and even the last time with Jake hadn’t been that satisfying.
God, was that all she needed? Just some good old-fashioned sex? She sipped her drink and smiled. Jake’s latest post was very inviting. He was clearly hot and dirty. His hair was slicked against his face, and he had that intense look going on that he thought was smoldering. Had she let a good thing go?
