‘It’s good to have you back anyway,’ he said, flashing her a hopeful grin. ‘Are you planning on sticking around for a while?’
‘Yeah, maybe.’ She threw the damp towel on the sofa in typical Mia fashion. Lucas tried not to flinch. ‘And also – what’s the situation with Jenn? I went to the cabin andWillow was there. Scared the hell out of me!’ Mia gasped. ‘Isn’t she the one that you—’
Lucas quickly interrupted her. ‘I don’t want to go into that now. We were friends a long time ago, that’s all.’ He flopped down next to her. ‘Then she got with Jake, and everything changed.’
Mia snorted. ‘Sounds like you’re still hung up on her.’
‘Sounds like you need to keep your nose out of my business.’ Lucas kept his tone light but he was rattled. ‘So, you went round there?’
‘Yeah, I think she was as surprised to see me as I was to see her. I was hoping to crash at Jenn’s, but I’m guessing that won’t be an option now.’
‘Jenn’s gone traveling. She sold her van to Willow. Now Willow’s selling matcha drinks in my parking lot.’
Mia puffed out a breath. ‘Wow, I love matcha! I’ll be checking that out. I can’t believe Jenn actually went through with it though. She’s been talking about traveling for years.’
‘I guess she finally got brave …’
Mia was fiddling with a loose thread on her skirt; she looked wistfully off into the distance. ‘Yeah, I guess she did.’
Lucas sighed and stood up, clapping his hands together. ‘So, I guess you are planning to stay here then?’
She looked at him hopefully; her head tipped to one side. ‘If that’s OK?’
‘Sure. As long as you clean up after yourself. I’m not living with a pig.’
Mia pulled a face. ‘You are such a nag; do you know that?’
‘And I guess you’re still not going to tell me why you’re here.’
She offered him a small smile. ‘Not yet, Luc. I’m tired. I just need sleep right now. I can talk tomorrow, OK?’
‘Sure.’ He shrugged. ‘It can wait till then.’
Because what else could he say?
Lucas was whipping up some maple pancakes, Mia’s favorite breakfast dish. Mia was taking a shower and singing tunelessly against the sound of water. He smiled; his mind immediately transported back to when they were teens and growing up here together. The apartment had seemed so hollow and empty without his sister and mom here and although there were three years between them, Lucas and Mia were pretty close. He hadn’t realized how much he had missed her until her chaotic ways had suddenly appeared back into his life again.
Mia was ready at the same time as the pancakes and slipped into her seat with a huge grin on her face.
‘Just like Mamma used to make,’ Lucas told her warmly. ‘Dig in.’
Mia stabbed at them, syrup oozed out like lava from a mini volcano. She giggled. ‘Mom never did worry about the calories, did she?’
‘No.’ Lucas slid into the chair opposite. ‘What was it she used to say. If something makes you feel good—’
‘How can it be bad!’ Mia finished for him. She took a forkful and groaned in pleasure.
‘Oh my! These really are as good as the ones Mom used to make …’
‘I’m not sure I could ever reach her levels …’
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying breakfast. Lucas felt like his body was finally relaxing and softening – it was both pleasant and oddly unsettling. Mia had left for New York shortly after Mel died, claiming it was too much still being here. They stayedin touch, of course, but it wasn’t really the same. Lucas had honestly missed having his sister around.
It had been raining nonstop all night, but now the weather had cleared and dappled golden beams of sunlight spread into the apartment. Lucas liked to keep at least one window open; the fresh scent of the mountains blended with the pine trees was soothing. He felt it was important to keep some of the outside in.
Mia studied Lucas. ‘It’s Sunday, so unless you’ve changed the opening hours, The Diner is closed for a few hours. So, how do you plan spending this morning?’
‘Well, I was hoping that you might answer why you’re here first?’
