‘Yeah, you’re tidy, but Jake is far more. He likes—’
‘Control?’
Willow shrugged. ‘I guess.’
Lucas took a sip of his drink. It was sweeter than he had expected, and the warmth flooded his mouth. Maybe it helped loosen his tongue a little.
‘That doesn’t sound like much fun.’
Willow studied him for a moment. Her eyes looked less sharp, more tired. She sighed softly.
‘I shouldn’t be talking to you about this. I’m sorry. I’m all over the place.’
‘Join the club. I know how that feels.’
Her expression softened. She placed her mug on the table and moved forward a little. ‘Luc, I really am sorry for not remembering your mom’s anniversary. I knew the date, of course I did, but the days are just flying by at the moment. I wish you had said something though.’
Lucas pressed his lips together. ‘I couldn’t, Willow. I wanted to, but I find it so hard, even talking about her. Even now. I think you coming back has made it harder.’
‘Really? Why?’
That fist in his gut tightened again. He knew this would be hard but didn’t figure it would hurt quite as much as it did. His grip on the warm mug tightened; he kind of needed the burn.
‘Because you remind me of how things used to be back then. Before my mom got ill … Back when we were friends. When I—’
‘We were such good friends, weren’t we?’ Willow interrupted, her eyes sparkling. ‘I’ve been thinking of that too. How much I miss it. What happened the other night – it was unexpected, but good—’
‘It was?’ Lucas could actually feel his heart leap. ‘I was so worried.’
‘Worried about what?’
‘I dunno – that you might have regretted it? That it was too soon after Jake?’
Willow lowered her gaze. ‘I guess things did move faster than I expected, but I don’t regret it. I just don’t know what keeps happening to us, Luc? We were close before and it all went wrong and now this. It feels like we are getting each other wrong. I don’t understand it.’
Lucas shifted in his seat. He put his mug on the floor by his feet and drew out a long breath. ‘I do.’
She frowned a little. ‘What? What was it? If it was something I did, Luc, I want to know.’ She reached forward and took his hands in hers. Their skin was so warm, but together the heat grew. Lucas felt prickles of electricity spark up his arms. It was all he could do not to pull her onto his lap.
To hold her properly.
To kiss her again.
To pull off that baggy top and reveal her body underneath – to kiss her all over, drink in every inch of her, stroke her soft skin, ease her sweatpants down …
He shook his head. He could feel himself getting aroused and now was not the time.
‘What happened to us, Luc?’ she breathed.
‘I—’
Then a resounding sound pierced through. Willow jumped back, releasing his hands.
‘Oh, my phone,’ she said, immediately looking around for it. ‘It’s probably Jake. He likes to keep me updated on his work.’
‘Does he call you every day?’ Lucas couldn’t hide his surprise.
‘Sure,’ she replied. ‘I told you before, he’s still my friend, Luc. We ended on good terms.’
