Chapter 9
Willow
Willow was preparing to say goodbye to Jenn. Even though she had only been with her for such a short time, they had easily picked up right where they left off. It was hard to see her go.
After having a quick breakfast at The Diner, Jenn had gone to collect her things and now they were back, so Jenn could say goodbye to her beloved van.
‘Lucas doesn’t seem very happy about the whole arrangement,’ Willow whispered. ‘Are you sure you cleared it with him first?’
‘Well, yes – I mean, I told him about my plans originally and he didn’t seem that bothered. He has been a little distracted recently though, not as happy maybe? Probably just him being his normal, grumpy self again.’
‘Do you think it’s me? Because I’m taking it over?’
‘Why would it?’ Jenn said with a laugh. ‘You’re overthinking. Lucas is just moody. He wouldn’t be happy if a beautiful fairy godmother appeared and granted him golden coins and unlimited sex.’
Willow nodded, but it was hard to fight back her concerns. Lucas had never been grumpy, or unhappy, back in the day. He had been quiet when they were children – thoughtful and a bit of a dreamer. But grumpy – that didn’t seem like him at all. Could a person really change that much?
‘Has he been like this since Mel died?’ she asked carefully.
Jenn considered for a moment. ‘Maybe. I mean, it did hit him hard. He stuck around for a while, but it didn’t seem to help and then he took off to New York. When he came back, he seemed … different.’
‘In what way?’
‘I dunno. I don’t exactly go out of my way to chat with him. He’s always glued to Greg or Rachel. I guess he just seemed a bit more shut off. Maybe he was disappointed that city life didn’t pay off.’
‘Or upset to be coming back?’
‘Maybe …’
‘Either way, I’m worried that he might be against me running the matcha van,’ Willow mused. ‘It’s right on his doorstep after all.’
‘Why does it matter? You don’t need his permission now. I’ve already had his permission to run the van from the parking lot. He can’t go back on his word now and he wouldn’t anyway; that’s not like him at all.’
‘That’s true …’
‘And if you bring in business it should benefit him, right? It’s not like you’re selling the same stuff.’
‘I guess …’
Jenn pulled Willow in for a hug. ‘You need to stop worrying so much, honestly. It’s all going to be fine and if Lucas is grumpy about it, so be it! He isn’t going to stop you. You can’t let a man get to you.’
Willow leaned in against her. ‘You’re right. This feels so right. I’m not going let him get into my head.’
Because right now, Willow was here to clear her mind, not make it more confused. She just needed to remember that.
‘Come on,’ Jenn said, adjusting the strap on her bag. ‘Let’s go inside. I want to say goodbye to the boys. You never know, they might even miss me …’
‘Are you ever going to tell me what’s going on with you and Greg?’ Willow teased. ‘There’s such a weird vibe there.’
‘He’s a weird vibe!’
Jenn sighed and then turned towards Willow. ‘OK – so, we kind of got a bit close, a few years ago – but it was nothing. Honestly, it wasn’t a big deal.’
Willow was aware that her mouth had fallen open but had no way of controlling it. ‘What do you mean you got close? Are we talking dating here? Sex? Oh God, Jenn, did you have sex with him and break his heart?’
Jenn burst into laughter. ‘Hey! It was nothing like that. And don’t look at me like that, honestly you have such a bad view of me!
We were just close, that’s all. It was nothing sexual.
’ She pulled a face and Willow giggled alongside her.
‘I was working at the Watering Hole then, helping him with a few shifts. It was pretty much after Mel died, so Lucas had shut himself off from everyone. I guess Greg and I got a little closer. We would talk after the bar had closed. Open up about stuff.’
Willow shook her head, confused. ‘So, why did it all turn sour? I mean, that sounds really sweet …’
Jenn looked suddenly sheepish. ‘I may have messed things up slightly—’
‘What? How?’
‘One night, things did progress a little. We kind of kissed and Greg admitted that he was developing feelings for me. I wasn’t really sure how I felt.’ Jenn shook her head. ‘It was a weird, messed-up time. I needed to think. I mean, he really isn’t my type …’
‘So, you thought about it?’ Willow reasoned. ‘What happened? Did you break his heart? Oh, Jenn, you did, didn’t you!’
‘I didn’t mean to. I was drunk and I was talking to Mia, Lucas’s sister—’
Willow giggled. ‘I remember her well, she was always such an annoying kid, trying to interrupt my and Lucas’s games. We spent half our time trying to hide from her! I don’t really remember her in high school much though.’
‘She’s nice. You’d really like her,’ Jenn insisted.
‘Anyway – she was back checking on Lucas, and we ended up going out and getting a little drunk together. We started off at the Hole, but then I needed to get away from Greg – it was all so intense. We ended up having this drunk chat on the benches by the park. I was playing things down because I didn’t want her to go all matchmaker on me and I may have been a little too harsh. And a little too loud …’
‘Oh, Jenn, please don’t tell me—’
‘Alice Parker was right behind us, walking that stupid little dog of hers and she took much joy in relaying all the information back to Greg. He was devastated and he hasn’t really spoken to me since.’
‘Didn’t you try and explain to him?’
Jenn pulled a face. ‘What would be the point? I kind of figured that Greg would be too good for me anyway. I’d only end up screwing him up, like I screw most things up. It’s better this way, really.’
‘Aw, that’s awful. Your friendship was ruined.’
She nodded. ‘Yeah, that’s the saddest thing, but I’m hoping in time, it’ll get better. I really didn’t mean to hurt him. It’s just my stupid self-defensive thing getting everything wrong again. Also, he has acted like a jerk too. He won’t talk about it at all.’
‘I guess he’s hurt.’
‘Yeah, maybe.’ Jenn started to walk towards The Diner. ‘Just trust me on this, Willow, if you find a decent guy, hold onto them because I think they’re pretty rare. Hopefully, you have it with Jake.’
‘Yeah, maybe I do.’ Willow smiled back.
But it felt like a mask.
Jenn stood at the counter, a backpack slung on her shoulder and a smaller bag at her feet. Lucas was smiling back at her. Willow was really going to miss her. Jenn brought a spark and burst of light to her life that she realized she badly needed.
Lucas walked around to the front of the counter and pulled her into a hug.
‘You take care of yourself, yeah? I wanna see lots of photos,’ he told her. ‘And don’t go getting lost.’
‘Oh, I probably will. This is me after all.’ She grinned shyly back at him. ‘I’ll miss you, Luc. And say goodbye to Mia for me, yeah?’
‘I will.’
‘You’ll look after yourself, won’t you?’ Jenn urged, tugging his arm. ‘I worry about you.’
‘I’ll be fine. I’m happy enough,’ he grunted back.
‘Seriously? Tell that to your face,’ Jenn joked. ‘And look after Willow for me, Lucas. She’s a great asset. People need new things in the town, and you never know, she might cheer you up.’
Willow felt her cheeks burn. She glared at Jenn.
‘I don’t need cheering up, Jenn, but thanks anyway,’ Lucas muttered.
Jenn raised an eyebrow. ‘You’ve been wandering around with a dark cloud over your head for too long, Luc. I know the mean and moody look really suits you, but it must get wearing after a while. Anyway – weren’t you and Willow really good friends once? You need to pick that up again …’
‘Jenn,’ Willow hissed. ‘I’m sure Lucas doesn’t need a lecture.’
Lucas shrugged. ‘Anyway, we were just kids then.’
‘So, what happened?’ Jenn turned to them both. ‘Friendship is important. You shouldn’t let a good thing like that go.’
Willow wasn’t sure how to answer; she still didn’t even really know the answer! She watched as Lucas walked back behind the counter. He seemed casual, almost uncaring.
‘We grew up. I guess people change,’ he said finally.
Willow was just about to ask him what he meant by that, when the door jingled and Greg strode in. He had his hands in his pockets and was clearly attempting to look like he was unbothered about the situation, but Willow could tell he had styled his hair and was wearing smart clothes.
Jenn smiled loosely in his direction. ‘Hey Greg! Come to give me some abuse before I go?’
Greg pulled a face. ‘I wouldn’t even dream of demeaning myself,’ he said, pulling himself up on one of the stools. ‘I just wanted a coffee, that’s all. No big deal.’
‘I’ll miss you, Greggy,’ Jenn replied sweetly. ‘Your sunny disposition keeps me going every day. Hey! I think you two should set up a band or something – you could be the new Blues Brothers.’
‘Very funny!’ Lucas shot back at her, clearly looking a bit put out.
‘Well, as lovely as this is, I really need to go now!’ Jenn declared. ‘The bus out of here is notoriously late as we know.’
Greg coughed. ‘I could give you a ride – I mean, if you’re desperate?’
‘You’ll give me a ride? In Billy? Are you sure you trust me?’
Greg sighed. ‘Yeah, I can trust you to be a passenger. And I guess this way at least I can really make sure you are leaving.’
Jenn took Willow to one side to say a final goodbye. They hugged briefly. Her heart felt heavy.
‘You will be OK,’ Jenn whispered. ‘I promise.’
‘It’s crazy, but I suddenly feel so lonely.’
Jenn chuckled softly. ‘You’re never alone in Honey Springs and that guy over there.’ She flapped her hand in Lucas’s direction. ‘He adores you. It’s clear to anyone. Just give him time.’
Willow followed her gaze. All she could see was Lucas glaring in her direction. She wasn’t quite sure how Jenn could be so confident, but this didn’t feel like the right time to challenge her.
Jenn shouted another loud goodbye and Lucas waved at her and Greg walked out. Greg was clearly muttering under his breath; he had been saddled with all her bags.
Willow stood alone for a moment in the middle of the room, watching them go. Then she moved slowly towards the counter. Her smile felt shy, her body awkward.
‘That was nice of Greg to offer to take her.’
Lucas shrugged. ‘Despite appearances, Greg is a nice guy. He wouldn’t want her to miss her flight or anything.’
Willow nodded. She chewed on the side of her lip.
‘Hey, do you want a drink or something?’ Lucas asked a little more gently.
‘No. I should get back to the van. Make some plans for tomorrow.’ She paused. ‘I guess I should post something on social media soon. I’ve been kind of avoiding that.’
‘Really?’ Lucas replied, sounding surprised. ‘I thought that was your thing?’
‘It was for a bit, but I guess I got burnt out by it.’ She chuckled dryly. ‘This is meant to be my escape from it all – something a bit more wholesome and I dunno, real … but even this is going to need marketing and promotion.’
‘What about Jake then?’ he asked carefully. ‘Is he staying in the city?’
‘Oh yeah. He’s doing so well. I’m really proud of him,’ she said, attempting to sound confident.
She didn’t want Lucas to think she was potentially failing at everything – work, life, love …
‘Well, that’s great.’ He grinned back, nodding.
‘You left here too, didn’t you? Jenn mentioned it. She said you went to New York?’
He seemed to hesitate.
‘Yeah, not for long.’
‘How come you came back so soon?’ she asked lightly. ‘And how come you took over this place? Because no offense, Lucas, but I never would have expected to see you here. Didn’t you have bigger dreams? Didn’t you want to—’
‘You know nothing about me,’ he suddenly snapped, those dark eyes flashing. ‘You don’t know, Willow. You never did. I’m happy here. This was always the plan.’
And without another word, he stormed into the backroom, leaving Willow standing alone.