17. Lucas
LUCAS
L ucas had been in the village for four weeks and during that time he’d tidied his father’s house, helped him with getting a Christmas tree and putting lights up in the windows and garden, and he’d spent some time with Thora.
Since they’d kissed at the café, they’d seemed to dance around each other cautiously, as if afraid that one fast move would unbalance them both.
The connection between them was electric though and whenever he saw Thora he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her again.
He wasn’t sure if she felt the same because she seemed nervous when he was nearby.
It could be desire, but it could be that she regretted the kiss, and that thought hurt him.
He never acted rashly, but kissing her like that at the café had been impulsive and like he’d lost control.
He’d been overwhelmed by some primal instinct and it had made him crave her like a drug he couldn’t cope without.
But it hadn’t just been physical. He’d wanted to connect with her on all levels in the way they used to do.
But now, he felt sure their connection was more powerful, the desire more potent than ever.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that…
Today he’d sent some work emails and had a brief online meeting with a client he needed to check on, then he’d made his father breakfast and taken him out for an hour around the village.
They were in The Book Nook and his father was sitting in one of the comfy armchairs with a cup of coffee and a selection of new paperbacks on the table next to him.
The sharp pine scent of the Christmas tree laced the air, along with the warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon from the dried fruit garlands hanging from its branches.
The lights on the tree and strung around the shop twinkled like tiny stars, casting their golden glow over the books.
They reflected in the glass baubles and the polished wooden floorboards, creating an atmosphere of soft, magical warmth.
Lucas was wandering around the shop browsing for some new reads when the door opened and Finn came in. He brought with him a gust of wintery air and behind the counter, Rosa gasped.
‘Goodness, it’s cold out there now!’ she said. ‘I’d better turn the heating up.’
‘The temperature has definitely dropped,’ Finn said.
‘Grab a warm drink, Finn,’ Rosa gestured at the coffee machine. ‘I’ve got a festive edition of the hot chocolate that’s delicious.’
‘Sounds good to me, thanks.’ Finn pulled off his hat and gloves and walked further into the shop. ‘Hello, Lucas.’
‘Finn.’ Lucas bobbed his head.
‘How are you today?’ Finn asked as he helped himself to a festive hot chocolate.
‘Not bad, thanks.’
‘Want one of these?’ Finn asked.
‘No thanks.’ Lucas shook his head.
Finn made himself a drink, then he joined Lucas.
‘Getting anything nice?’
‘A few new books. Something for Dad.’
‘Something for Thora?’ Finn asked, raising his eyebrows.
‘Wh-what?’ Lucas stepped back.
‘I know what happened, Lucas. It’s all good.’ Finn was grinning at him and Lucas looked over at his father, but the elderly man was engrossed in a book about lifeboats.
‘I’m not sure what you mean.’ Lucas rubbed the back of his neck.
‘Lucas, Thora told me. She’s trying to process everything, but she really cares about you. She said you’ve been spending time together since the … kiss… but that she feels you’re both holding back.’
‘It’s kind of hard to get time alone with her.’ Lucas sighed. ‘She works two jobs. We both have parents and she has the children and then there’s Barry.’
‘That’s life though, right? You have to make the time to be alone. And that applies even if you’re married and living together.’
Lucas licked his lips. ‘I guess so.’
‘Look … I’ve been wanting to catch up with you, but as you said, life is busy.
However, I’d hate to see you and Thora not try to work this out.
I’m not into meddling but I care about her and I want her to be happy and I think she could be happy with you.
I believe you two have something special that could be lost if you don’t explore it. ’
‘I agree.’ Lucas coughed, embarrassed to be discussing this with Thora’s ex-husband.
‘Anyway … between us, I’m planning a proposal for my boyfriend, Titus, and I’d love your help.’
‘You would?’ Lucas asked.
‘Yes. It will give you and Thora an excuse to spend some time together as she’s helping too, plus I’d like to get to know you better again. We used to get on well when we were kids, didn’t we?’
‘I thought so.’ Lucas nodded. He’d always liked Finn, and while he was surprised to hear Thora had married him, he understood that Finn was a nice guy. Clearly he was because he wanted Thora to be happy and was trying to help.
‘What, uhm … What are you planning for your proposal?’ Lucas asked. ‘I don’t have much experience of proposing, so I don’t know how much help I’ll be.’
‘Well, maybe in the future we can rectify that.’ Finn winked. ‘But for now, you can help and I’ll explain how.’
Then Finn leant in close and told Lucas what he was planning for his Christmas proposal and Lucas smiled because it sounded like an excellent idea.