18. April 2024
18
April 2024
S unlight filtered in around the curtains, casting a dreamlike haze across Willow’s bedroom. It took her a moment to register the empty space beside her, where Vaughn had been. The scent of his cologne clung to the linen, stirring memories from the night. Her body still hummed with all the sensations of him. Never had she been so worshipped beneath the sheets. Never had she been so thoroughly… devoured.
Rolling over, she listened for him within the house, but all was silent. The humming sensation was replaced with uncertainty. Surely he wouldn’t leave without telling her.
Slipping from the bed, she pulled on some shorts and a jumper, then went in search of him, relieved to find him out on the balcony. He was leaning on the guardrail, smoking while talking on his mobile. Every couple of drags, he would flick the ash from his cigarette into a nearby potted plant, careful not to make a mess. Willow smiled to herself.
When he was done with the cigarette, he turned and leaned his back against the rail, catching sight of her through the glass. She lifted her hand in a wave, and he winked at her while carrying on his conversation.
Willow headed into the kitchen and filled the kettle, then went about making coffee. Her gaze kept returning to the balcony, a childish excitement rising in her each time he looked in her direction. She was still getting her head around the fact that he had stayed. He’d chosen her over common sense.
They had chosen each other.
Once Vaughn was finished with his phone call, he lit another cigarette and watched Willow through the glass as he smoked. She picked up the two mugs and carried them out, expertly opening the door with her elbow before he had a chance to help.
‘I don’t know how you take your coffee,’ she said, ‘but I can add milk and sugar if you want it. Though I only have soy milk.’
He put his cigarette out and took the mug extended to him. ‘Black, no sugar.’
‘Then I nailed it.’ She settled next to him.
He drank, swallowing it down like it contained razor blades.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.
He pressed a fist to his mouth. ‘What is this?’
‘What do you mean? It’s coffee.’
‘That’s not coffee.’
She laughed. ‘Well, well, well. Looks like we have ourselves a coffee snob.’
‘Is this’—he peered into the cup—‘instant?’
More laughter. ‘You struggle to even say the word. Yes, it’s instant—and quite drinkable.’
‘I politely disagree.’
‘For the record, nothing about that was polite.’ She took a moment to admire him in the early-morning sunlight. ‘I won’t be offended if you don’t drink it.’
‘Good.’ He promptly set the mug down, then turned to kiss her forehead. ‘You sleep okay?’
‘I could have done with a few extra hours, but I’m certainly not complaining.’
He met her gaze, eyes smiling. ‘Any complaints will be dealt with promptly.’
She bit back a smile, then drank from her mug. ‘Are you working already?’
He nodded. ‘Didn’t wake you, did I?’
‘No. I need to be at the studio in an hour.’ That was when she noticed his clean and freshly ironed shirt and different trousers to the ones from the night before. ‘Where did you get clean clothes from?’
‘Finn dropped them off earlier.’
Her eyebrows rose. ‘Does that poor man ever sleep?’
‘In short bursts.’ He turned to her properly. ‘I’m going to find you somewhere to live with working lifts and a concierge.’
At first she laughed, then registered his serious expression. ‘What are you talking about? I’m not moving. I’m perfectly happy here.’
‘I know that, but I need you happy and safe.’
She took a sip of her coffee. ‘We’re about twelve hours into this undefined relationship.’
‘Too soon?’
‘A little.’
His expression remained serious. ‘I warned you everything would change once we crossed that line.’
She watched him over the rim of her mug. ‘Why don’t we start with a proper date rather than a house move?’
He combed his fingers through her hair, clearly not used to people telling him no. ‘Fine. How about dinner on Wednesday night? Somewhere with a view.’
‘How about rowing on Wednesday morning ? Up-close view of the river.’
His eyebrows came together in a firm line. ‘You were serious about that?’
‘Absolutely. I need access to the parts of your life where I’m allowed .’
He reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear. ‘Fine. I’ll take you rowing. Finn will pick you up at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday.’ His phone vibrated, and he glanced at the screen. ‘I’ll take this inside so you can enjoy your cup of black slurry out here.’
Willow watched him walk inside. These were the phone calls he’d been referring to, the ones she would never be privy to, the ones that would eventually drive her to resent him. She wondered if that were true, and if it were, how long it would take her to get to that stage.
Turning, she looked out at the city. The hum of traffic drifted up from the streets below. The mornings had turned chilly now that autumn was in full swing. She took a large drink for warmth, trying not to think about the potentially illegal business dealings happening inside her apartment at that moment.
The sound of the glass doors sliding open had her looking over her shoulder. She expected to see Vaughn, but it was Lili.
‘Um, why did Inky Capo just let me into your apartment?’ she asked once the door was firmly closed behind her. ‘Did he leave after dinner, then return for breakfast?’
It was clear she already knew the answer to that loaded question.
‘Never mind,’ Lili said when Willow went to speak. ‘The state of your hair and that ridiculous glow tell me everything I need to know.’ She took the mug from Willow’s hand, drank, then handed it back. ‘I came to see if you wanted to come for a run, but you have company .’
Willow leaned back against the guardrail, eyes on Vaughn, who was slowly pacing in the living room. ‘I don’t think I’ll have time.’
Lili watched her with a concerned look on her face. ‘I want to be happy for you, but I’m genuinely terrified on your behalf.’
‘I know.’ Willow passed the coffee back to her. ‘And I don’t blame you.’
Lili glanced in Vaughn’s direction before saying. ‘Did he tell you what happened to his face?’
Willow shook her head.
Lili put the coffee down on the table. ‘I don’t want to be that friend?—’
‘But?’
Getting her phone out, Lili searched for something, then handed it to Willow. ‘I saw this news article a few days ago. I didn’t show you because you weren’t sleeping with a mafia member at the time.’
The headline was ‘Merit Group Linked to Chinatown Shooting.’
A cold sensation washed over Willow as she read the article. The timing matched the age of Vaughn’s bruising. She handed the phone back to Lili. ‘His name isn’t mentioned.’
Lili tilted her head in a condescending way. ‘I’m not saying he shot the man, but you can’t bury your head in the sand and pretend it isn’t a possibility either.’
She was right. Of course she was right. But admitting it only validated Willow’s own fears about the relationship, and she wasn’t prepared to do that.
They jumped at the sound of the door opening. Vaughn stilled, looking between them. ‘Everything all right?’ he asked.
Lili locked her phone and shoved it into her pocket. ‘Fine. I just came to see if Willow wanted to go for a run, but it seems she’s already gotten her cardio in for the day.’
Willow pressed her eyes closed. ‘Thanks for that.’
‘I need to head off,’ Vaughn said, crossing the balcony and kissing Willow on the cheek. ‘Run if you want to run. Just be careful.’ He turned to leave. ‘I’ll call you tonight.’
‘Okay.’ Lili’s scrutinising stare remained on her. Vaughn was nearly at the front door when Willow went after him. ‘Wait!’
He turned with a questioning look.
She didn’t really know how to start the conversation or if she was even allowed to have it. ‘Are you in trouble?’
His eyebrows lifted slightly. ‘Why would you ask that?’
‘I saw an article from one of the newspapers,’ she blurted. ‘About a shooting in Chinatown.’
Nothing changed on his face. ‘You saw, or Lili showed it to you?’
‘It’s been linked to the Merit Group,’ she continued without answering him.
He hooked a finger under her chin, locking eyes with her. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Asking a question.’
‘A question you know I can’t answer.’ His eyes searched hers. ‘You have to be okay with that.’
‘I am okay with it.’
His hand fell away. ‘Ignore the media. Don’t waste your time trying to decipher truth from lies.’
‘So they’re lies?’
He angled his head. ‘Willow?—’
‘How will I know when they’re lying?’
His expression softened. ‘You won’t.’ He leaned in and kissed her. ‘I have to go.’ He exited the apartment, closing the door behind him.
Willow stared at the door for a long moment. When she turned, her eyes met Lili’s through the glass. Her friend exhaled heavily before making her way inside.
‘I’m sorry,’ Lili said. ‘I ruined your good mood.’
Willow shook her head. ‘You’re allowed, because I’m clearly in over my head.’
Lili appeared sympathetic. ‘Is this going to be one of those life lessons you learn the hard way?’
‘Probably.’ The least she could do was be honest with her.
Lili sighed noisily. ‘Then you leave me no choice. I’ll have to wait in the wings, ready to collect every broken piece of you.’ She shrugged. ‘What are friends for, right?’
Willow pulled her into a hug. ‘No one’s breaking anyone.’ It didn’t come out as confident as she would have liked.
Lili hugged her back. ‘Not true. If he hurts you, I’m going to break both his kneecaps.’
Soft laughter came from Willow. ‘You’re so gangster.’
‘You better warn your new boyfriend that I’m not playing.’
Willow pressed her eyes closed. ‘Thank you.’