Chapter 32
Harper
When I wake up in the morning, Luke is still asleep, his body curled up to the wall, probably exactly like I had been. My body is sore from staying in the same position all night, but I was afraid to move and roll into Luke.
I need space from him, but for all the wrong reasons. It isn’t because he did anything wrong, but because he does everything right.
Luke likes Cassie. Luke likes me, but not in the same way. Luke apparently feels loyal enough to me to take me out to a place that probably would have been better for him to take Cassie, but he didn’t want me to be alone and miss out on the northern lights, which didn’t happen anyway.
I climb out of bed and make my way over to the kitchen counter, trying to be quiet as I look for something to eat.
We’ve been good about eating sandwiches for lunch and only eating out for dinner, but breakfast has been provided by the hotel.
There’s a tiny bit of anger searing under my skin, thinking of how Luke went out of his way to go grocery shopping with Cassie but didn’t bother to grab anything for breakfast. I start digging through the food cabinets of the Airbnb, surprised by how much previous guests have left behind, and find a box of pancake mix that’s practically brand new, and next to it, a jug of maple syrup.
I start cooking as quietly as I can, and then I hear a groggy voice.
“We have pancake mix?”
I jump a little, surprised to see Luke has rolled over. His hair is pushed to one side, his bed head making some of it stick straight up. He still looks half asleep, confused, and admittedly, sexy.
I stumble over my words. “I found it in one of the cabinets.”
Luke rubs his face, trying to wake up. He sits up, looking more closely at what I’m doing. “You’re eating someone’s pancake mix that they left behind?”
I blink and look at the pancake that’s in front of me. I checked the expiration date, but the packaging was already open and used.
“Well, it isn’t expired, but I guess I can’t guarantee it’s not poisoned.”
He lets out a soft chuckle that puts my stomach into a knot. “I’m sure it’s fine.” He stands up and makes his way to the bathroom.
I turn back to the pancakes, but there’s a knock at the door.
Since this place is so small, I can lean forward to unlock the door and reveal Cassie.
Her red hair is perfectly braided, the long end sticking out from a purple beanie.
Her face is flushed and fresh, like she put on makeup just to come to our front door.
Doesn’t she have a plane to catch?
“Want pancakes?” I say, mostly because Luke probably wouldn’t appreciate if I told her to go away. It’s not like we have enough seating for three people in here.
“No, I’m heading out soon.” She tries to look over my shoulder. “Where’s Luke?”
“Bathroom.”
She seems disappointed. “Tell him I need help with something,” she says, and then steps back toward her bus, shutting the front door behind her.
Almost as soon as the door closes, Luke steps out of the bathroom.
“Who was that?”
I’m tempted to reply with “your girlfriend,” but I keep the thought to myself.
“Cassie. She said she needed something.” I turn back to the pancakes, and when I flip one over, the side is a little burnt. Thanks, Cassie.
“I’ll be right back,” he says, pulling his jacket on and slipping into his shoes. The door closes with a quiet click, and I’m left alone.
There’s a big window to my back, and I have to restrain myself from turning to look. I’d left the window shades closed, so any hope of a quick peek is out of the question. If I want to spy, I’ll have to peer through the slits of the blinds and hope they don’t notice.
Not that they’ll be looking my way. Cassie probably just wants to say goodbye before leaving for the airport.
I try to dismiss the thought of the goodbye kiss that is probably happening on the other side of the doorway.
Worst of all, Cassie lives in Massachusetts. On the other side of the state, sure, but if Luke wants to see her again, he can.
The thought leaves an aching feeling in my chest.
Would he want to see her again?