Chapter 26
Lucas
Lucas spent most of the day trying to shake off the hangover that was refusing to let go like a clingy child.
His mood wasn’t improved by the fact that he had been so awful to Willow earlier.
It had been such a surprise to see her there on the doorstep; his weary brain hadn’t dealt with it at all well.
And now he was deeply regretting his life choices.
‘I should have called her back,’ he said to Mia, while pacing the small apartment. ‘I should have insisted she come in so that we could talk properly.’
Mia was lying on the couch with a pack of frozen peas on her head. She groaned softly. ‘Luc, are you going to talk about this all day?’
‘You said yourself I needed to talk to her?’
She lifted the pack and glared at him with bleary eyes.
‘Yeah, I did, but when do you ever take notice of me?’ She sighed dramatically and flopped back down.
‘Honestly, this is just like those crappy romance novels that Rachel loves so much. All the miscommunication and misunderstanding – it’s maddening. ’
‘And how do those novels work out?’
‘I dunno. Ask Rachel! She writes them,’ Mia replied dryly. ‘Or better still, write your own, I think you’ll nail it.’
Lucas contemplated trying to find Willow, but when she’d left his apartment, it looked like she was heading into town, so he had no idea where to find her. She could even be getting a bus over to the Ridge or someplace else. He considered calling her, but that seemed a bit too desperate.
So, he spent the day feeling restless instead. Trying to push back the niggling emotions that seemed to be overcoming him.
He decided he would visit her later, at the cabin. He would explain properly why he had been so moody lately and why it was so hard for him to have her back in town.
And he would hope that they could rebuild something – even if it was just the basis of a friendship again. He recognized Willow might not want anything more right now and he knew he would have to accept it.
Because anything less would drive him crazy.
Mia was getting ready to see Ernie at the Watering Hole.
Apparently, they had things to sort out before she started her job tomorrow.
Lucas couldn’t help but notice how much time she spent getting ready, carefully styling her hair and applying her makeup.
She had certainly lost the hungover sheen she had earlier.
‘I want to make a good impression,’ she insisted. ‘Ernie is giving me a chance here. I haven’t even worked in a bookstore before.’
‘You will be amazing at it,’ he replied casually. ‘The amount of books you read; I’d say this was your perfect job.’
Mia gave him a side-eye glare. ‘It’s not just selling books, Luc. I need to organize events and try and market the place. It needs help. This is my chance to shine.’
Lucas was tempted to press her further, like how come she was singing softly to herself as she got ready, and how come she had ignored at least two phone calls from Joshua.
Was this a sign that she really was content to stay here?
He decided, however, that it wasn’t worth the hassle to question Mia any further.
He just wanted to see her happy, and anyone that was taking the attention away from that idiot in New York was good enough for him.
‘What are you going to do tonight?’ Mia asked. ‘You can always join us if you like. Ernie loves you. He keeps telling me how hardworking you are.’
Lucas was already pulling his boots on. ‘I think I’ll take a walk. I need to clear my head. Maybe I can join you guys later.’
‘That’ll be nice.’ She cast him a sly smile. ‘Be sure to say hi to Willow from me when you see her.’
Lucas flashed Mia a crude hand gesture and then left the apartment, trying to ignore the unsettled feelings that flowed through him.
It was a warm spring evening, with that hint of summer in the air.
Lucas could smell the peaty scent of the earth as he trekked around the front of The Diner.
He loved this time of year, the promise of what was to come.
The mixture of fine weather and rainstorms – it kind of represented the human temperament, never constant, always changing – always moving towards something more positive.
He paused for a moment outside Willow’s wagon.
It seemed so out of place parked there on the asphalt, a bright flower in a desert of black.
A rush of emotion suddenly hit him hard in the gut.
How brave Willow had been to come here, to put her trust in this new business.
It couldn’t have been easy coming back, not even knowing if your idea was going to work or not.
Lucas remembered how much he had questioned this business when Willow had first proposed it, but now it made perfect sense. In fact, it was what Honey Springs needed. Something different, something vibrant, something new.
Lucas hated that it had taken until now for him to realize this.
He knew he needed to speak to Willow. He needed to properly explain why he had been acting the way he had. It wasn’t just that he was grieving his mom (although that was a huge part of it), but there was more. It was time that Willow knew the truth.
Lucas decided to take the longer route to her cabin, walking first through the town and then looping back. He wanted to make sure his words were well prepared first. He didn’t want there to be any more misunderstandings or confusion.
As he walked, he passed the Honey Pot Inn. An older couple that he didn’t recognize were just leaving, looking like they were about to go for a walk; they smiled in his direction and gave a polite nod. Ava Parker, who was on the doorstep watching them, waved Lucas over as he passed.
‘If you see that Willow Davis before me, please thank her. That couple were about to book over at the Ridge but then saw an article online and changed their minds! We are getting lots of phone calls about the summer too. Things are looking up.’
Lucas smiled. ‘That’s good, Ava – I’ll make sure I pass the message on.’
‘Not so good for you though,’ Ava mused. ‘Alice showed me the posts. There were no mentions of The Diner at all. I thought that was most unusual.’
Her beady little eyes were searching his, eager to secure any gossip she could find. Lucas folded his arms across his chest. He knew better than to play that game.
‘Any improvement for business in the town is good for me too,’ he said sweetly. ‘I’m sure The Diner will benefit as well.’
‘Let’s hope so – or else Willow’s little van will end up taking all your customers,’ she replied. ‘What is it they say, “this town ain’t big enough for the both of us”.’
‘Well, that’s the funny thing about Honey Springs; it’s bigger than it seems,’ Lucas said, a little colder now. ‘And its people look after each other. But thank you for your concern, Ava.’
He strode away, realizing that had been the first time he had leapt to Willow’s defense. But he had meant it.
Why hadn’t he been more supportive of her matcha van? Surely, the answer was to work together. That was what his mom always believed in – supportive and collaborative approaches.
Lucas really had messed this up so bad.
He approached the cabin slowly. Anxiety twisted like a tight fist in the pit of his gut. He took a couple of deep breaths.
What if she didn’t want to see him?
What if she told him to go away?
He closed his eyes briefly. This was crazy. Willow was a good person. She had been his friend for so long and he …
He let out another breath and knocked on the door.
Willow answered within seconds. Her face gave little away, but she didn’t shout or close the door – which was a start.
She was dressed in an oversized shirt and baggy sweatpants.
Her hair looked damp and was pulled away from her face, some brown curls spilling out against her glowing skin. She looked good.
Really good.
‘I wanted to apologize for earlier,’ he said immediately, wanting to get his words out quickly. ‘I was hungover and not thinking too straight.’
‘So I gathered.’ The smallest of smiles appeared, immediately giving him hope. ‘It’s no problem. I shouldn’t have rocked up so early. I’ve always been an early bird, I guess.’
‘So I gathered.’
They both laughed softly. Lucas rocked back on his heels, feeling unsure. Willow seemed to look him up and down. Then she opened the door a little further.
‘Hey, do you want to come in? I was making a hot chocolate, but I think I’ve put too much in the pan. There’s more than enough for two.’
Lucas rubbed his hands together. ‘It is starting to get chilly out here now. I could do with being warmed up a little.’
‘Really?’ Did she roll her eyes, or did he imagine that? ‘Come on in then. Let’s not let the evening chill in.’
Lucas had only been in Jenn’s cabin a handful of times and from what he could remember, it had been quite a minimal space.
It was clear Willow was a little more akin to Mia with her living standards.
Clothes were strewn over the couch. A few plates and cups were discarded on the small table in the living space; shoes were kicked off and left strewn on the floor.
Willow caught him looking and picked up a few sweaters from the arm of the chair.
‘Sit here. Don’t mind the mess. I’m sort of trying something?’
‘Trying something?’ Lucas was amused. What was she trying? Cluttering and disorganizing? Wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around?
Willow scuttled into the bedroom clutching the clothes. ‘It would sound stupid if I told you.’
‘Try me.’
He settled in the chair. It was really comfortable. He crossed his legs and studied Willow as she stepped back into the space. Her cheeks had colored a little.
‘Let me finish the hot chocolate,’ she said. ‘I’m kind of thirsty.’
Lucas watched as she busied herself in the small kitchen area. ‘Are you sure you don’t need any help?’