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I stared down at Omari, who was leaning casually back in his seat, rocking on the two back legs.
“Chair,” I said automatically, then my brain caught up. “Friend? What friend?”
“Y’know. Luke. He’s alright, he is. He came down to play football with me and my boys.”
“Luke was here?” I stared at him dumbly.
“Yeah.” He pulled out his phone and started tapping on the screen, clearly bored with the conversation.
“B—but how? Why?” I fired questions at him, confused.
He sighed. “I dunno. That first time he came here with you, I told him me and the boys have a kickaround at the weekends and he could come down if he wanted to. So he must’ve decided to.” He shrugged, not looking up from his phone screen. His phone rang as he was holding it, blaring out some ridiculously loud ringtone, and I jumped.
“Mate!” he shouted into the phone, grinning at my reaction. “Yeah. On my way.” Springing up from his seat, he was gone, calling a hurried “see ya” over his shoulder as he left.
I couldn’t believe Luke had come to the youth centre. Had made a decision, on his own, to come here. My thoughts churned, wishing I knew more. But with the way things were between us, I doubted I’d get any answers.
30
Olivia
My week away from normality had put everything into perspective for me. I was ready and able to face the world again. Seeing Luke would be the hardest part, but I had to force myself. Unless one or the other of us decided to work somewhere else, we’d see each other five days a week. And there was no way I was quitting. I loved my job, and I couldn’t see myself working anywhere else, ever. You can do this, I chanted under my breath, as the lift carried me up to the eighteenth floor. The
building was still quiet—I’d purposely arrived early to give myself time to get settled.
On autopilot, I headed into the kitchen to make myself a latte. Opening the cupboard, I scanned the shelves but couldn’t see my favourite Better Latte Than Never mug. I reached up on my tiptoes, trying to see the top shelf, swearing under my breath. Why do they put cupboards so high on the wall? Don’t they think about short people?
“I’ll get it.” The low voice came from behind me, and a muscular arm brushed past mine, reaching into the top shelf and retrieving my mug.
Goosebumps erupted all over my body, and my stomach flipped. I took a deep, steadying breath, trying to compose myself, and immediately wished I hadn’t. His scent surrounded me, and he was standing so close I could feel his body heat. Gripping the edge of the counter for dear life, I closed my eyes and willed myself to act normal.
As if he knew the effect he was having on me, he placed the mug down and moved to the opposite counter, creating some breathing room. I turned around to face him. Fuck, this is hard.
I loved this man.
Yet, he didn’t return my love.
“Thank you.” My voice came out steady, and I’d never been so thankful. Steeling myself, I raised my eyes to meet his.
“You’re welcome.” His tone was stilted. “Uh…Liv, can I have a quick word with you?”
Okay, we were going to do this.
“Yes.”
He exhaled heavily and dropped his gaze, shuffling his feet. “I wanted to apologise for the way I acted. I hope we can move past it.”
Anger and hurt arrowed through me at his words. How could he make me fall in love with him, when he knew he couldn’t commit? Why did this have to be so hard?
I guess I wasn’t as prepared for this as I thought.
Taking a deep breath, I struggled to collect myself. “I’d like to move past it. To be one hundred percent honest with you, I don’t think we can ever go back to being friends again, but I’m hopeful we can work together as colleagues, without the animosity.”
He nodded. “Good. That’s what I was hoping, too.” He bit his lip uncertainly. “Liv…I know I acted like a complete wanker, but I want to put it all behind us. We’re professionals, and we can treat each other with respect. We can’t go back to hating each other—Ethan will have our heads, for a start.” He gave me a wry grin and held out his hand to me. “Truce?”
Truce. The last thing I wanted. I stared at his gorgeous face, sadness filling me. He didn’t love me, didn’t want me, but I had to remember I was strong enough to deal with it. I hope. I wouldn’t let him hurt me again, ever.
“Truce.” Reaching out my hand, I placed it in his. Electricity danced between us, and shivers ran up and down my spine.
