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5
Ihadn’t spoken to Luke in days, nor did I want to. I hated the way he treated me like a child and not the grown woman I had become. Would he ever see me as someone other than his best friend’s little sister?
We managed to avoid each other until we both returned to the scene of the crime a week later. Their Friday trade had doubled since my gigs began and I wasn’t going to ruin that for them by not showing up, regardless of Luke’s stupidity.
In my passive-aggressive manner, I made sure my song selection hit just the right note with Luke and I’m pretty sure he could see the pattern. I played a mixture of covers and originals, and watched him pause and reflect on each song. Sometimes he raised his eyebrows, angrily clenched his jaw, or simply remained expressionless. The latter was the worst.
I left as quickly as I arrived and made no further effort to interact with Luke whilst I was there.
* * *
On Saturday morning, I was relaxing in the kitchen and had just taken a bite out of my sandwich when Luke came breezing through the back door. He must have been helping my dad and Nate in the back paddock, fixing something I had no interest in.
He was shirtless, and his bare chest was glistening with sweat. My breath caught at the sight and I made every effort not to stare. I had seen him shirtless many times before, especially on the farm, but these days it had an entirely different effect on me. I noticed every detail. His well-defined muscles, his natural tan from working out in the sun, the fine hairs on his chest and the way the sweat rolled down his waist to his…God help me.
Mum poured Luke a cold drink and handed it to him. He drank it all in one hit and I watched the way his Adam’s apple moved up and down as the water slid down his throat.
He placed the glass back on the bench and caught me observing him. His mouth twitched and he nodded a greeting. I disregarded it and continued eating my lunch.
“Thanks, June,” he said, ignoring me.
Mum refilled his glass. “I didn’t realise you were out there today.”
“They called me over to help with a few things, but I’m heading back home now.”
“Well, don’t go without having some lunch first.”
I groaned inwardly and Luke quickly glanced my way. I took another bite of my sandwich and he politely declined. Unfortunately, my mum could never take no for an answer and Luke was too well mannered to argue with her, so he parked himself on the stool beside me.
Mum lifted two plates of food into her arms. “Natalie, can you make Luke a sandwich please, I’m going to take these out to the boys.”
“Sure,” I replied overly brightly, pushing myself up from the bench. “What would you like, Luke? Oh wait…” I smiled. “I know exactly what you want.”
Rubbing in his words satisfied me greatly. Luke pursed his lips and chose not to speak.
I proceeded to prepare him a lunch similar to my own, but couldn’t resist making his a little…tastier. I grinned to myself as I blatantly shook entirely too much pepper into his sandwich.
I slid the plate in front of him with the sweetest of smiles. “Bon appetit.”
He inspected the food as if I had planted razor blades in it and I resisted the urge to giggle. I watched closely as he warily took his first bite. Whilst looking confident at first, his chewing soon slowed and his eyes began to water.
“It’s delicious, thanks,” he mumbled with a full mouth, and took another bite.
I rolled my eyes and returned to my seat, ignoring him until I finished my lunch.
* * *
I was halfway up the stairs, escaping Luke’s presence, when our doorbell rang.
We weren’t expecting anyone, and I hadn’t even heard them pull up. I was too preoccupied with torturing Luke.
Mum was already at the door and I paused to see who it was.
My mum adores having visitors, especially the unexpected kind. And this one was definitely unexpected.
“Jake!” My mum exclaimed, pulling him in for a warm hug.
My heart stopped and I froze. My eyes were drawn to Luke’s and I found his burning back into mine.
