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I let the hot water run through my hair and down my body as I tried to wash away the memory of Luke’s body wrapped around mine. I cooled the temperature to ease the ache I felt below, but it didn’t help. Why did my body want him so badly, when my head knew it was an entirely bad idea? I let my hand travel down my body to release some of the tension that had built up over the last few weeks. Surely that would take the edge off. But who was I kidding?
Feeling a little bit lighter, I pulled on some cut-off jean shorts and a tank top, and skipped back downstairs for breakfast. My mum normally cooked a feast on Saturday mornings, and I was starving. I bounded into the kitchen, savouring the smell of frying bacon, when I came face-to-face with Luke.
I halted. “Luke! Hi,” I exclaimed, wide-eyed, not expecting to see him so soon.
He sat casually at our kitchen bench, merrily eating his full plate of breakfast.
“Hi, Blue.” He smiled, tilting his head to examine me. “Long time, no see.”
I forced a smile and prayed my mum wasn’t watching our interaction.
“So…how was your shower?” he asked curiously, with a twinkle in his eye.
My eyes widened and my face went entirely red, totally giving myself away.
He smirked when I didn’t respond quickly enough. “That good, was it?”
My mouth fell open, but I recovered swiftly. “Great actually, how was yours?” I asked, trying to deflect some humiliation.
“Always a great way to start the day,” he declared with a cheeky wink.
He took another bite of his toast and chewed slowly, watching me. I cleared my throat and started to prepare my breakfast, hoping no one noticed our exchange.
Luke quickly finished his meal and said his goodbyes before leaving for work. His eyes lingered on me for a fraction longer, but I tried my hardest not to notice.
* * *
After I finished sorting all the sheet music into separate piles, I started to mess around with a few songs I had recovered. They were mostly mine, but I wanted to work on Luke’s song most of all.
The urge to write music overwhelmed me and I spent most of my time on Dawn’s piano, composing again. It felt wonderful. I had previously felt so lost and empty, but now I was overflowing with such inspiration my songs were pretty much writing themselves.
I spent hours refining all the lyrics, but the melodies required more work. I needed the help of a good guitarist, but the best one in Fairleigh was also the most hazardous one. It was a risk I would have to take, if I wanted to my songs to reach their potential.
* * *
I knew leaving the confines of my house and Luke’s would be daunting, but I had to do it. My mum was driving me batty and I desperately wanted to find out if Luke would help me. Marni’s dad gave me the all clear to drive, so I grabbed my car keys and slid quietly out the front door. Dad’s ride on mower muffled the sound of my car and I made a clean getaway.
I deliberately parked on the edge of town and strolled the length of Main Street, enjoying my freedom. As I window-shopped, I heard somebody squealing my name. Before I could turn around to see who was approaching at speed, two little arms wrapped around my legs.
“Bluuuebiiiiird!”
I stumbled briefly and laughed, as a grown man’s hand steadied my shoulder.
“Whoa, Amelie,” Dan hollered. “You can’t go bowling people over like that.”
I chuckled. “It’s okay, Dan, I’m not as fragile as everyone thinks.”
I knelt down to level my eyes with his beautiful daughter. “Hi there, I’ve missed you,” I said, with a warm smile.
Her eyes sparkled back at me. “Are you feeling better?”
“I’m feeling much better now, thank you.”
Amelie’s bright expression dimmed. “Daddy said you had a baby in your tummy, but it went to heaven.”
I swallowed deeply and peered up at Dan’s regretful eyes.
He winced. “I’m sorry. She saw you on TV and I didn’t know how to explain it.”
