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The two women fell silent, the only sounds being the quiet bubbling of the hot chocolate as it heated and the clink of mugs being taken out of the cupboard. As she thought about the situation, Eve felt a pang of guilt. Fred had been her constant companion ever since she had left the shelter and the only source of unconditional love she had known. She didn't want to let go of her furry friend, but she was aware that he was becoming a problem.
"But, what if it's me?" Eve suddenly asked, voicing a thought that had been gnawing at the back of her mind. "What if Fred is picking up on my...anxiety around Luke?"
Sarah looked at her friend with understanding eyes. "Eve, you've been through so much. It's only natural that you'd have some reservations about getting close to someone again. Fred could indeed be picking up on that.” Sarah hesitated. “And Luke's."
Eve frowned, not quite understanding what Sarah was getting at.
"Luke's been through his fair share of trauma too, you know," Sarah continued. "Perhaps Fred is picking up on that as well. Animals can be surprisingly sensitive to such things."
Eve considered Sarah's words. She had been so caught up in her own struggles that she had barely spared a thought for what Luke might have been going through. She was living under his roof, yet she barely knew anything about him. Sure, she was attracted to his rugged good looks and had caught herself more than once admiring his muscular form. But beyond that, Luke remained a mystery.
"I need to know more about him," Eve decided aloud, her resolve hardening. “The first step to resolving the issue is understanding what had caused it. And if it means I have to spend more time with the burly, handsome ex-soldier, well, I will just have to suffer through it.” Eve grinned at her friend.
Sarah chuckled, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Well, I suppose there are worse fates," she joked, earning a playful swat from Eve. But beneath the jest, both women knew the task would not be an easy one. Luke Harrington was one stubborn man.
With renewed determination, Eve decided to confront the issue head-on. She would learn more about Luke, come to understand him. She looked at Sarah, her rock and anchor, and Eve knew she was not alone.
"You're right, Sarah," Eve affirmed. "I need to understand Luke better." She took a deep breath. "And talking about letting me in, what’s up with the locked room? Do you know what he is hiding?”
Sarah chuckled. “I can guess, but I’m sure he’ll tell you when he is comfortable.”
Eve wiggled her eyebrows. “You don’t think it’s a sex room, do you? They aways say it’s the quiet ones to watch out for.”
Sarah shook her head as she changed the subject.
I can just break in and see for myself.Eve thought as she tried to focus on Sarah’s conversation.
Eve
SarahburstthroughEve’sdoor the next day. “I’ve got it,” she grinned at the stunned Eve. “We need to make sure you are everywhere he is, that way he can’t avoid you, so you will get to know him better.”
“You have been watching too many romance movies again.” Eve laughed. “I have nothing in common with Luke.” Eve hesitated. “Well besides the fact that I like to cook and he likes to eat that is.”
“I think Luke wants to sample more than your pies,” Sarah sad as Eve blushed at where she would like his mouth to be.
“Look, Kane did it to me and it drove me insane. He was everywhere I was, until the point I just gave in to the feelings and opened up to him. And look where we are now,” Sarah said, a wistful look in her eyes.
“But Luke won’t even stop running long enough to have a conversation with me,” Eve complained. “Literally running. I cant keep up with him.”
Sarah took a sip of her coffee, studying Eve thoughtfully. She knew her friend was smitten with Luke. Sarah also knew Luke enough to know that he was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes.
"I think you're overthinking it," Sarah said finally. "Remember, Luke’s a guy who's been in combat. He's used to reading situations, not conversations."
Eve's brows furrowed, and she bit her lip. "So, what do you suggest?"
Sarah hesitated for a moment before offering her idea. "I think you should join me at the gym."
Eve grimaced. "The gym? Why?"
"Luke's there every day," Sarah explained. "You can go and try to make some conversation with him. And I've seen him watching you around the ranch Eve. I think he's just as taken with you as you are with him."
"But I don't even work out," Eve protested. “This body is made for comfort, not to sweat.”
"It's not just about making Luke notice you more, but also doing something good for yourself," Sarah said, giving her a pointed look. “Getting out and making more friends and meeting people again.”
Eve bit her lower lip, knowing Sarah was right. She and nodded. "Alright, I'll give it a try. But I'm warning you, I'm not exactly the athletic type. I fall over my own feet."
"I know," Sarah said, smiling. "But remember, you're not doing this for Luke. You're doing it for yourself. To get to Luke, mainly so then he will get under you,” Sarah laughed at her friend as Eve licked her lips liking the idea. “The fact that Luke will get to see you in your gym clothes is just a bonus."
