Authors: Heidi Hutchinson
“
Thank
you for your help with my laundry,” Lenny said politely and
then closed the door. She heard Luke chuckle softly from the other
side and it irritated her. He knew what kind of power he held over
her and it wasn’t fair for him to use it against her like that.
Luke knocked softly
on the door. “I’ll just wait out here until you’re
hungry again.” He joked playfully from the other side.
Lenny paced in
frustration. He had her there. She ate around the clock and there
was no food in her room. Besides, she couldn’t keep avoiding
him. Especially if he was planning on coming with them tomorrow.
The worst part was
that she didn’t want to avoid him. She had thoroughly enjoyed
the entire day with him. He had been sweet and attentive and
adorable. But, again, this was a bubble. As soon as real life got
involved, it would go straight to hell.
“
I
was thinking pizza for lunch.” Luke continued through the
door. “I saw a little place up the road that I wanted to try.”
Lenny couldn’t
help but smile. He was persistent, she would give him that. She had
missed him so much. She found herself opening the door, against her
better judgment.
Luke was leaning
against the frame and he gave her his most charming smile.
“
Hungry?”
He asked coyly.
She tried to hide
her smile but she couldn’t. She sighed and entered the hallway
again, he fell in step beside her on the way back downstairs.
“
I’m
assuming that you’re paying?” Lenny asked in the
elevator.
“
No
way. The rule is, if I pay it’s officially a date,” he
winked at her, “Unless this is date?”
Lenny’s heart
skipped at his wink but she maintained composure.
“
Nope,
just friends. I’ll pay for myself.” She looked straight
ahead, refusing to get sucked into his playful gaze.
***
When they were
seated in the booth at the small pizzeria, Lenny tried to relax
again. Luke’s presence was always unnerving but even more so
now that he was completely hell bent on flirting with her. She
couldn't deny that it felt good to have him there. Her body no
longer felt like it was missing a vital organ. She glanced around
and saw some of the people from her group at a different table.
She shifted, as they
openly gawked. The shouting match that had taken place in the
hallway last night flashed in her mind. They looked confused and
curious and she couldn’t blame them. What was she thinking?
Luke was going to be entering a hornet’s nest with this group.
They would undoubtedly see him as the villain and ostracize him.
“
This
was a bad idea,” Lenny said as she swirled the ice in her
drink.
“
It’s
okay, Lenny,” Luke tried to get her eyes to meet his. “I
can take my lumps. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove that to
you and anyone else who cares.”
Lenny pursed her
lips together. They both had separate agendas. She was trying to
prove that they couldn’t possibly work and he was trying to
prove otherwise. What a fine pair they made.
***
Luke saw a thousand
emotions roll across Lenny’s face in an instant. She seemed to
settle on casual indifference and Luke felt a new wave of regret
course through his veins. He wondered if he hadn’t have gone
out that night…would she have been this reserved now? How
much distance did he put between them with his selfish choice?
He missed the
familiarity they used to have. Now, she was on guard, distrusting,
reserved. He missed the way she would look at him and he'd know she
felt safe.
Lenny cleared her
throat and looked at him expectantly. Luke realized that she had
asked him a question but he hadn’t heard it.
“
I’m
sorry, what?” He asked apologetically.
“
I
said, when is your return flight?” Lenny frowned at his
faraway look.
“
Uh,
I don’t have one.” Luke answered uncomfortably. He saw
the question on her face so he added. “I bought a one way.”
***
The group of other
riders finished their meal and gave curious glances as they departed.
Shelby Lynn waved at Lenny shyly and then went outside.
“
What
was that all about?” Luke asked.
“
Oh,
you haven’t heard? I’m awesome.” Lenny said
saucily and laughed at her own bravado.
“
I
have actually heard that. And humble, too.” Luke smiled at
her.
They were
interrupted when Ben stepped over to their table.
“
We’re
going bowling tonight.” He openly glared at Luke, “Nick
said you’re coming back up to the cabins with us tomorrow.”
Luke gave a curt nod and Ben continued, “So you can join us
tonight if you want.”
“
You
make me feel so welcome,” Luke said, impatience in his voice.
“
They’ll
be other girls there, you sure you can control yourself?” Ben
asked darkly.
“
Ben!”
Lenny snapped, mortified by his behavior.
“
It’s
okay, Lenny.” Luke calmly stopped her and addressed Ben
squarely. “Look man, I made some bad choices. I’m not
making excuses for that. But I love this girl and I’m not
gonna give up just cause you spent half an hour coming up with an
insult.” He took a drink of his soda. “We’d be
happy to join you for bowling tonight.”
Lenny could see Ben
was trying to think of something witty to reply with but came up
empty. He grunted and left.
Lenny’s head
was swirling with a million thoughts. And they all centered around
one thing. Luke had said that he was still in love with her.
***
Luke went back to
eating, completely unfazed. He looked up to see Lenny watching him
with curious eyes.
“
What?
Do I got pizza on my face?” He asked, making her smile.
“
Nothing,”
Lenny replied but something had changed, infinitesimally in her eyes
when she looked at him. He had no idea what he'd said in the past
few seconds to propel any kind of change, but he was happy for it.
***
The afternoon passed
quickly. Lenny found herself getting excited for Luke to join them
on the mountain tomorrow. She had wanted him to be a part of her
life before, but the timing had been all off. She couldn’t
believe that he had bought a one way ticket to Alaska.
She still felt a
need to show him that a romantic relationship was impossible for them
and probably a terrible idea. But he was making it hard. He flirted
with her openly all day long. She did her best to ignore his
comments and gestures, not wanting to encourage him. If he stood too
close, she moved away. If he reached for her hand, she’d put
them in her pockets. Part of her was scared that her plan would work
and he’d give up, but he only tried harder. Finding new and
clever ways to flirt and catch her off guard.
At the bowling
alley, the others tried their best to give Luke the cold shoulder but
Luke’s gregarious personality and authentic charm won them over
pretty quickly. Even Ben, who held out the longest, was eventually
high-fiving Luke and buying him nachos.
“
Damn,
Lenny,” Trucker complained. “You’re kicking our
asses! Is there anything you’re not good at?”
“
Yes,”
Shane answered from behind her, “She’s a terrible
dancer.”
“
What!”
Lenny whirled to give him a glare but he just laughed.
“
You
are a horrible dancer, don’t deny it.” Shane handed her
a soda.
Luke was getting
along with everyone so well that Lenny found herself a unusually
miffed. He was attentive and alert. He answered their questions but
downplayed his rock star status. He joked around and looked
genuinely at ease. He was freaking perfect.
“
Don’t
be grumpy,” Shane rebuked as he sat down beside her.
“
I’m
not being grumpy,” Lenny protested even though she knew he was
right.
“
You
have a very effective frown but this is neither the time nor place.”
Shane reprimanded with a smile.
“
Is
it weird that he’s getting along with everyone so well?”
Lenny shared her thoughts with Shane.
“
No,
what’s weird is that you’re avoiding him so obviously.”
“
Hey,
you were on my side not twenty-four hours ago.” Lenny reminded
him.
“
Yep,”
Shane admitted. “But then we had a bro talk.”
“
You
what?” Lenny’s slack-jawed face caused Shane to burst
out laughing.
“
Yeah,
Luke and I are bros now.” Shane grinned at her.
Lenny put her hand
to her forehead in shame. “My life is so weird,” she
muttered, making Shane laugh again.
“
I
think you should give him another chance, honestly.” Shane
added.
“
There’s
no ‘another chance’ to give! Am I the only one who can
see this as an impending disaster?” Lenny’s tone was
desperate but Shane laughed her off again.
“
You
forgave me, don’t forget.” Shane reminded.
“
What’s
your point?” Lenny shot at him, irritated with his blasé
attitude.
“
Well,
I would think it would be easier to forgive Luke,” Shane
answered seriously, “You’re in love with him.”
Lenny pursed her
lips indignantly, “I hate your face.” Shane guffawed as
Luke sat down on the other side of her.
“
What’s
going on over here?” He asked, grabbing Lenny’s soda and
taking a big drink.
“
Nothing,”
Lenny answered quickly, giving Shane a warning glare.
“
We
were talking about how she needs to give you a one on one lesson on
the slopes tomorrow.” Shane winked at Lenny.
“
That’s
sounds sexy,” Luke arched an eyebrow at Lenny.
“
Yeah,
it should be real hot with all the layers of clothing involved.”
Lenny answered dryly. She was not amused. How had both of her exes
become best friends?
“
You
bunking with me tomorrow?” Shane asked Luke.
“
That’s
what Nick said.” Luke nodded, draining the last of Lenny's
soda.
“
Sweet,”
Shane fist bumped Luke and then headed to take his turn.
Lenny gave Luke a
look that made him laugh.
“
What
the hell is that all about?” Lenny asked him.
“
Shane’s
a good guy.” Luke didn’t give more of an explanation.
“
When
did this happen?” Lenny was confused and annoyed at the same
time.
“
Last
night. He brought me a pillow after you slapped me silly.”
Luke answered with a sly smile.
“
I
did not slap you silly.” Lenny objected. “And I’m
sorry about that, by the way.” She added softly.
“
You
don’t have to apologize, I deserved it.” Luke nodded
towards Shane, “We have a lot in common.”
“
Oh
yeah, like what?” Lenny asked in disbelief.
“
Well,
we both have excellent taste in women.” Luke smiled at her
glare and got up to refill her soda.
As
the night continued on, Lenny found herself in conflict. Why
was
she pushing Luke away? To prove a point? Shane was right, she was in
love with him and she didn't want him leave. She wanted him to stay.
Nothing made sense anymore. Her previous resolve seemed so foolish
and foreign with Luke's overwhelming presence all around her.