Page 53 of Reluctant Chemistry

“Nope. Anyway, now that I’m settled in, I plan to get out more.” CeCe opened the oven door, removed the cannelloni, and placed it on a mat at the table. “Meet some new people. Two of the women at work run an adventure group, and they’ve asked me to join.”

“Sounds like fun,” Tayla said. “Maybe you might even start dating again.”

CeCe chuckled. “Or not. I’m a bit stretched for time and guys just don’t seem to get that.”

Molly turned to Tayla. “Do you believe fate brings people together?”

“I never used to,” Tayla said, “but after meeting Mitch the way I did, I’m not so sure.”

“Meaning?” CeCe asked.

“Well, it was…cosmic isn’t quitethe right word, but maybe fate did play a part.”

Both Mitch and Tayla were guarded whenever the topic of their meeting came up, insisting it was a classic ‘girl meets boy next door’ tale, but CeCe had always suspected there was more to it than that. However, she decided not to push it, especially in front of Molly. “Yeah. Who’d have thought Luka would rescue me from a rabbit hole?”

“What?” Tayla asked.

“That was their meet-not-so-cute,” Molly explained. “Walking home from a party one night, CeCe tripped in a rabbit hole and sprained her ankle. Luka found her.”

“Really? How did I not know this?”

“Yep. He lifted me over the fence and into the back seat of his SUV, then dropped me off at Tulloch Point General. Turned out I’d left my boot in his car. Boom. Alice and Cinderella right there.”

Tayla laughed. “Oh, I love that story! You guys so need to be together. Pity he’s seeing someone.”

“He is?” Molly asked as they took a seat at the table. “Who?”

“A lawyer at one of the local firms,” Tayla said. “Annabelle Sutton.”

“Are they serious?” Molly asked.

“Well, she is. Very serious.”

“What’s she like?” Molly continuedas CeCe served the pasta, pretending she wasn’t interested in Luka’s girlfriend or how serious they were.

“One of the most outwardly charming people you’ll ever meet.” As Tayla stopped to eat a mouthful, CeCe fought the image of Luka with someone else. “Petite, power suits and stilettos, never a hair out of place.”

“She sounds perfect,” Molly said as she dished salad onto her plate.

“Yes, but… I don’t know. Luka seems troubled. Like he’s floating along on her wave, but isn’t sure if he wants to be there. They’ve broken up twice now, but always seem to get back together.”

“Sounds like every relationship I’ve ever had.” Molly laughed and picked up her glass. “Is he still with Search and Rescue?”

“He is,” Tayla said. “Does ridiculously long hours. Not that he needs to work, not for the money anyway.”

“What do you mean?” CeCe frowned. She hadn’t expected this night to be about Lukaorhis perfect girlfriend, but the conversation was getting interesting.

“His father used to be a stockbroker or merchant banker, something like that anyway. He’s had good investment advice, and according to Mitch, it’s paid off big time.Andhe’s building a house. Not that Luka talks about himself much. He’s such a private person.”

CeCe finished her mouthful while contemplating Tayla’s words. To her, Luka seemed a free spirit, not someone who’d own an investment portfolio or build a home.

“Is he your ‘one that got away’ guy?” Tayla asked CeCe.

“What? No… Well—”

“I was there, remember,” Molly interrupted. “You were a mess when Luka left.”

“I was eighteen. Stupid in life, stupid in love. Nothing was ever going to come of it. And I’m a firm believer in leaving the past where it belongs.”

---