Page 57 of Reluctant Chemistry

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CeCe looked up from her dessert to where Luka had sat just moments before. She’d spent the past half hour trying to ignore him, and now that she’d dared to peek, he’d disappeared. Earlier, he’d offered a brief, almost curt, hello, but soon after, one of his friends had interrupted and dragged him away to meet someone.

Probably just as well. Parties made her nervous enough as it was, and she didn’t need his presence messing with her head.

Luka’s mother caught her eye and smiled.Damn.

Tayla had pointed Vanessa out earlier, so it seemed impolite not to go over and introduce herself. The O’Learys had been good to Mitch over the years, and they obviously knew who she was.

CeCe stood and smoothed down her dress. Nerves fluttered in her stomach as she walked toward them; why, she had no idea. According to Mitch, the O’Learys were perfectly nice people. Luka’s father stood as she approached and pulled out a chair. As she sat, she smiled and offered her hand to Vanessa. “Hi, I’m CeCe, Mitch’s sister.”

Vanessa introduced her to Luka’s dad, Liam, who returned her smile and firmly shook her hand. One look at Liam, and she knew where Luka got his bronze skin and chiseled features from.

“Mitch tells me you own an equestrian center in the Rata River Valley,” CeCe said. “I’ve always wanted to learn to ride, but I don’t seem to gel with horses.”

“It’s all in the way you connect with them,” Vanessa replied, her smile as warm as the hands that had greeted her. “You’re a young soul, plenty of scope to learn.”

A young soul?What did that even mean? Vanessa had a kind but piercing stare, like she could see straight through you. CeCe had sometimes seen the same expression on Luka. Despite having only just met her, she could tell his mother was a fascinating character. Warm and friendly, but with a certain edge one couldn’t deny.

“Come up with Luka one day,” Liam said. “He’ll teach you. Has the same gift as his mother.”

CeCe imagined that scenario with dread: Luka and her riding side by side in the Rata River Valley. She swallowed hard, suddenly in desperate need of a drink.

They made small talk for a time—Mitch and Tayla’s pregnancy news, the food, even the weather. When they struck a brief lull in the conversation, CeCe looked around the room, searching for someone to save her.Anyone.

“Luka said you’re launching your own skincare range soon.” Vanessa smiled. “Impressive. I’d love to try it sometime, not that I’ve ever been into makeup, but I love a good moisturizer.”

Luka?

“I’ll send you some samples.” CeCe sat forward in her chair. “Anyway, I should probably go mingle. It’s been lovely to chat.”

Vanessa took her hand. “I look forward to seeing you again soon. And any time you want a riding lesson, just call the center.”

“Thank you, but…”

“You don’t have to explain.” Vanessa stood and took Liam’s arm. “Anyway, enjoy your night. We’re off to hit the dance floor.”

As Luka’s parents walked away, CeCe spotted Luka through the French doors, joking with a group of guys out on the veranda. As if sensing her stare, he stared straight at her and offered the faintest of smiles before turning back to his friends.

28

Ex-lovers’ Truce

Maybe it was the atmosphere of the evening or the fact he’d been feeling a little restless after coming out of lockdown, or even the knowledge that Mitch and Tayla were going to be parents. Whatever it was, Luka couldn’t stop thinking about CeCe. That girl was in his head and didn’t seem to want to leave, and in all honesty, he didn’t want her to either.

When he strolled into the kitchen in search of another beer, Mr. Edward, the resident Harrington pug, lay on the window seat, his brown eyes watching Luka’s every move. He sat next to the dog and rubbed behind his ears. “Hey, boy. Are you enjoying yourself?”

Luka looked up as Mitch walked in through the back door, carrying a twenty-four-pack of Heineken. The pug gave a feeble woof before shutting his eyes again. Mitch set the carton on the island. “Ready for another?”

“Yeah, go on.”

Mitch grabbed a couple of beers and flipped their lids with an opener. He handed one to Luka. “Where’s Annabelle tonight?”

“Out of town on business.”

Mitch perched on a barstool and took a sip of his beer. “Is everything okay between you two?”

If there was one thing Luka knew, it was he couldn’t hide his emotions from Mitch. The guy had an uncanny knack for picking up vibes. “Not exactly.” Luka sighed and shook his head. Although their breakup had been a long time coming, the confusion he’d felt for weeks still surfaced occasionally, especially when he’d been drinking. “We’ve called it quits.”

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