Page 58 of Reluctant Chemistry

“What? Since when?”

“Three weeks ago.”

“Shit, sorry. Why didn’t you say something?”

Luka had asked himself the same question just that afternoon. With Annabelle in constant contact, hinting at another chance, it seemed time to make their split official. Tell his family and closest friend and draw a line under it. “I needed time to let it sink in, time to just be me again. Mum and Dad know, but otherwise, I’d like to keep it quiet for a while.”

“I understand. Was it amicable?”

He paused with the bottle halfway to his lips. “As much as it could be with Annabelle. It’s funny—she texts me more now than she did when we were together.” He took a sip. “Maybe she wants what she can’t have.”

“It’s a human condition.”

Luka thought about this for a moment. He’d expected to miss Annabelle more than he did, but it was time for them to let one another go. Past time. “I caught up with CeCe earlier.”

“Yeah? How was that?”

“Awkward, just like the last time.” Luka took a long drink while Mitch studied him.

“Hold on a minute.” Mitch narrowed his eyes, and Luka knew what was coming next. “Do you still have a thing for my sister?”

“Come on,” he scoffed. “It’s been almost five years. It was a fling. Besides, I’m not drunk enough for this conversation.”

“Me neither. Anyway, there’s this guy sniffing around her, a rock star, or so he thinks.”

Luka frowned. Wasn’t it every girl’s dream to fall in love with a musician? “You mean he’s in a band?”

“No, a geologist. We met him recently when he was doing some field mapping along the river. Nice guy, but not her type, if you ask me. He’s a bit of a bore, to be honest.” Mitch chuckled. “You should have seen his face when I introduced him to CeCe. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.”

Luka understood why. With that fresh complexion and soulful stare, CeCe had always been beautiful. That first day at the library, he’d struggled to keep his eyes off her too. “Is she keen?”

“Who knows.” Mitch grinned. “According to Tayla, she’s still hung up on some guy from her past.”

“Piss off. You’re just trying to wind me up.”

“And it’s too easy.”

* * *

Later, Luka strolled outside and relaxed into a chair on the veranda. The air was fresh but floral, with hints of wintersweet from the stone-walled gardens surrounding the homestead. Across the courtyard, a couple kissed in the shadows, reminding him of how much he missed the intimacy he’d once shared with CeCe. He hadn’t had that same connection with Annabelle and knew he never would.

Luka took a swig of his beer as he shuffled his thoughts. Despite his earlier denial to Mitch, seeing CeCe in the lab had left an impression.

A troubled impression.

He’d told himself that he’d left their summer fling where it belonged—back in Tulloch Point. But the CeCe of today was an intriguing mix of sophistication and drive, and the sight of her fascinated and intimidated him at the same time. If he were honest, he missed those long legs and wild curls, the way she whispered his name. He longed to stare into those soulful eyes and lose himself in her touch. To bury himself deep within her warmth.

Shit.

He knew he shouldn’t be thinking that way about CeCe, especially when his breakup with Annabelle was barely cold. But he was a little drunk, and his thoughts refused to toe the line, so he let them drift a little further.

With a science degree under her belt and Botanical Ce’s lab up and running, she’d done well for herself since graduating from Tulloch Point High. And as he’d watched her work the room earlier, friendly and gracious, it was as if a sophisticated version of Kombi Girl had returned to the driver’s seat. Happy, smiling Kombi Girl—flashing her dimples while conducting conversations with her hands as she used to.

He glanced up as CeCe approached, a glass of roséin her hand. She sat in the chair next to his without words or invitation, and they both stared up at the sky. With a full moon and the stars winking down at them, the scene reminded him of their nights on his deck back in Tulloch Point.

“Are you enjoying the party?” she eventually asked.

Luka turned to look at her. Small talk had never been their thing, but that was then. “I am. The Harringtons always throw a good party, and it’s such a stunning night.”

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