Page 67 of Reluctant Chemistry

“You’ve done it before?”

He finished his tea. CeCe didn’t need to know that he owned a chopper and sometimes volunteered for the gig. In fact, he had another stint coming up soon. “Once or twice. When are you going?”

“On the fifteenth. But I’m a nervous flyer.”

“Then why put yourself through it?”

“Because you can’t be afraid to take chances all your life, or you’ll get nowhere.”

“I agree.” Luka stood and took his mug to the kitchen sink. There was no reason to stay any longer, even if he wanted to. “And don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”

“Hope so.” CeCerose from the chair and followed him to the door.

“Anyway, I’ll flick you Jay’s contact details…just in case you want to get hold of him.”

“Okay, thanks.”

He paused on the landing. “Maybe we could go for a surf one day soon.”

As CeCe hesitated for longer than necessary, he braced himself for her reply. His invitation had been poorly thought out. He’d misinterpreted the mood of their earlier banter, seeing it as a breakthrough rather than what it was: a good-natured ribbing between two people who’d once shared a bond. Nothing more.

“I don’t really have time for surfing these days.”

Struggling to quell the disappointment caused by her rebuff, he nodded. “Of course. Enjoy your run.”

* * *

CeCe closed the door behind him, padded down the hallway, and flopped down on her bed front first. “Argh, men!”

Half an hour—that’s all it had taken for him to tip her day upside down. Now, she’d have to drag herself along the river track with thoughts of Luka ‘the player’ O’Leary annoyingly stuck in her head.

Surfing? Seriously?

She rolled onto her back, wondering why he hadn’t text before turning up, then mentally kicked herself for the inappropriate comments about his black boots and one-night stands.Shit!What had she been thinking?

More than that, what washethinking? That they could be besties, go off surfing together while Annabelle,his girlfriend, met with clients and attended court.

Rude, just rude.

Hearing her text alert, CeCe let that thought go. She jumped off the bed and picked up her phone from the dresser.

Molly:What’s up?

CeCe:Not much. Just saw Luka. He invited me surfing.

Molly:How dare he! *insert chuckle* So he’s single then?

CeCe:No idea. Surely Mitch would have said if he was.

Molly:Ya think? Mitch doesn’t know you still have the hots for Chopper Guy does he?

CeCe:I DO NOT!!!

Molly:Liar. Have you asked Tayla?

CeCe:No, she’s visiting her sister. Anyway, my friends from work say he’s a player, so…

Molly:You think it’s true?

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