Page 79 of Reluctant Chemistry

While she’d never seen herself as a commitment-phobe, perhaps Luka had a point. She hesitated while contemplating his question.

“Commitment hurts. It means you have to show up, even when you don’t want to, and I don’t have time for that sort of complication right now.”

“Yeah, well, that’s what adults do, CeCe. They show up. And I’m not some Chopper Guy from those novels you read. Relationships take hard work, and I don’t want to show up just for sex.”

“Is that truly what you think?” she countered, her voice rising a fraction. “That I have a romanticized version of you in my head, based on some hero from a paperback? Because apart from last night, when youdidshow up just for sex, you’ve hardly made yourself available. That day at Station Winery, you struggled to keep your eyes off me, but you still walked away without so much as a backward glance, just like when you left Tulloch Point. I brushed it aside because I thought you were in a relationship, but now I know different, I don’t get it.”

“But that’s what I’m trying to say.” Luka massaged his temples with his fingertips as if the whole conversation was frustrating him. “When I left Tulloch Point, I didn’t realize how much you meant to me. I was young and cocky, and the sex was great, but when I found out I was your teacher, I had no choice but to let you go. I’m sorry for the way things turned out. Sorry I drove back up your driveway that day the Kombi broke down. Sorry I got out of the car, followed you into your bedroom, put you in that position.”

She took a pause, just like her father did when facing a challenge. Hissorrywasn’t an apology, but rather a way to voice his regret. “We were both at fault that day, but as you say, we need to move on.”

“We do. But searching for you through a sea of faces in some crowded ballroom and stealing a few moments of your precious time at a party is not enough for me. Being your ‘complication’ isn’t enough.”

CeCe frowned. “So you’d rather step away than enjoy what we have?”

Luka searched her gaze. “I’m giving you the space you need. It’s the least I can do right now.”

It was now CeCe’s turn to rub her temples. She went to speak but had no idea what to say. Did he want her or not? And what was he giving her space from? Him?

He stood and picked up his jacket from the sofa. “Anyway, I have to go, or I’ll be late for work. Thanks for the coffee.”

Hands flat on the counter, she swiveled in her chair and watched him leave the room. When she turned back to the island, she looked at the toast still in the rack, the untouched butter and honey, and his half-empty coffee cup, and tried to figure out what had just happened.

* * *

At work the next day, time dragged as CeCe waited for the clock to strike five. She was tired of thinking about Luka. She just wanted to get on with her life—her business, her job—and had little energy for anything else. But that didn’t mean she didn’t care for him. Because she did.

Mitch stood at the packing shed door when she pulled into her parking space.

“Is everything okay between you and Luka?” he asked before she’d hardly had time to open the car door.

“Who knows? I thought so until yesterday, but…” She shut the door, leaving it unlocked. “Apparently, he’s giving me space.”

Mitch nodded as if he understood.

“Have you been talking to him?” CeCe asked as she followed him into his office.

“Briefly.” Mitch sat at his desk and shuffled papers into a neat pile. “So, you’ve obviously hooked up?”

“Did he tell you that?”

“No, but—”

“Mitch, you know I’m not going to share that information, so please don’t spread that unfortunate rumor through the family grapevine. Dad would have a coronary.”

“As if I would. Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with a spot of reunion sex. You’re both single.”

“Yes, but I don’t need the hassle of a moody guy in my life right now.”

“And therein lies his problem.”

CeCe sat in the chair opposite. “Meaning?”

“Annabelle worked ridiculously long hours, and her job came before everything else.”

“Is that why they broke up?” she asked with a frown.

“Among other things. She never had time for his friends or family, and in the end, I guess he couldn’t handle that.”

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