Page 90 of Reluctant Chemistry

“Are you seeing anyone?”

She shook her head. “A broken collarbone and hot dates don’t really mix.”

He smiled into his mug before taking a sip. “No, guess they don’t.”

She wanted to ask him the same question but couldn’t bring herself to do so. It was none of her business. Not anymore. CeCe picked up her bag from the floor and pulled out a wrapped package. She offered it over the table. “I almost forgot this.”

“For me as well?” He unwrapped the hardcover autobiography and flipped it over to read the back blurb, a soft grin in place. “Thanks, I’ve been wanting to read this for ages.”

“It’s a signed copy.”

Luka looked up in surprise. “How did you manage that?”

“Ally’s in the music business, so she knows a guy who knows a girl.”

He opened it to the title page and read the inscription: “‘To Chopper Guy. Enjoy the read.’” He lifted from his seat to kiss her on the cheek, then sat back down again. “That’s awesome. Thank you so much.”

CeCe steadied her breath. “No problem. I couldn’t think of what else to get you.”

“I love reading, you know that.” Luka set the gift on the table. “Mum said you’ve booked in some riding lessons.”

“Well, our group has. It’s not for a while yet. I have to wait until I’m properly healed.”

He nodded. His gaze held hers as she spoke, and she wanted to reach over and kiss him. And not on the cheek.

“There’s three of us so far,” she continued, trying to shift that last thought. “All from that day at Station Winery. The other two can already ride, but they want to brush up on their skills.”

“Let me guess, Jaz and Tracy?”

CeCe flashed him a grin and nodded. Jaz was dying to go to the Rata River Equestrian Center, hoping she’d get another peek at Luka in his jodhpurs. She’d considered buying her boyfriend a pair for dress-ups, but as he had at least fifty pounds on Luka, mostly in the form of a beer gut, Jaz didn’t think they’d have the same appeal.

“They were hilarious that day,” he said. “But kind of scary too.”

“Yeah, they’re heaps of fun.”

“Text me when you’re going. If I’m free, maybe I could come with you.”

As if.“I don’t think so.”

He looked puzzled. “Why not?”

“You know why not, Mr. Good-at-Everything. You make me nervous.”

“Is that really how you see me? As a smug all-rounder?”

“Not necessarily smug. It’s just…” CeCe hesitated. She knew what she wanted to say but struggled to phrase it. “Maybe it’s a teacher-student throwback. That ‘air of authority’ vibe you have going on.”

Luka regarded her over the rim of his mug before setting it down. “I stopped thinking of you as my student a long time ago, CeCe.” His tone and use of her name sent a shiver down her spine, and strangely enough, reminded her of the days spent in his classroom. “Besides, there are some things I’m totally useless at.”

“Name one.”

“Tennis. I can’t hit a tennis ball to save myself. Maybe you could give me some lessons when your shoulder’s back to full strength.”

“How do you know I play tennis?”

“I watched you once. Coaching the juniors after class. Your tennis skills were legendary around the school. But you gave it up for a while?”

“Yes. After Anna died.” CeCe realized she hadn’t thought of Anna as much lately. Perhaps time healed after all. “She was the better player, in my opinion, but I could still hold my own. We played together all the time—until Dillon came between us.”

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