Page 77 of Just Trouble

“No,” she says.

“Oh, yes,” I repeat.

“Told you!” Willow calls from the kitchen as Cameron demands details.

I tell them a bit but not a lot, because I’m still hugging it all close. I don’t know what the future holds for Luke and me.

“I’ll have what she’s having,” Cameron says.

“You’re always having what she’s having,” Mackenzie notes.

“I think Daphne is having doubts,” Willow says and they all look at me.

“Why?” Cameron demands. “It sounds great.”

“He says all the right things…”

“But she doesn’t know whether to believe him,” Willow says, finishing up my sentence.

“Do you have to believe him?” Cameron asks and I blink. “Just go with it. Enjoy them the way they enjoy us.”

“Absolutely,” Mackenzie says with approval.

“You don’t have to expect everything in exchange for some satisfaction,” Cameron insists.

“You’re shameless,” I say to her, not really outraged at all.

“And my stress level is nonexistent. Try it. You might like it.”

I change the subject by asking Mackenzie about meeting me and Rafe for dinner, which means I have to tell them about Rafe—and Cameron wants to call in sick to work so she can check him out. I look for pictures of him on my phone—there has to be at least one—then we all confer about Willow’s hair. She likesSierra’s hair and wants to do something similar. She’s brought a selection of hair colour products and Cameron makes a plan.

Willow’s hair comes out amazing, but that’s the power of teamwork.

Much later, I walk home across the lawn in my sandals, admiring the glimmer of my freshly painted nails against the darkness of the grass. It feels like it might rain and the skies are overcast, but for the moment, it’s dry enough. I’ve just worn my big fluffy bathrobe home, and my face feels all tingly from the facial mask. I’m relaxed and there’s only one thing lacking in my world. I’m ready for a littlecarpe diem.

I see a shadow move on my porch and my heart leaps, because there he is.

“Hey,” I say.

“Hey,” Luke replies in a soft drawl. “Love the look.”

I laugh and take the seat beside him. I study him in the shadows and see uncertainty lurking in his eyes. Has he come to tell me bad news? If so, let’s have it. Diving in is officially my new philosophy.

“I thought you’d be with Sylvia,” I say and his surprise shows.

“Why? There’s nothing between us, Daph. I just want to do right by Sierra.”

“I haven’t seen much of you this week. I thought that was why.”

“No.” He’s emphatic. “I don’t want to offer you damaged goods. I want to get this sorted first.” His gaze bores into mine. “You’re the principled idealist, remember? I’m the one who breaks all the rules. And I don’t know if Sierra is a dealbreaker for you.”

“It’s complicated,” I cede, sitting back. I can feel the tension emanating from him, and I’m relieved that he’s so worried about the halo effect of his actions. “I wasn’t thrilled when you seemed to be a deadbeat dad, but you aren’t.” I meet his gaze. “AndI admire how you’re stepping up. Not many people would do that.”

His smile dawns slowly, lifting one corner of his mouth and then the other before it lights his eyes. “I thought you might smite me dead,” he murmurs and I can’t help but smile.

“There’s still time.”

Luke laughs. It’s rare for him to laugh so long and so loud and I end up staring at him, smiling. “You should do that more,” I say and he grins.

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