Page 35 of Lone Wolf in Lights
“None of us did,” Aubrey chimed in. “You’re so strong, Willow. You’re so fucking brave.”
Willow blinked away the moisture in her own eyes, her gaze lifting to meet theirs. “It’s not just my strength that got me through,” she said. “It’s knowing I have all of you. It’s friendships. It’s love. It’s all the good. That’s how we win.” As Charly and Aubrey stepped away, a new presence brushed against her senses.
Eli stood just inside the doorway, his towering frame holding a stillness that belied the storm of emotions playing across his face. He seemed to have forgotten the box of craft supplies he was delivering.
Willow’s breath caught in her throat. His piercing gaze was fixated on her, and his emotions bled on his face. She saw for a moment how he saw her—not as a victim but as a survivor. She rose and moved toward him.
“Willow,” Eli’s voice finally broke the silence as she reached him. “You’re one hell of a woman.”
“Thank you,” she said with a smile. “I hadn’t meant for you to hear that.”
“I’m glad I did,” Eli replied, his eyes never leaving hers. He took a step closer, bringing a world of heat with him. “Detective Harris called earlier. I missed the call, but he left a message about Samantha.”
“So you heard too,” Willow said, glancing back at Amie before saying to Eli, “Amie feels terrible, but I’m just glad the police have it all handled now.”
“Couldn’t agree more,” Eli said, sliding his hands into his pockets.
She nibbled her lip. “I guess we don’t have to—” She leaned in and said softly, “pretend anymore.”
His eyes searched hers for a long moment, before he dropped his voice, keeping the conversation private. “We did say this ends at New Year’s. I think it’s best to stick to that. I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
She nodded, the tension in her belly easing in an instant. She wasn’t ready for the dates to stop with Eli, but she wasn’t ready for anything more either. She liked things exactly as they were. “I totally agree.”
Relief washed over Eli’s face, and his smile was...sweet.Again, he said quietly, “But what about doing something tonight just for us, as friends, not pretending nothing?”
She froze a little. This most certainly felt like a step past friends, but it also suddenly felt like the right step. “I think that sounds fun.”
“Great,” he said, his smile widening. This time he said louder, “Can you get off tonight?”
“Yes,” Charly and Aubrey called behind them.
Willow laughed. “Apparently, yes.”
He gave a firm nod. “I’ll pick you up at your place at seven. Dress warm,” he added, before dropping a quick kiss on her cheek and walking away.
She watched him exit the bar, and swiftly turned around to find Charly and Aubrey nearly right behind her. He’d gone from being all in for the fake relationship to suddenly wanting to hang out as friends. She set her stare on Aubrey, folding her arms. “Did your vanishing earlier have something to do with that.”
Aubrey scoffed, flicking her hair over her shoulder as she walked away. “A black bikini had something to do with that.”
Eleven
Right at seven o’clock, Eli pulled up to Willow’s place, the growl of the truck’s engine cutting through the frigid Montana air. Snowflakes danced around the headlights, casting a soft glow on her figure as she stepped outside of the house. She was a mix of cozy and gorgeous, with her wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, her usual subtle makeup and glossy lips, but she was bundled up in a warm coat, plaid scarf and black beanie.
He hurried to exit the truck and met her at the passenger side. “You look beautiful.” He swung open the door, taking in the sight of her—a vision strong enough to make him forget the chill biting at his skin.
“Thank you.” She smiled, climbing into the passenger seat.
He quickly shut the door behind her and then joined her in the truck. A scent of vanilla and sugar filled the cab, and he was certain he’d never smelled anything quite that wonderful before.
As they began driving, Eli stole glances at her while the road stretched ahead, the hum of the tires over the asphalt a steady rhythm beneath the music playing through the speakers. He’d changed the station from his country music favorite to pop music knowing it was her favorite, and she was singing along. Damn, she was cute.
He stayed quiet, listening to her sweet, soft voice, until his truck rolled into Wolf Springs, the larger city north of Timber Falls. The park unfolded before them like a snow-kissed paradise, with thousands of strings of lights draped between trees.
“Wow,” Willow breathed out. “It’s like stepping into a fairy tale.”
“Wait until you see it all up close,” Eli promised, glad he got the date idea right. He parked the truck in one of the available spots. “Stay put,” he told her, before rounding the vehicle to her side.
As he opened the door for Willow, she said, “It’s sweet you open the door for me, but you really don’t need to do that.”
