Page 55 of Lone Wolf in Lights
“Friends,” she affirmed, a small yet genuine smile gracing her lips.
He felt the twinge in his chest. He didn’t want this, not truly, but he knew this was best. Perhaps he’d hoped he could have controlled everything to make this work and thought she’d see how great they were together, but the reality was glaring him in the face. He couldn’t.
Too much history. Too much pain.
“Remember, this isn’t goodbye,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “It’s just...see you around.”
“See you around,” Eli echoed, forcing a smile offering comfort despite the heaviness of his heart.
Seventeen
Willow paused at the threshold of her therapist’s office located in the lower floor of a charming light blue one-story house on Meadowood Lane, a five-minute walk from the bar. Therapy sessions had once been etched into her calendar every four days, but now they were sporadic—only when she felt she needed them.
Outside on the porch with the bright yellow front door, she inhaled deeply, drawing in the crisp mountain air as if it could steady the unease in her chest. With a breath that was more determination than calm, Willow pushed open the door and stepped inside.
“Willow,” greeted Dr. Thorne, her voice a warm blanket wrapping around Willow. Her smile was kind. Her colorful glasses as unique as her pale blue eyes. Dr. Thorne was around her mother’s age, and Willow had felt immediately safe with her.
“Morning,” Willow replied, her voice steadier than she felt. She shed her jacket and scarf, placing them on the hook by the door.
“Come in—make yourself comfortable,” Dr. Thorne offered, gesturing toward the plush couch, while she sat in a wing-backed light pink chair.
As Willow sank into the cushions, she said, “Thank you for seeing me.”
“Anytime, Willow,” Dr. Thorne said, her eyes reflecting a depth of empathy. “Why don’t you start with what’s been going on lately?”
So, she did.
Willow explained about Eli and his past, the kiss all those months ago and everything that had followed. Her fingers traced the edge of the plush throw pillow as she spilled her heart out in that room.
Across from her, Dr. Thorne did what she did best, she listened.
“Being with Eli,” Willow said, “it was like discovering a part of myself I’d forgotten—or maybe never knew existed. With him, laughter came effortlessly, and moments felt...full, alive.”
Dr. Thorne nodded. “It sounds like he brought a great deal of joy into your life.”
“He did,” Willow said, allowing herself a small smile at the memory. “I know it was all for pretend, but then it wasn’t, and I was happy.”
“Was there a specific moment that stands out to you as the best?” Dr. Thorne asked.
“I guess it being Christmas right now has helped,” Willow answered. “The bar’s all decorated, so full of life, and festive cheer.”
“Sounds magical,” Dr. Thorne murmured.
“It was,” Willow affirmed, before that day came back to her mind. “Until Buck stormed into the bar, drunk and belligerent.”
She paused, her heart hitching as she relived the terror that had gripped her when Buck’s hands shoved against her, the force of his anger palpable.
“Go on,” Dr. Thorne urged softly.
“His eyes were wild, unfocused,” Willow recounted, as she wrapped her arms around herself. “He went after Amie, and I tried to intervene. That’s when he pushed me, hard, and I fell to the floor.”
In the silence that followed, Willow could almost hear the echo of the impact.
“Then Eli...” She trailed off, the protective fury in his intense eyes filling her mind. “Eli didn’t hesitate. He lunged at Buck, fists flying. It was chaos. Our Christmas decorations—the ones we had all worked on together to raise money for the shelter—were ruined. Ornaments shattered, wreaths broken—everything we created was destroyed.”
“Must have been devastating to see something you cherished so deeply come apart like that,” Dr. Thorne observed.
“Very devastating,” Willow admitted, a single tear breaking free to trace a path down her cheek. “But I also saw Eli defend us without a second thought, even if I know it came from his own personal demons.”
