Page 59 of Reluctant Chemistry
CeCe leaned back and closed her eyes, her legs crossed and her wine glass held in a loose grip. “Yes, it is. I love living here.”
“Mitch mentioned you’re working part-time in agricultural research. How’s that going?”
She glanced his way. “Good. It’s busy, though, juggling everything.”
Luka shifted in his chair, trying not to stare at the profile once so familiar to him that now held an air of the unknown. “Sometimes, that’s not a bad thing. Helps keep us focused.”
“It does, and the bills paid.” CeCe smoothed her fingers through her hair. Sipped her wine. “What about you? Are you still with Search and Rescue?”
“Yep. Like you, it keeps me busy.”
As they sat there in silence, questions flooded his thoughts. Was she already with the rock star? Did he make her happy, set her body ablaze? Did she moan his name during sex and smile when she greeted him good morning?
“Actually, I’m glad I found you alone.” CeCe paused and stared out over the lawn. “I wanted to…apologize for how I reacted in the lab. I hadn’t realized how bitter I still was, but I’m going to work on that, and…”
Her hand went to her neck but found no butterfly to ground her. Luka wanted to reach for it, hold it in his, so she knew he understood.
“Anyway,” she continued, “I’d like us to bury the past and move on. Because with you and Mitch being friends, we’re bound to run into each other at times, and I don’t want it to be awkward.”
“You mean an ex-lovers’ truce?”
“If you like.” CeCe smiled. “To be honest, I find it rather strange that you and Mitch are friends.”
There were times when Luka found it strange himself. They’d met at another game of touch rugby after Luka returned from Tulloch Point. At the post-game drinks, they’d both got hammered; it was one of the few times they’d discussed CeCe in any detail. “Sport does that—brings people together. Still, he took a while to warm to me.”
“Mitch tends to be overprotective. Always has been.”
Another silence followed, but some of their earlier unease had dissipated. It gave Luka hope that any future contact between them might be more relaxed. Maybe there was something to be said for an ex-lovers’ truce, where the past was left where it belonged but not forgotten.
Luka sipped his beer, wishing he had something stronger to settle his nerves. “So, you met my folks?”
“I did. Your mother’s a real sweetie.”
Luka looked her way. She glowed under the lights of the veranda, her cheeks rosébright and her smile relaxed. “She is—well most of the time.”
“Your dad said you teach riding?”
“Only to friends. Why? Are you keen?”
“Me? No. I love horses, but they never seem to return the sentiment.” CeCe giggled like she used to as a teenager. “They regard me with suspicion as if they’re staring down their noses at an inferior being. A mere mortal, lacking in confidence and ability, and unworthy of their time.”
He nodded in agreement and chuckled. “I know exactly what you mean. I didn’t learn to ride until I was thirteen, and it took me ages to get the hang of it.” He paused. “What else did my mother say? You appeared to be having quite the chat.”
“Nothing much.” CeCe’s wine glass stopped before it reached her lips. “Just small talk.” She took a mouthful, finishing her drink.
“So you didn’t introduce her to your date, then?” Luka inwardly cringed at his words, surprised his drunken alter ego had loosened his tongue to the extent that he’d mentioned CeCe’s date.
“My date?”
“The guy you walked in with.”
“You’re observant. That’s my cousin Patrick. He lives in Auckland, and his flight was delayed, so I slipped away to pick him up from the airport.”
“I thought he must be your boyfriend from the way your father looked at him.”
“They don’t get on, so…”
Luka let that settle for a moment. She didn’t mention the rock star, but then, as he’d said to his mother, CeCe’s dating status was none of his business. “Would you like another drink?”
