My heart stumbles over itself as I look up to find Luke sliding into the empty seat across from me.
“Ummm, no… not really… no… God, no.” Good God, I am tongue-tied and my mouth needs to stop opening and words need to stop coming out of it.
He smirks. “I figured as much.”
I shift in my seat, squeezing my legs together. This man still affects me as much as he did when we first met. His cocky attitude is still in place, I see. Some things never change. “How did you figure as much?”
His smirk sits firmly in place and his eyes twinkle. “Baby, it was written all over your body the whole time the jerk was sitting in front of you.”
“Oh really? How?” He’s been watching me all this time?
“When you don’t like someone, but you have to spend time with them, your whole body stiffens into this awkward pose where you kind of lean forward with your back so damn straight it looks like the most uncomfortable position in the world. And you have this strained look on your face that makes me think you’re probably grinding your teeth. And then there’s the way you tap your foot. All dead giveaways.”
I stare at him.
My breathing is shaky and I feel light-headed.
I’m not prepared for this.
I thought I was, but I’m so far from prepared it’s laughable.
When I don’t respond, he leans forward a little. “How are you, Callie?”
I think I may have just moaned.
I hope it wasn’t out loud.
That voice, though.
God, how I’ve missed that voice.
“I’m doing okay. Things could be better, but I guess that’s life, right?”
He nods. “Yes, it is.”
“How are you?”
“Well, if you asked Avery, she’d tell you I’m still a moody bastard, and I guess she’s right. I don’t function well without you.”
Oh, God.
He’s not holding back any punches.
I smile. “Yeah, you always were a moody bastard when you didn’t have me keeping you in line.”
He grins and settles back into his seat. “I miss you.”
I sigh. “I miss you, too, Luke.”
He eyes my empty glass. “You want another drink?”
I quirk a brow. “You’re going to allow me to have another one?”
He stands. “Smartass.” Jerking his chin at the glass, he says, “Vodka?”
I nod. “Thank you.”
I do the only respectable thing I can do as he walks to the bar—I check out his ass.
This may get messy.
Because, goddamn it, Luke owns my heart and it looks like I still own his.
When he returns, he places two drinks on the table. Vodka for me, whisky for him.
“Where is everyone?” I ask as I drink some of mine.
“Their flight was cancelled due to bad weather in Brisbane. They won’t be here until tomorrow.”
“I’m confused. Why are you here, but not them?”
“When Mum booked the flights, they were short a seat so she booked me on an earlier flight because I was the only one not tied down to a commitment today.”
“So, it’s just you and me then…” My voice drifts off with my thoughts.
“Just us, Callie,” he murmurs.
Yes, very messy.
“How’s Sean?” I blurt out, desperate to steer the conversation in another direction.
His lips twitch. He knows what I’m doing. But he plays along. “He’s doing really well. Started school this year and loves it. And he’s spending time every week with Jolene, which has really settled him.”
Happiness floats through me at that news. “How is Jolene?”
He drinks some whisky and eyes me over the rim of the glass. “Surprisingly good. She’s come a long way. The appeal is coming up in a few months, and she’s found a way to think positive thoughts about it. The fact they were able to match DNA evidence from the original murder investigation to Alanis should ensure the appeal is successful. And her relationship with Sean just blows me away.”
I smile. “That’s so good to hear. It sounds like you guys are happy.”
His eyes hold mine. “We’re divorced, Callie.”
I nod. “I know.”
We sit in silence for a couple of minutes, just watching each other. I feel the most relaxed I’ve felt since we broke up. Just being with him makes me happy.
He finishes his drink and places the glass on the table. Standing, he says, “You wanna have dinner together later?”
I try to push the disappointment I’m feeling away. I’m unsuccessful, though, because I was just settling into our conversation. I nod. “I’d like that.”
“I’ll come get you at seven?”
“Sounds good. You want my room number?” I dig in my bag to locate it because I can’t remember it.
“No. I already know it,” he says. “I’ll see you then.”
He leaves me sitting in stunned silence.
He knows my room number.
He was watching me.
I can only hope this won’t get messy.
Or maybe we’ll finally figure out a way to make messy work for us.
* * *
Luke arrives early.
I’m not ready.
The room is in chaos, and so am I.