I finish up with my paperwork for my new job and then make my way to the store for some food. We’re out and Ava has been lifting the load the entire time I’ve been gone, the least I can do is fill the fridge and pantry up now I’m home. As I walk, my phone pings, and I look down to see a message from Luca flash on the screen.
L – I’m coming to visit!
I can’t help it, a huge smile breaks out across my face.
W – What?! When?
L – Monday – I’ll arrive late. Can I crash with you? If not, I’ll book a hotel. I’m going to stay for a while. I might even find some work.
W – That’s a huge step! Of course you can stay with me. I’ll double check with my friend, but I’m certain it’ll be okay.
L – Amazing. Yeah, it is a big step but you made me rethink my life when you were over here sulking about yours. I want to travel some more. What better place than America with my new bestie?
I laugh.
W – I wasn’t sulking the whole time...
L – Ha! You were. I’ll text you soon! I’m excited.
W – Me too!
Arriving at the store feeling pretty damned good, I pull out a basket and begin walking toward the aisle I want. Chocolate first. Then I’ll think about the healthy things. I’m halfway down the chocolate section when I hear my name. I turn slowly only to see Jagger and Sharleen standing just up from me. My entire body goes into fight or flight mode, and my instincts tell me to flee.
Really, really fast.
I should run.
Get the hell out of here.
“Oh, it’s her,” Sharleen says, her eyes scanning over me.
I want to slap her beautiful face.
Jagger ignores her little comment, and his eyes rake over me.
I hold my breath.
“Willow,” he murmurs.
I nod in his direction, my body forgetting how to work.
“Are you coming to Angel’s party tomorrow night?”
I shake my head. “No, probably not.”
“Why?”
Because you’ll be there.
Because she’ll be there.
Because I can’t be in the same room as the two of you.
“I don’t really feel like it,” is the best I can manage.
Sharleen steps up beside Jagger, her eyes raking over me as she curls her fingers around his arm, shuffling in closer, making it very clear that she isn’t going down without a fight and that he’s with her now. Her eyes are warning me away, yet at the same time, they’re daring me to say something, to do something.
I need to get the hell out of here.
I turn on my heel without another word and walk away, breath stuck in my lungs, sweat trickling over my face. I can’t breathe when he’s around. I can’t think. It hurts, and I’m so fucking sick of the pain.
“Willow.”
The sound of Jagger’s voice coming from behind me has me stopping and closing my eyes, praying that he’d just leave me alone so I could get over this.
Over him.
“I’m sorry you had to see us.”
I turn to look at him and see he’s alone.
How he managed that, I don’t know.
Sharleen doesn’t seem the type to let him just walk over and speak to me.
Though, there aren’t many people in this world that can tell Jagger no if he doesn’t want to do something.
“Look, I just want to move on, okay?” I say, my voice tight. “I need to move on. I need to get over this. Over you. I’m finding that really hard right now. If you see me, Jagger, please, just leave me be.”
“Fuck,” he growls low. “I want to talk to you, I want some time to just ...”
“Just what?” I ask. “What could we possibly talk about? You’re with your wife. I’m happy for you, but I can’t be around for it.”
“You’re not happy for me,” he says, low.
“No, you’re right, I’m not.”
“All I’m askin’ for is time, Willow. There is a lot to sort out. Give me time. Please.”
I can’t say I’ve heard Jagger use the world please very often.
“I can’t, Jagger,” I whisper. “I want you too damn much.”
His eyes flash, and there is a moment, a moment between us that nearly brings me to my knees. The tension in the air is thick, and my heart races as he looks at me in a way that tells me he wants to slam me against these shelves and do wicked things to me. That look is my weakness, and I need to get the hell out of here before I do something stupid.
“There you are,” Sharleen murmurs, rounding the corner, her eyes piercing right through me. “We need to go. Say goodbye to Wilmer.”
Oh no she didn’t.
I open my mouth to fight, god I’m ready to fight, but Jagger puts his hand up, stopping me.
“Not here.”
With that, he turns and walks away, Sharleen following him with a grin on her perfect face.