Lorna wore a robe and stood by the window, watching the city breathe below her. The bed behind her still had the marks of Michael's presence—strewn clothes, wrinkled sheets, the ghost of a night that shouldn't have happened but somehow did. He was gone now, again. There was silence, no call, no message, just distance. Lorna put her fingers to her lips, remembering the taste of him, the way he had held her like she was the only solid thing in a world on the verge of falling apart, only to retreat like a wave, taking her peace with him.
This was how she had known it would end. However, that didn't lessen the pain.
The unexpected and oddly timely knock on her door occurred in the middle of the afternoon.
Lucas Madden was standing there when she opened it.
neatly cut. tall. hands in a fitted navy coat's pockets. The sort of man who appeared to belong in order rather than disorder.
He remarked, "I heard about the parking lot incident." "One of your former clients, right? I saw it in the news."
Unexpectedly, she blinked. "Lucas? Why are you here?
"I had meetings in town. You might need a break, I thought. or simply someone who doesn't explode with emotion every few minutes."
She tugged at her lips in a rueful smile. "You always had a gift for language."
He lifted the tray like a peace offering and said, "I also brought coffee."
She moved out of the way. "You are welcome to enter, but don't count on me to be a pleasant companion."
After placing the drinks on her table, Lucas said, "I'll prefer quiet company to none."
They sat in friendly silence for some time. Untouchable, the coffee steamed between them.
At last, Lucas broke it. "Is he back?"
Lorna took a while to respond. She didn't have to.
Lucas gave a nod. "You're worthy of better."
"The whole story is unknown to you."
"I don't have to. I've had enough.
Lorna closed her eyes and leaned back. "I continue to believe that we are making progress. Then he loses it. pulls away. And I'm just left here. picking up the fragments.
Lucas looked at her for a while. Let me show you around. Only a day away. Not a drama. No heartache. Just a fresh breath.
She opened her eyes, wary.
"I don't want anything," he said softly. "No conditions. Only a friend.
And that was exactly what she needed.
Or so she convinced herself.
She gave a nod.
Suddenly, the voids left by Michael were filled, not with passion but with security.
Furthermore, safety can occasionally be far more alluring than danger.