Page 53 of Back to Willow

“The plot thickens,” Hazel speaks up, finally showing interest in something. Of course, it has to be me squirming for a way out. “Don’t leave us hanging! Tell the deets!”

“Yes!” Sofia agrees.

“As I had asked, have you talked ever since?” Johanna presses.

“We met yesterday—”

“Oh!” Sofia gasps. “Then he was probably the one I saw you walking with last night. Wow, he looked hot!”

What?

“He did seem a little older, though,” she comments, deep in thought. “But then again, it was already dark, and I wasn’t particularly close.”

“That was Professor Adell,” I blurt.

“What?” Ethan’s voice comes out high-pitched, more than he probably intended.

Oh my, what have I gotten myself into? My cheeks burn with shame as all eyes stay locked on mine.

“Well…Things didn’t go well with, ahm, Liam. I was trying to, uh, recompose myself when Professor Adell found me.”

“He better not have been an asshole,” Ethan sneers.

And thankfully, just like that…all attention shifted away from one precarious situation to the other. I’d rather spill the tea—even if there isn’t any— about Professor Adell than my first and only love.

“No, actually…” I trail off, remembering how kind and attentive he was.

For someone who made sure to make my life hell at first, he never once tried to prod at my privacy, knowing I wouldn’t want to talk about it. Much unlike Johanna has done in this dinner, putting me on the spot in front of everyone.

I end up settling with a simple, “He was nice.”

“He was?” three voices ask in unison, surprise lacing all of their tones.

“Yes, he walked me to my car because it was late and dark. Didn’t even ask questions about what had upset me. I reckon it’s a development from the hostile behaviour from before…”

Ethan is the first to react, smiling kindly and commenting, “That’s good. He finally got some sense into that thick skull.”

From there, the conversation carries on, laughter erupting more often than not, and slowly, I feel my body relax as the comfort seeps back in. Johanna still locks gazes with me a few times but doesn’t attempt to pull the subject back to Liam.

As it gets later, Sophia is the first one to leave, having to work early the next morning. And Ethan and Hazel go a few minutes after as well since he has to take her home. Awkwardly, I stay behind in the hopes of talking to Johanna.

“It’s getting late; I have to go, too,” I say as I help her carry the empty plates to the kitchen.

“Yeah, sure.” She smiles tightly, walking me to the front door.

Putting on my thick coat, I take a deep breath as I brace myself for the words I’m about to force out. “Look, Johanna,” I start. “Just know it’s not my goal to meddle with your relationship with Liam.”

“It’s not that easy, Willow,” she sighs. “You two obviously have history but not closure.”

I wince. Just as my mouth opens to answer her, a loud knock on the front door startles the both of us.

“I’m so sorry,” I mumble. “I’ll get out of your way.”

My hand finds the doorknob, twisting it open, but instead of finding my escape home, I come face to face with Liam’s blue eyes.

Again.

EIGHTEEN

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