Page 22 of How Good It Was (Excess All Areas 3)

Perhaps she should have measured what little countertop Luke had available before ordering it, and she wondered for a moment how he’d feel about the silver-and-black device that now took up so much space. Once the coffee had brewed and she’d taken her first sip, she sighed.

It didn’t matter what Luke thought—the coffee maker was staying, because tea was gross.

Sitting at the breakfast bar, she opened her messages. There was one from Riley.

Remember that guy from 7th grade? Bryce. Was only in school for a year before he moved to Winnipeg? Turns out he moved to play hockey and just signed with the Kings. Looks HAWT!

Willow grinned and typed. Then, go get him, Tiger.

Kelly, Riley’s mom, had also sent her an email. They hoped she was okay and were worried and wanted to know if they could help, because leaving without talking to them was so unlike her.

She took a sip of the coffee, wondering how on earth to respond. They’d been her real family, while her own family had been nothing more than a business, where she was the only product. John, Riley’s dad, had been a used car salesman who’d done good. He’d worked hard, opened franchise car dealerships, scrap metal merchants, and been good with people and money. While his wealth was now mid-level Malibu, he was still a blue-collar grafter who remembered where he’d started.

Riley was embarrassed by her dad, but Willow admired him. Heck, she admired both Kelly and John. They were as in synch with each other as any two people could be. Still very much in love with each other after nearly thirty years.

She’d always said they were couple goals.

Supportive. Loving. Always open and honest in their communication.

She glanced over at the contract printed out in triplicate, waiting for Luke to sign it, and wondered what John would think of her plan.

Yesterday, she’d put her signature in all the relevant places. Now, she just needed Luke’s. Her phone told her she’d also missed three calls and five emails from her father, added to the DMs he’d sent to her social media platforms. He was furious with her. But she wasn’t ready to deal with him yet.

Quickly, she responded to Kelly, letting her know that she was fine and that she was staying with a friend.

With a clatter, the door burst open. “Motherfucker.”

The curse, even mumbled, was clearly Luke, and it made her smile. “Hey,” she said as he rounded the corner. His eyes were red and tired.

“Everything okay, flower?” he asked with a yawn, dropping his large black tote bag.

Flower.

She wondered if he called every woman that, or if it was just a thing he did for her.

“Yeah, I’m good. I wasn’t expecting you back this early. I only just finished my workout. I borrowed the weights in your bedroom. Hope you don’t mind.”

Luke shook his head. “Don’t mind at all, but is that healthy with the ... ?” He looked down at her stomach.

“You can say the word baby you know.”

“Yeah. Right. The baby.”

“I worked out every day before I got pregnant. My ob-gyn in Malibu says it’s fine to continue.”

“Fair enough. Wait, what the fuck is that spaceship on the counter?”

Willow picked up her cup and took a sip to hide her smile. “A coffee maker.”

“Jesus Christ. A family of four could live inside it.”

“It’s not that big.” She hopped down off the stool. “Would you like a coffee, Luke? You look tired.”

He rubbed a hand over his stubbled jaw. “Sure.”

“What kind of coffee?”

“Surprise me.”

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