You're Mine

Chapter Sixteen

Riley

Sunlight streams through the curtains the next morning, waking me up slowly. I groan slightly, feeling my hand tug on something as I look up. My arm is outstretched, my fingers interlinked with Luke's as his head rests near mine on the other half of the sofa.

I linger there for a moment, his warm hand in mine. His hand feels so familiar in mine- as if it was always meant to be there, even after all this time.

It's an alarming realisation, isn't it? That someone who left you slides back into your life so easily- too easily. It's almost painful, because it shouldn't be that way.

After Chris, it felt like all relationships, all love I was going to have from then on was going to be hard. He made me feel like maybe that's what real adult love was- hardship and ache.

But Luke's hand in mine suggests something else- it suggests maybe this is how it's supposed to be. Easy, relaxing, comforting. As if it was meant to be.

A glance at the clock let's me know I'm running late for work, and I quickly pull away from him and down the hall to get ready.

I sigh, stepping into the shower and begin to wash my hair. How did I end up back here? How, in just over a month, have I become that girl from high-school again? Someone who needs him. Someone who can't seem to spend a day without him.

It look me a long time to move on from Luke and a part of me always stayed with him. Getting over him never really happened and I don't think it ever will.

Chris was a different story. We went through things I hope I'll never experience with someone again. Things I don't know how I'd even explain to Luke- if he would still look at me the same after.

"I know you're mad.." My voice trailed off, my throat becoming unimaginably tight as I glanced around the mostly empty room. An woman with sleek red hair met my eyes and offered a small smile- something that said, I understand. "But I needed you today. I know this isn't what you want, but it's what I need Chris."

"Riley Fray?" The nurse smiles at me. I sigh, clicking off the call. "It's time to come in now sweetheart. Let's have a chat."

So much for always being there for each other, I thought collecting my things. So much for.

I get dressed, flinging clothes around my room in a desperate attempt to find my work apron. I curse as my hand rattles off a box, hiding underneath the clothes.

I crouch down, yanking it out from under the bed and feel my stomach drop. Chris' stuff, that I refused to give back for so long that he gave up asking. Mostly out of spite, but a tiny part of me couldn't bear to let it go.

But maybe it was time to give it back. Time to be more mature. Seeing Chris again was hardly at the top of my agenda, but maybe it's something I have to do.

To move forward.

Luke's awake when I came back into the living room, my hair tied up tightly. He yawns, his eyes half closed as he looks over at me. "We fell asleep?"

"I guess we did." I shrug. "Are you working today?"

"It's a Saturday, so no." He replies. I roll my eyes.

"Alright for some." I tease.

Luke hauls himself off the sofa, scratching the back of his neck. "Listen, it's Lucy's birthday in a few days. I really want to throw something, but I don't know what to do."

"Why don't you have a party?" I suggest, pulling out two mugs. Luke chuckles.

"If you saw my apartment you'd understand why I can't host a party." He sits down at the island, his hand clasping around the mug of coffee I've just poured him. I decide I can afford to be ten minutes late to the coffee shop- Fey will understand.