Page 10 (1/2)

"Did I? I didn’t reat taste, Willow" He ood Sexy"

Sexy? Wait a minute "Since when?" she deht of me as your sister"

"Nah, that wasn’t me I think you’re hot"

Hot? Her? It was the answer to all her prayers She waited for the rush of relief, the bubble of happiness Instead she found herself wondering what kind of dirt he was tracking in on her clean floor

She slipped free of his elasses of iced tea

"I did it, Willow," he said as he leaned against the counter "I cleaned up my life, the way you always told ot a job and savedstupid, I’d ask myself, ‘Would Willow do this?’ and then I’d listen to the answer I won a bunch of ht reat co for a house, too"

She didn’t knohat to think It was too much information all at once

"Good for you," she said andis, I don’t want to go back to the way I was," he told her, sounding painfully earnest "I need you in my life, Willow I’, you could coether for a while and if that went as good as I think it’s going to, we’ll get ive that to you now"

A year ago she would have beenChuck finally speak those words--although maybe not as romantically as she would have liked--would have

What rong with her? Sure, she’d sworn off the whole rescuing thing, but this was Chuck Shouldn’t he have tested her resolve?

"I wish you the best," she said sincerely "I’m so happy for you and proud of what you’ve done with your life, but I’ to Tucson"

He moved close and cupped her cheek "Hey, Willow It’s me"

Then he lowered his head and kissed her

She waited for the fae After all, Chuck had slept with her and then told her he didn’t find her appealing in that way

She felt the war in his kiss And that was it She didn’t tingle or strain or even kiss hihtened "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing" Which was true, she thought happily "Absolutely nothing"

"I’ I want you infor that"

"Apparently not asnot to sht and free and totally at peace with herself

"But…" he began

She stepped back "Chuck, I think it’s terrific that you’ve found everything you want I’lad I had some small part in that But you don’t need me to be successful Go find someone you can really love and settle down That will make you happy"

"But you’re the one I want," he said stubbornly

"Not really I’ I don’t do that any You’re doing fine on your own"

He looked more confused than annoyed "But I came back for you"

"Which was really sweet of you"

"You’re supposed to be in love with ht It was a real possibility she’d

He swore "I should have coht have made a difference, but it could have She shuddered to think she one off with Chuck at one tihtlanced at the clock on the wall "I need to get going I have to be sorabbed her aruy?"

If only, she thought, knowing she was cofor a friend"

"If it’s about the s would soon be flying across the west side of Los Angeles "That would be great"

She reently pushed hirabbed her purse and keys on the way

"Thanks for stopping by It’s been really great to see you, Chuck I wish you every happiness"

Once they were safely outside, she locked the door behind her and made her way to her car

"Good luck," she called back to hi for you"

He didn’t wave back or say anything Willow drove off, hborhood, then, when she was sure Chuck was gone, returned to her place

She ran inside and collected candles and ht clai home to a dark and empty house, but she knew that wasn’t true She wanted tothe fact that she’d been extra good In all the tione over to take care of Jasmine and her babies, Willow had never once looked anywhere she shouldn’t She hadn’t even flipped through histo be crowned Miss Privacy Minder of the month

She drove over to Kane’s house and went inside Jas Willow crouched down and petted her, then gently stroked the kittens Two of them already had their eyes open

"Hi, babies," she said softly "You’re getting so big Yes, you are Guess who coht? Kane Are you excited? I’ out the litter, Willow returned to her car and began collecting her bags She was on her way back when an unwelcome and familiar sound made her turn

Chuck drove his motorcycle down the driveway and pulled up next to her He took off his helmet and walked toward her

"There’s someone else," he said flatly "You lied toWant to see the cat?"

He grabbed one of the bags and opened it "Candles and cookies I know you, Willow There’s a guy"