Chapter 331
LUCIAN
Marcus leaned forward. "Listen, if you want this girl and you're sure you're ready to be a better version of yourself..."
He let the statement hang. His eyes searched my face.
"I'm ready," I said.
"Then go get your girl."
"She told me she needed space," I reminded him. "I want to respect her decision."
Marcus rolled his eyes at the ceiling.
"No, she doesn't," he said. "A woman saying she needs space is the code word for the guy in question to get his shit together. Be there for her. With her. Or some other dude will come and fill in the space you left." He reached into his gym bag and tossed me a bottle of water I caught without thinking.
"Think about it," he said.
As I spun the cap off the bottle, what went through my head was that Marcus did have a very valid point.
*****************
I knocked on Willa's door and told myself I wouldn't leave this time until she answered. I had raised my fist to knock again when the door was jerked open.
Surprise flashed in Willa's dark eyes for a moment.
I spotted a handbag over her shoulder. She had probably been about to go out.
"You," she said, stepped back and made to close the door.
I quickly put my foot next to the door frame.
"Wait. Please," I said. "I'm not here to beg. I... I just want to show you something."
She stopped trying to slam the door on my foot and regarded me suspiciously. Curiosity replaced the expression on her face.
She leaned against the doorjamb, blocking the way inside with her body.
Finally she said, darting a look around the corridor, "Show me what?"
"It's not here, what I have to show you. You will have to come with me." I saw her preparing to say no. "Please."
Willa hesitated, shrugged, shut locked her door then motioned for me to go ahead. I took her to a spot I had picked out, a private field just beyond the student grounds.
At this hour, it was quiet and deserted with no one to disturb us.
"We're here," I said and she looked around.
The air was filled with the smell of freshly cut grass. The setting sun cast a golden glow over everything.
As she started to turn, I pulled something out of my pocket. I held it out to her.
"What's that?" she said, eyeing my closed fist curiously.
I opened my palm. Lying on it was an intricately carved wooden pendant in the shape of a heart on a leather string. She looked up at me, puzzled.
"This belonged to my grandmother," I explained and stroked my thumb across the wooden heart. "She gave it to me. She always used to say that love was the only thing in the world stronger than a Lycan's pride. I used to be doubter... Now I think I believe her. I want you to have it. Wear it... if you can."
I held the pendant out to Willa. She took it, careful not to brush my fingers against mine.
She gently stroked the carved wooden heart in the same way I had. She still hadn't said anything but I sensed she was as hostile as before.
"You don't have to take me back right away if you don't want to," I said. "But whatever happens, Willa, I'm never going to stop trying to convince you that I'm going to better for you."
Willa chewed on her bottom lip.
"You make it really hard to stay mad at you," she said, her eyes glinting with something that looked suspiciously like tears.
This was a better reaction than I had dared hope for.
"That doesn't mean I've forgiven you though," she said sharply, seeing the smile starting to spread across my face.
"Yes," I said. "I understand. Take your time. All the time you need. Whenever you're ready to stop punishing me for being such a fool, I'll be right here, ready and waiting to run back to you."
She started to say something, stopped and then told me it was getting late. In silence we walked back to her dorm.
"You can go now," Willa said after she had unlocked her door.
She stood in front of it, making no move to go in. I didn't move.
The air between us was thick with unspoken words. Willa glanced down at her sneakers. She was drawing patterns with it on the floor and worrying her lip again.
"Willa..." I sighed.
Her head snapped up. I saw need and longing in her eyes. I was sure I looked the same.
I took one step forward. My eyes locked onto hers. Willa's lips parted.
And then I heard laughter. Willa jerked back.
Furious at the interruption, I turned. Naomi, Lisa and Carmen were walking past. They didn't say anything but their eyes were fixed on us.
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