Remembering Yesterday

She grinned, tossing her shoulder length ebony hair, revealing a trail of studded stars on her collar bone, above the scooped neck of her skin tight t-shirt. “I got it a few days ago, do you like?”

Ava peered closer. “I love.”

They linked hands together, walking toward the lake.

“So how did it go?” Willow asked, wasting no time getting to the heart of the matter.

A lump grew in Ava’s throat. “Good.”

Bright blue eyes glared at her. “Come on, you’re not going to leave me hanging like that. First you did not want to talk over the phone, and now you are playing even dumber.”

They reached the edge of the lake and halted, staring out at the tranquil beauty of the water. “I had sex with him.”

Willow whooped and Ava elbowed her playfully. “Shut up.”

Her friend grinned. “Was it good?”

Ava nodded.

“Deets!”

A blush climbing her neck she answered, “It was so good, I can still feel him.”

Willow’s eyes widened. “That good, huh?” Then with a cheeky grin she asked, “Was it as dirty as you remembered?”

“Yeah, and I cannot stop thinking about him, and not the sex either, but just how good I felt being with him, you know?”

“I know,” Willow said softly with shadows in her eyes.

Concern lurched through Ava. “Are you okay? We missed our weekly girls’ pow wow recently.”

Willow licked her lips. “He…Matthias is being released three weeks from today.”

Ava froze. Devlin’s brother was being released? She grabbed Willow’s hand. “How do you feel?” There had been a huge scandal in the town years ago when Matthias had attacked Willow’s uncle, the trial afterwards, Matt’s conviction, and Willow’s uncle walking away unprosecuted had been bandied about for months.

Willow tipped her head to the sky a frown on her face. “I…I do not know. We have not spoken since he was taken away. I…I’m a mess. I ache to see him, but I also hate him for refusing to see me, for sending back all of my letters. But then I realize he must have the greater hate, because of me he has been locked away for ten years.”

“It was because he loved you that he did what he did for you. I’m sure he does not regret it.”

Willow lowered her eyes to Ava and the wealth of pain, fear and hope in her friend’ eyes gutted her. “Do you believe so?”

“I am damn sure of it.”

Willow smiled. “I have my own plans to march over to wherever he will be staying and demand an answer, and maybe I hope you and I have the same outcome. Sex.”

“Willow!”

She laughed, and Ava was glad to hear it. Willow sobered, a half smile still on her lips. “Your man is here.”

Ava mind blanked for precious seconds. “Devlin?”

“Yes, and your parents are giving him the death glare.” Then with a wink, Willow walked away.

Ava spun around and he was almost upon her. Her heart was roaring in her ear and hammering in her chest. Several town folks threw them curious looks, and a few even paused and stared. Of course, it would be unusual for them to see a Kane with a Calhoun.

“Hi,” she said.

He stuffed his hands into the pocket of his jeans, and his lips twitched. “Should I walk away?” he asked frankly. Intense green eyes weighed her expression, waiting for her answer.