Reasons Why

Chapter Twenty Two

Before she opened her eyes, Chloe could hear Luke talking to her parents. It was almost like watching something unfold from above, an out of body experience, but she knew she wasn't dead...just very, very shocked. As she tried to fight the return to consciousness, held her eyes closed, she was left wondering just where Luke Petrakis had come from, and how much of her life story he'd heard.

"She's waking Mrs Palmer, we won't need an ambulance!" Luke smiled with relief, and tried to move away some of the crowd who'd loved seeing some drama in the hallway and gathered in large groups. Along with Mr Palmer the three had managed to get Chloe to a bench, and she was now lying on there looking deathly pale.

Mrs Palmer sighed, "I guess she was surprised to see you Luke!"

He'd introduced himself as they tried to catch her, stop her hitting the ground in her dead faint. He smiled at the older woman and nodded, "I knew she'd hate it if I told her I was coming!"

She nodded, "she did mention you to us, but Phil told us more than her. Seems you've been good for her!"

He sighed, "I love her, I just hope she'll talk to me!"

As her parents both looked on, Chloe started to open her eyes, when they landed on Luke, fear swept over her face.

"You ok?" he asked from a squatted position his face level with hers, when she nodded and tried to sit up, he added, "well I don't know what response I hoped for, but I didn't think you'd be falling at my feet, or scared of me."

She tried to smile, but it was a watery attempt, "I need to get up."

Luke helped her, then led her and her parents out of the public eye. Out in the street, she closed her eyes, glad of the fresh breeze to cool her scalding cheeks.

Finally she turned to her parents, "can we meet at the Emerald Square for dinner as we planned?" She glanced at Luke, "it was Owen's favourite restaurant, we promised we'd go there together when this was over." She turned back to her parents, "Luke and I really need to talk."

Her father nodded, kissing her cheek before shaking Luke's hand, "we'll see you at seven?"

Chloe smiled and watched them disappear back to their car. Then she turned to Luke. For a moment, all words failed her. She'd dreamt about him so much, but none of the images had done him justice. He really was beautiful, he'd lost weight, his face was more gaunt than in the summer, but his eyes were warm, hopeful, and his smile lit up the gloomy street.

"You were magnificent today Chloe. I was so proud of you."

She took a deep breath finding it hard to deal with that. He knew everything about her. And that was what was unsettling, plus the fact that she'd not expected him here, she'd ended it, told him clearly that there was no future in this, and she stood by that. Now he was here, talking to her parents, inveigling himself into her life. Anger duelled with her desire for him that still overwhelmed her, but today was all about self preservation, and that didn't include Luke Petrakis, she had to stick by that.

"You shouldn't have come," her offer was quiet and controlled.

"Why wouldn't I? I love you, I wanted to support you, I should have been here holding your hand."

She shook her head, "no Luke, I told you it was over, that hasn't changed."

He looked at her stunned, "you said the distance was an issue, I'm trying to prove it isn't it, don't push me away again."