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Luke’s head swiveled as he surveyed the surroundings. “Now I see why they call it the Treehouse Café.”
“It’s stunning,” she remarked as they settled at a table by the window, which held a spectacular view of the woods under the twinkling stars.
As Emma picked up the menu, her stomach rumbled and they both laughed.
“Sounds like someone’s ready to order,” Luke said.
Emma chuckled, her cheeks warming. “Seems like it.”
As they settled on their orders, the server brought over two glasses of wine and a basket of rolls. Emma took a sip, letting the wine’s rich taste calm her nerves. Luke plucked a roll from the basket, broke it in half, and buttered it. “Try one,” he said, holding out the basket to Emma.
She paused for a split second. Normally, she’d avoid bread before a meal, but she hadn’t eaten since lunchtime and couldn’t resist tearing one open and taking a bite.
As they shared the rolls, Luke’s eyes drifted to the window. “That’s the Bridwell Lighthouse, right?”
Emma nodded. “It’s a short walk from the beach, but by car, you’d need to loop around the cove to get there.”
Luke seemed lost in its beauty.
Emma smiled. “Did you know it’s the tallest lighthouse in the country? It dates back to the American Revolution.”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “Really? You’re like a walking history book.”
“Blame it on my grandpa and his endless stories,” Emma said, chuckling. “We should walk up there after dinner.”
“At this time of night? I don’t know. Isn’t that something teenagers would do?”
She gave a playful shrug. “Maybe, but why let them have all the fun?”
He chuckled. “You’ve got me there. Let’s do it.”
Emma grinned, raising her wineglass. “Here’s to us living in the moment.”
When the plates arrived, they dug in, savoring every bite. Even in silence, Emma was comfortable in Luke’s presence. She didn’t need to fill the air with small talk to feel connected with him.
As she twirled a forkful of butternut squash ravioli into her mouth, she noticed how each ingredient had been perfectly crafted to create a symphony of flavors and textures on her taste buds. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to be fully immersed in its artistry.
When Emma opened them, she saw that Luke seemed to be enjoying every bite of the meal as much as she was. She marveled at how someone like him existed, and her heart overflowed with gratitude for this unexpected gift, as if destiny had orchestrated this very moment.
After finishing their meals, Luke reached for the bill, insisting on paying for dinner, while she protested for a split check. They finally reached a compromise, agreeing that Emma would pay for the next date as they left the restaurant.
Stepping out into the warm Georgia night, the sight of fireflies greeted them. The tiny insects bobbed up and down, illuminating their bodies like miniature spotlights.
Feeling the soft earth beneath her, Emma paused and slipped off her heels, opting to carry them instead. She shot a glance at Luke. “Not the best choice for a little hike, right?”
Luke chuckled, looking down at the heels and then back at her. “Good call.”
Emma’s gaze settled on a worn wooden sign near a tree-lined path. It had an illustration of the lighthouse. “It’s just up that way.” She pointed.
Luke extended his hand toward Emma. “Shall we?”
Grinning, Emma slid her hand into his. “Let’s go.”
The instant warmth and solid feel of his hand sent a gentle, tingling sensation up her arm.
They followed the winding path through the trees, which dipped and rose with the contours of the woods. The fireflies Emma had spotted earlier seemed even more abundant here, flickering their lights in the darkness, allowing them to catch glimpses of the lighthouse through the trees.
They emerged from the woods, and the towering structure came into view, casting its shadow on the water.
