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The corners of his mouth lifted into a sly grin as he guided her over to the car. “We’ll splurge tonight.”
Sinking into the plush back seat of the car as they left the heliport, Emma’s imagination took her somewhere else. Her thoughts floated to a place of uncertainty, pondering how she would fit into Jeremiah and Luke’s lives. She barely noticed when he reached over and took her hand, pulling her back to the moment.
“Hey, you alright?”
She offered a hesitant smile. “Yeah, I am. It’s nothing.”
“You know you can tell me anything,” he said, gently squeezing her hand. “It’s not nothing.”
She hesitated, her fingers toying with the edge of her seatbelt. Drawing a shaky breath, she whispered, “What happens when you tell Jeremiah about us? If he’s not ready?” Her eyes darted toward the window, then back to Luke. “I’m falling for you. And I don’t want to lose you. But if Jeremiah isn’t on board—“ She swallowed hard. “I don’t think I could live with being the reason that your relationship with him never gets fixed.”
Understanding seemed to dawn on Luke’s face. “Emma, I’ve already fallen for you. And I don’t want to lose you either.” He exhaled deeply. “I don’t know how he’ll react. Nothing worth having is ever easy. But we’ll figure it out. Together.”
Emma bit her lip. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to ruin our night.”
Pulling her closer, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “Emma, you’re not, and never could. Promise.”
Emma’s vision blurred, tears building behind her eyes, but she blinked them back. Memories of Chad flashed through her mind—those times he’d scoffed at her dreams or belittled her feelings. She squeezed Luke’s hand, letting her head fall onto his shoulder, grateful she could open up about her deepest fears and insecurities. Things were different with him.
With every beat of her heart, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be—in the arms of a man who truly cared for her.
The car’s deceleration became more pronounced cruising through the lamplit streets of Savannah. As they neared 37th Street, Luke shot Emma an expectant glance. “So, are you hungry?”
Emma nodded. “I am.”
“Well then, you’re in for a treat.” As the vehicle settled to a halt, she followed Luke’s gaze to the window.
Outside stood one of the swankiest restaurants she had ever seen. The extravagant manor had a timeless grace about it, with stone steps leading up to an entrance flanked by tall white columns on both sides. It looked more like a historical relic than a restaurant.
“It’s beautiful! Are we really eating here?” Emma turned back to face him.
Luke chuckled, stepping out and opening the door for her. “Absolutely. We have reservations.” He grabbed her hand, leading her up the steps and through the entrance.
Inside, a grand foyer greeted them, dominated by an elegant chandelier above their heads that played with the light in mesmerizing patterns. Emma’s eyes wandered, soaking in the sumptuous details of rich colors, vintage furniture, and daring art.
The two eventually made their way to a back terrace that held a picturesque view of the charming square filled with towering trees adorned with the iconic Spanish moss.
As they settled into their seats, the scent of fresh bread wafted in the air. Luke ordered a bottle of wine. Meanwhile, Emma’s fingers grazed the crisp linen, her attention drawn to the golden play of light from the candlesticks reflecting off the silverware. Every detail spoke of a luxury she had only ever imagined.
“How did you know about this place?” she asked.
With a grin that made his eyes crinkle, Luke confessed, “Just a Google search. The reviews of this place were awesome.”
“It’s incredible,” Emma remarked.
“And,” Luke continued, “it’s vegan-friendly.”
Emma’s heart melted. “You thought of everything, didn’t you?”
His chuckle was both shy and proud. “Just wanted tonight to be perfect for you. For us.”
Luke winked at her and opened the menu. She blushed and picked up her own menu, revealing the elegant script and mouthwatering descriptions of the restaurant’s offerings.
Mulling over the menu and making their selections, Emma smiled when Luke ordered the portabella steak, mirroring her choice. She’d playfully told him he didn’t need to, but his decision spoke volumes. Those tiny, thoughtful gestures reminded her how different he was from her past, and she was still adjusting to the novelty of having someone like Luke in her life.
While they waited for their food to arrive, another waiter approached cradling a bottle of wine. He artfully poured it into their glasses, the ruby liquid capturing the candlelight. She took a sip and savored the complex flavors as warmth radiated throughout her body. Then, in the midst of their conversation, the soft hum of a violin began to fill the air, each note playing in harmony with the magical aura of the night.
It was a moment she knew she would never forget.
