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Emma’s grip tightened on his arm.
“I’m sorry for bringing this up. I know it must be strange for you to hear about my late wife.” Luke wiped a tear from his eye, each word heavier than the last. “But I think you understand me in a way no one else does. I hope that’s okay.”
She smiled, reaching down and giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “It’s okay, Luke. Talking about Kate and your past is a part of who you are, and I want to know all about it. I want to know the real you.”
Luke swallowed hard, struggling to keep his voice steady. “Thanks. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had someone to talk to like this.”
“I’m here for you, Luke. Always.” With empathetic eyes, Emma leaned in closer to him.
Luke smiled; and his tone was reflective as he spoke. “You know what’s strange? She had always wanted to live on the Georgia coast. It’s a big reason why Jeremiah and I moved down here. Then I happened to move into your old house, and Riley showed up and now we’re here. Life never turns out the way we think it will. But I’m glad life brought me to you.”
A tear slid down Emma’s cheek. “Me too, Luke.”
A heavy pause hung between them before Luke finally spoke up. “I need to tell you something, and it may sound weird. I’ve been wanting to tell you this the whole night.”
At the stoplight, Luke turned to face Emma.
“I love you,” he confessed, his voice barely more than a whisper. “It’s crazy saying that out loud, but it’s the truth. On paper, the timeline doesn’t make sense, but everything else about us does.”
Emma’s heart raced, and a warm flush rose to her neck. Every word he spoke resonated, placing her between the past and the future.
Gathering her thoughts, she looked deeply into his eyes. “It’s not weird, Luke. I feel exactly the same way. I love you too.”
To Emma, this was the kind of love that made her feel alive again, to take risks and chase dreams—and without a doubt, was worth fighting for.
The hum of the engine faded as they came to a stop in Emma’s moonlit driveway. A familiar tune on the radio captured her attention.
Emma turned up the volume, tapping to the melody with a smile. “It’s our song, from The Point.”
“How could I forget?” Luke turned off the car and extended his hand to her with a playful grin. “Care for another dance?”
The sparkle in her eyes gave away her answer. And there, beneath a canopy of stars, they danced. There were no grand gestures, no audience. Just two souls moving in a way that only they understood. The world around them blurred as the song played on with every step they took, every gentle sway. It was as if the universe had conspired to give them this perfect moment.
As the final notes drifted away, Luke pulled Emma close, their foreheads touching, sealing the memory of the evening with a kiss.
28
Luke
As Luke gazed down at their interlocked fingers, it felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.
“Thanks again for listening,” he said. “I feel like I have a fresh start with you.”
Most women, he had believed, might have turned away at the mere mention of his late wife. Emma, however, was different.
“Well, you’re already off to a great start,” she said. “None of my other boyfriends have ever taken me for a ride in a helicopter.”
Luke chuckled, appreciating how she always knew when to throw humor into a conversation.
Together, they moved toward the front door, Emma held her heels in one hand while taking Luke’s hand with the other. He thought about how she had grown even more beautiful as the night went on. They reached the porch, where light illuminated the swarm of moths and mayflies circling the bulb. He heard the faint sound of the television from inside.
“I should relieve Lisa of her dog-watching duties,” Emma said.
Luke glanced at his watch. “Wow, I hope I haven’t kept you out too late. Do you have an early start tomorrow?”
“At six. But I’m used to it. Besides, it’ll be Thursday, which means it’s almost Friday and the weekend is just around the corner.”
“I’m sorry. I should’ve checked with you about your schedule.”
