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“Don’t be sorry. Tonight was incredible. At this point, I wouldn’t care if we were coming home at dawn.”
Luke wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m sure Lisa would have something to say about that.”
Emma tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “She’d give me an earful for breaking curfew.” She smirked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
“Jeremiah might do the same with me when I get back,” he said. “Fingers crossed he’s already asleep.”
“Well, I suppose I should head inside then,” Emma whispered.
Luke nodded, pulling her closer to him. “Yeah, I guess you’d better.”
They locked eyes for a few lingering moments, delaying the night’s end. He wanted to stay there, with her, forever.
Luke felt the thudding of his heart and her arms tightening around his neck.
He leaned in, pressing his lips against hers.
The door flew open.
Startled, he pulled back. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Lisa said, a blush tinting her cheeks. “I was trying to take Riley out.”
Riley bounded through the door and jumped on Luke, then Emma, then back to Luke.
“No worries,” Emma said, reaching over to pet Riley. “Was he a good boy tonight?”
“Of course. He loves his Aunt Lisa.”
“Well, I’m glad he puts on his best behavior for you,” Emma said in a playful tone.
“So, how was everything?” Lisa scanned from Emma to Luke, waggling her eyebrows.
“We had an amazing time—Riley! Sit!” Emma said, reaching down to grab his collar to keep him off Luke.
Luke knelt and extended his hand toward Riley, who jumped onto his lap, tail wagging. “It’s okay. Riley and I are old buds.”
Emma shook her head as she turned back to Lisa. “I’m sorry it’s so late. I would’ve texted you if I had known we’d be gone this long.”
Lisa waved off her concern. “Oh, it’s alright. I’ve had a great time tonight. Riley and I went for a long walk up to the marsh and then came back and made dinner.”
“Thanks again for watching him.” Emma gave a quick nod before diverting her attention to Luke, whose belly rubs had managed to calm Riley down.
Seeing that Emma and Lisa were done talking, Luke stood and brushed the sand off his knees. Emma corralled Riley inside the house and closed the door, then turned back to him.
“Well, I should probably get going,” Luke said. He wanted to kiss her again, but thought it might be a little strange in front of Lisa. He’d have to wait until next time. “I’ll call you tomorrow, or later today, technically.”
“Sounds like a plan. Goodnight, Luke.”
“Goodnight, Emma.”
Luke stepped off the porch and walked toward his car. “Appreciate everything, Lisa,” he called out as he waved goodbye. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“Anytime,” Lisa called back.
As Luke drove home, he gazed out the windshield at the starry sky above. It reminded him that sometimes the best things in life came when you least expected them. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so alive.
Pulling into his driveway, he smiled at the memory of Emma’s laughter ringing in his ears. He couldn’t wait to see her again.
Life was good.
