AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Alright, Emma. I hope you change your mind, and I’ll give you all the time you need. When you’re ready, I’ll be here.”
She waited until she heard him walk away to turn around. Emma let out a frustrated sigh and leaned against her trunk as a rush of memories flooded her mind. At her mother’s funeral, she remembered her dad hugging her tightly and telling her he’d always be there for her.
When his day drinking started, she thought she’d be a good enough reason for him to stop, but that didn’t happen. After everything he’d put her through, she couldn’t forgive him; not easily, anyway.
Once sure he’d reentered the store, she slid into her car. As she put the key in the ignition and turned it, nothing happened. She tried again. Nothing. She took the key out and tried it once more. Still, nothing.
“Not again!” she shouted, smacking the steering wheel.
Emma leaned her head on the headrest and closed her eyes, counting backward from ten, and expelled a deep, drawn-out breath. As she gathered herself, she remembered Gary’s Garage had a new tow truck. She’d just call them and have them tow it to the shop, where, hopefully, they would find out what was wrong. She could still get home in no time to start baking for the upcoming event. Things were going to be okay.
She rifled through her purse for her phone. Turning it upside down, lint and wrappers tumbled out, but no phone. She checked her pockets and looked under the seat.
It must be at home.
Emma closed her eyes again and let out an even louder scream.
Could today get any worse?
38
Luke
Luke fired up the car and eased out of the driveway. He reached for the console, turning on the radio and cranking the volume. An oldies tune faded out as he took the turn from Muscadine Drive onto the main road.
As the next song began, Luke’s heart jolted like a needle skipping on vinyl. It was the song he and Emma had danced to at The Point.
Drifting back to that moment, he remembered it being a time when he had been genuinely happy. But now, that was all it remained—a memory. Luke knew the sting of losing Emma would eventually fade, but it was still too raw.
Should he start dating again?
The thought lingered, but was unsettling.
The idea of being with anyone other than Emma, kissing anyone other than her, didn’t sit right with him. He doubted it ever would.
Pulling into the supermarket, he parked, and his pulse began to pound like a drum. Directly ahead, Emma was leaning against her car. He caught his breath, unbuckled, then stepped out.
He halted a few steps away, raising his hand in a tentative wave. “Hey, Emma.”
Emma’s eyes widened, a fleeting moment of surprise crossing her face. She hesitated for a second, then looked up at him, biting her lower lip. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, and her nose was red.
Luke hurried over to her. “What happened? Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “Just one of those days.”
Before he could say anything else, Emma crumpled into him, her tears soaking his shirt. He held her close, gently stroking her back. With vivid clarity, his thoughts drifted to when he’d held her as they danced at The Point. Once again, he felt the ocean breeze against his skin, the sound of her beautiful laugh, her perfume’s fragrance, and the way she had gazed at him with those kind brown eyes.
Even after telling himself a thousand times it was over, in his heart, it was far from over.
39
Emma
Emma buried her face in Luke’s chest, causing a flood of emotions to run through her body. The aroma of his laundry detergent, so unmistakably him, brought back a rush of cherished memories. She felt at home in his arms as she dreamed for a moment they were still together.
“Emma, don’t cry,” he said, reaching down and taking her hand. “Can you tell me what’s wrong? I want to help if I can.”
Through tear-filled eyes, she looked up at him and realized if she stayed in his arms for one second longer, she might not have the strength to walk away again.
