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Emma felt her heart skip a beat as she looked at him, feeling a rush of warmth spread through her body.
“Anytime,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Luke leaned in and kissed her quickly on the lips. “I’ll see you again soon. Send me a text when you get home, so I know you arrived safely.”
Emma stared into his eyes, slowly letting go of his hand. “I will.”
Emma slid into the driver’s seat, her heart swelling with excitement. The memory of that perfect kiss replayed in her mind, like a scene from a fairy tale. It was the kind of kiss that made her believe in magic, in the possibility of something greater than herself.
With a giddy smile on her face, Emma started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, her fingers tapping along to the rhythm of her racing heart. The radio played a Taylor Swift tune, and she couldn’t resist singing along.
As she drove home, she felt a deep sense of contentment, a feeling that had been absent for far too long. The world around her seemed to glow with possibility, and she couldn’t help but marvel at the way her life had taken an unexpected turn. She knew that this was just the beginning of something special, a journey into the unknown with Luke by her side. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Chapter 22
Luke
As the sun rose, painting the sky with a palette of warm hues, Luke’s heart stirred with emotions he hadn’t experienced since Kate’s tragic passing. For months, he had struggled to find his footing in a world without her, unsure of when, or if, he would ever find happiness again. But now, Emma had entered his life and had rekindled his hope for new beginnings. In her, Luke had found the courage to open his heart once again to a love that could lead him to a future brimming with joy and endless possibilities.
Although Luke was exhilarated by Emma’s presence in his life, there lingered a twinge of trepidation deep within him whenever he contemplated moving on from Kate. The thought of starting anew with someone else seemed daunting, as though he were betraying the memory of his late wife. Her passing had left a deep scar on his heart, one that he wasn’t sure would ever fully heal. And yet, being with Emma had lifted a weight off his shoulders that he didn’t even realize he was carrying. With her, he could breathe again, laugh again, and feel a sense of hope that had died along with Kate. But he was afraid of the judgment and the whispers that would come with moving on—and that the world, and especially Jeremiah, wouldn’t understand.
Luke knew that he had a long road ahead to help his son come to terms with his mother’s passing. Jeremiah’s struggle was evident, and Luke knew the idea of him with someone new would only make it worse. Despite that, Luke could not deny the connection he felt with Emma.
Although they had to keep their relationship a secret for now, Luke was willing to do whatever it took to protect his son from any unnecessary pain. He couldn’t wait for the day when he could share the joy Emma had brought into his life, and show Jeremiah that it was possible to find happiness again, even in the face of tragedy.
In their clandestine relationship, Luke and Emma savored every stolen moment. They took turns planning each outing, carefully avoiding any public places where they might be spotted. Emma had suggested they drive to the neighboring town and catch a movie at the colossal fifteen-screen cinema. For their next date, Luke arranged a dinner cruise, sailing the Savannah River. The sunset views and coastal air breezing against their skin aboard the Georgia Queen left them in awe. Each rendezvous was a mini adventure, and Luke couldn’t remember the last time he had enjoyed himself this much.
Together, Luke and Emma found joy in the simple moments, and it didn’t always involve extravagant outings. They cherished the times when they could just unwind and enjoy each other’s company, whether it was cooking dinner together at Emma’s cozy home or assisting her with baking dog treats to fulfill orders. Thankfully, Emma’s cottage was tucked away from prying eyes, making it challenging for anyone to spot Luke’s Range Rover parked there.
Jeremiah hadn’t seemed to miss Luke’s presence much since he was always busy with friends. Luke was glad he was finally getting out of his room and venturing out to the town. He just hoped Jeremiah would stay out of trouble.
One Saturday afternoon, while he waited outside the rescue for Jeremiah to finish his volunteer shift, Lisa passed by. She smiled as soon as she spotted him and walked over.
“Hi Luke. Thinking about adopting a pet?”
Luke chuckled and shook his head. “No, not today. I’m waiting for my son to come out. How have you been?”
“Good, except for missing my friend who has been mysteriously occupied every time I call her to hang out.”
Luke feigned innocence. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
“Mm-hmm.” Lisa gave him a knowing eye. “I’m just kidding, of course. I’m thrilled that she’s finally dating. Especially with her birthday coming up and everything—”
“Birthday?” Luke’s eyes widened. “When is it?”
“September 20th. She didn’t tell you?”
“No, she didn’t. And that’s next week!”
“I guess I’m not surprised she didn’t tell you. She doesn’t usually mention it to anyone.”
Luke furrowed his brows. “She doesn’t tell anyone? Why not? It’s her birthday; why wouldn’t she want to celebrate it?”
Lisa let out a sigh. “She used to, but Emma hasn’t really celebrated her birthday in years. Her friends and I buy gifts and make a cake every year for her, but that’s it. She’s never made a big deal of it.”
“I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t she want to celebrate her birthday? Is she upset about getting older?” Luke asked.
“No, it’s not that. It has to do with her ex-husband.”
