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Luke remembered his brief encounter with Emma’s ex-husband at The Point and knew he was a scoundrel, but he didn’t realize he was this cruel. “He didn’t celebrate her birthdays?”
“Well, he’d still get her a little something for the occasion, but it was never thoughtful,” Lisa said. “I thought it was strange that we never did anything for her birthday, so I finally told her I was going to plan a big party with all of her friends for her. And that’s when she told me what Chad had told her.”
“Which was?” Luke asked, almost dreading to hear the answer.
“He somehow convinced her it was narcissistic to celebrate your birthday. It was fine to do when you’re younger, but not as an adult.”
“This guy is really something,” Luke said.
“I agree wholeheartedly. And you know, it’s a little ironic Chad always used to put Emma down about celebrating birthdays, since he was so into himself, and always bragging about his own accomplishments. I swear whenever I went out to dinner with both of them, it would turn into the ‘Chad Hour.’ I couldn’t be happier that he’s out of her life.”
Luke couldn’t believe what he had just heard. His anger was rising, and he bit down on his lip to control it. Emma was a sweet and caring person, and the fact that she felt bad about celebrating her own birthday just wasn’t right. He knew he had to do something special for her.
“Lisa, I want to do something for Emma’s birthday, but I’m not sure what yet. Could you help me out?” Luke asked, his voice heavy with determination.
Lisa’s face lit up with excitement. “Of course! I’m more than happy to help. Here, take my number. Just let me know what you need, and I’ll be there.”
Luke pulled out his phone and quickly saved Lisa’s number. “Thanks a ton. I’ll brainstorm some ideas and reach out to you soon.”
“Perfect! Emma would be happy with anything you did for her, but I know something she has always wanted to do is take one of those coastal helicopter tours. For her fortieth birthday last year, I had one booked for us and some of our girlfriends, but Chad told her she couldn’t go,” Lisa explained, a hint of disappointment creeping into her voice.
Luke nodded, a spark of determination igniting within him. “Okay, we’re going to make this a day she’ll never forget.”
At that moment, Jeremiah walked out of the rescue and Lisa said her goodbyes, walking back toward town.
Later that evening, Luke went into his office determined to plan the perfect celebration for Emma’s birthday. With the weight of secrecy on his shoulders, he knew he couldn’t risk being seen in town. Every detail had to be executed flawlessly, without a hint of suspicion.
Sitting down at his desk, he began to scour Google for inspiration, poring over countless pages and websites. As he sifted through the options, one idea stood out: sending a bouquet of Gerbera daisies to her at school on the morning of her birthday.
With a sense of excitement, Luke began to make arrangements for the flowers to be delivered, ensuring that they would arrive at just the right moment. For Luke, every detail mattered. In his heart, he knew that this was more than just a birthday celebration, it was a chance to show Emma just how much she meant to him. And as he worked, his heart overflowed with joy, knowing that he was creating a day that she would hold onto forever.
As the week progressed, Luke found it difficult to contain his excitement and keep his plans a secret from Emma. He worked tirelessly to prepare for their special dinner date, eagerly anticipating the moment when she would see the surprise he had in store for her. But first, it would all begin with the delivery of the flowers.
When the morning of Emma’s birthday arrived, Luke anxiously checked his phone for any confirmation that the flowers he had ordered had been delivered. However, there was no update or photo confirmation from the florist yet. Trying not to worry, he continued with his morning routine, taking a shower and making breakfast.
By the time he dropped off Jeremiah at school and headed back home, his phone still remained silent. Luke started to wonder if he should call the florist to inquire about the delivery. Perhaps, there was a mistake or delay.
But as he pulled into the driveway, his phone chimed, interrupting his thoughts. Luke parked his SUV and retrieved his phone from the dashboard. A sense of relief washed over him as he saw a photo of a stunning bouquet on the reception desk at Emma’s school. They looked even more beautiful than the online stock photo. Though Emma was likely in class, she would surely see them during her morning break. Luke exhaled, glad that the flowers had arrived on time. He unbuckled his seatbelt and entered the house, ready to prepare for a conference call.
As the morning sun rose higher in the sky, Luke found himself distracted, checking his phone every few minutes for a message from Emma. He had included a note with the bouquet, so she would know they were from him. But there weren’t any texts from her yet. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of worry in his chest. What if she didn’t like them?
He considered sending a text himself but decided against it. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself Emma was a busy woman and would reach out when she had a chance.
Luke sat down at his laptop, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Emma and the flowers. He tried to focus on his work, answering a few emails and checking his schedule for the rest of the week. But every few minutes, he found himself glancing over at his phone, hoping for a message from her.
Once Luke had finished catching up on work, he settled back into his chair, and collapsed against the soft, pillow-like material. His eyes transfixed on the screen of his phone as he scrolled through pictures they had taken on top of the Bridwell Lighthouse, a place that had become special to both of them. He smiled as he reminisced about the night they had shared their first kiss. It had been magical, and he could only hope that this evening, planned with so much care and love, would be just as unforgettable.
Chapter 23
Emma
Emma’s stomach let out a loud growl as the final bell of the day rang, and the students leapt from their seats like a herd of gazelles. The classroom buzzed with the sound of chatter as they packed up their books and slung backpacks over their shoulders.
“Don’t forget to write down the homework assignment!” Emma called out, raising her voice over the noise. “I’ll see y’all on Monday.”
She watched her students heading toward the door, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the emptying classroom. The once vibrant room was now eerily quiet, except for the occasional rustling of paper or the creak of a chair. Emma fell back in her seat and let out a deep breath, feeling the exhaustion of the day wash over her.
Today was Emma’s birthday, but she had deliberately kept it a secret, even from Luke. She didn’t want to make a fuss, and she certainly didn’t want her students to be distracted by it. Instead, she had thrown herself into her work, trying not to think of past birthdays.
