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“Well, I’ve got that covered. Lisa will be over at your house at 6:00 to stay with him for the evening.”
As Luke mentioned that Lisa would be over to stay with Riley, Emma felt impressed. She couldn’t help but compare Luke’s thoughtfulness with Chad’s carelessness, who never bothered to think ahead like Luke did.
Emma tried to come up with another excuse to avoid going out, but she realized she couldn’t find one. “Okay, Luke. If Riley is taken care of, then I guess there’s no reason for me to say no. Of course, I’ll go out with you tonight.”
“Awesome! I think you’re going to like it.”
“Can you give me a hint? I just want to be prepared?” Emma asked, feeling a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.
“Nope. It’s going to be a surprise. Don’t worry. It’ll be worth it.”
Emma took a deep breath and decided to trust him. “What time would you like me to be ready?”
“6:30. I’m going to have a driver pick you up at your house,” Luke said, making her raise her eyebrows in surprise.
“A driver? Well, I’d better go and gather my things so I can leave,” Emma replied, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the grandeur of it all.
“Okay Emma. I’ll see you tonight.”
As soon as Emma ended the call, a wave of excitement washed over her. A driver was going to pick her up? Where was Luke taking her? And more importantly, what was she going to wear? Her mind raced with possibilities.
Quickly finishing her wrap, Emma gathered her things and stood up from the table. Glancing at her phone, she realized it was already 4:00. If she didn’t hurry, she wouldn’t have much time to get ready before the driver arrived.
After Emma walked out to the parking lot and over to her car, she got in and drove over to the rescue. Kara had texted her yesterday letting her know they were out of Barking Orders treats, so she decided to make a quick stop to drop off a box. As soon as she arrived, Emma parked her car, opened the trunk, and grabbed the box.
Upon entering the main door, Emma was greeted by Charlotte, who was busy checking off tasks on her to-do list. When Charlotte noticed Emma, she immediately brightened up.
“Emma! I didn’t know you were stopping by.”
Emma walked over and placed the box on the table. “Didn’t your mom tell you I was dropping off some treats?”
“She didn’t, but it’s still great to see you.”
Charlotte opened the box, taking out a few bags. “I’m glad you brought these. We’ve had two people asking for them since I started my shift twenty minutes ago.”
Emma grinned. “I’m so happy they’re popular here. I’ll have to bring more soon, I think.”
While Emma and Charlotte were stocking the shelf, the door suddenly opened and Jeremiah walked in. Emma turned to see him looking at her and Charlotte before heading to the back without uttering a word.
“I should probably head out,” Emma said, handing the remaining bags to Charlotte. “Please say hey to your mama for me!”
As Emma made her way to the door, she noticed Jeremiah emerging from the back and walking toward Charlotte. She closed the door behind her and headed to her car.
Emma’s heart sank as she thought about Jeremiah. She felt a knot forming in her stomach as guilt crept up on her for keeping him in the dark about her relationship with Luke. She knew he wasn’t ready to accept his father dating again, especially after losing his mother just over a year ago.
As much as she wanted to tell Jeremiah, it wasn’t her place to do so. Luke would have to be the one to tell him when the time was right, but that time was not now.
But Emma pushed those thoughts aside, determined not to let them ruin her birthday celebration. Tonight was going to be a night to remember, she thought, feeling a spark of excitement. Nothing, not even the guilt or Chad’s hurtful words, was going to spoil it for her. This night was about her and the man she had fallen deeply in love with, and she was going to enjoy every moment of it.
Chapter 24
Luke
As he gazed into the mirror, Luke couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. Emma had that effect on him. Every time they were together, he felt like the luckiest man alive. And tonight was no exception, they were celebrating her birthday, just the two of them.
He could tell she had her reservations about the idea on the phone. Luke hated that she felt she couldn’t celebrate her own birthday because of her ex-husband. But this evening he was determined to make her feel like the most special woman in the world.
As soon as he finished shaving, he splashed his face with water and strode into the bedroom. Tonight was a special occasion, and he had planned his outfit accordingly—a sharp suit with a matching tie. Time was ticking away, so he dressed in a hurry, bending down to tie his shoes when he heard the front door creak open.
