“I love a steak with lobster. I never get to have it, but if I’m in a restaurant that serves it, I’ll get it every time.”
“Quite the elevated palate, sir,” I tease, knowing if we were in a restaurant that served surf and turf, I’d one hundred percent choose that as my dinner too.
“Ever wish you had siblings?” he asks softly, as if treading on thin ice.
“Not really. I always had Viv. She was as much a sister to me growing up as if I’d had one of my own. So, I guess I never felt the loneliness I imagine being an only child might bring. What about you? Do you like having so many siblings?”
“I love it. They make me crazy, don’t get me wrong, but they’re my family. Family is everything.”
“Have you always wanted to stay here?”
Luke is quiet for an extended moment, contemplative. “I love this town. I love my family. Before my dad died—when he was really sick but still home—we were sitting on the porch together in the rocking chairs, and he told me he was trusting me to take care of this family for him when he was gone because he wouldn’t be there to do it. He needed to know someone would.”
“That feels like a heavy responsibility.” I tilt my head toward him and see the distant look in his eyes as he remembers the moment. He didn’t answer my question, a fact that’s not lost on me.
“Yeah. I wake up every day, hoping I make him proud. I’d like to believe I am, but who knows, really?”
“Well, you’re still here, looking after everyone, right? That’s saying something.”
Luke turns his face toward mine, our noses inches apart.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
My stomach flutters. I need to be careful. Being around Luke feels just a little too good.
Forty-One
ONLY I’M THE WORLD SHE’S WATCHING
Luke
“What’s the plan today?” I ask, walking down the path. The leaves on the trees rustle in the breeze as the gravel crunches under our feet. My hand grazes against the back of Liv’s as we walk side by side.
I can’t stop touching her. She’s like a drug. An addiction I can’t get enough of. I loved every moment of watching the sunrise with her. The way she willingly climbed into my lap, her body rocking against mine while the sun rose behind her like some sort of goddess. The sounds of our combined pleasure the only other noise breaking the quiet of the morning. Every moment with her is better than the last.
“We didn’t make any plans for today. I think Fran will kill me if I don’t finish my book so I can start the one she loaned me. So, I’d like to do that at some point. We have a paint and sip tonight, though.” Liv’s hair is up in a messy knot, blonde strands dancing around her face. She swipes the errant strands away as she talks.
“Oh yeah? Over at the cafe, right?”
“Yup, have you done it?”
“Rachel keeps trying to get Josh and me to sign up. Fran goes, even Reg sometimes. But no, it’s not really my thing. I’m notartistic.” I drape my arm around Liv’s shoulder, tugging her into me. She wraps an arm around my waist.
“Me either. I can’t even draw stick figures, so tonight will be interesting.” She leans her head against me, and it all feels so comfortable. So natural.
Reality slams into me.
She’s leaving in two days.
She’s a guest.
We’re just having fun.
This can’t be more.
I release her shoulder and stop on the path to face her, gripping her delicate fingers between mine to stop her too.
“Trip…”
