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Emma
Emma noticed Luke’s easy smile had vanished, replaced by a sudden somber and pensive expression.
As they returned to the heliport, Luke’s sleek silver Range Rover stood alone, its polished exterior reflecting the amber lights from nearby streetlamps.
The driver pulled up next to the Range Rover and hurried to Emma’s side, opening the door for her. She stood, the weight of the night settling into her bones. Hours earlier, the dress had seemed elegant, but now it felt cumbersome, and her feet ached from the unfamiliar strain of high heels.
“Are you alright?” Luke asked.
She looked up at him and chuckled. “Ugh, these heels. I love how tall they make me, but they’re killing me.”
“They look great, but next time, wear whatever’s comfy. I’m just happy being with you.” He crouched, lifting the hem of her dress and removing each of her shoes.
Emma giggled and let out a sigh of relief. “It’s like we’re acting out Cinderella in reverse.”
He grinned, but she saw it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Luke walked over to the passenger-side door and opened it for her. She kissed him on the cheek as she climbed into the seat, placing her high heels on the floorboard.
The drive back to Hadley Cove passed in quiet, the roads now clear from the earlier traffic. It seemed they would reach Emma’s house in no time. But as the silence hung between them, Emma glanced at the clock; time was slipping away, and she still hadn’t found out what was weighing on Luke.
“Tonight was wonderful, Luke,” Emma said.
“It was nothing. You deserved it.”
“I’ll have to make it up to you on your birthday.” Emma turned to study his face, catching the tense set of his jaw and the determined gaze he kept on the winding road. “Luke, what’s wrong? Something’s bothering you.” She took his right hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Luke sighed. “It’s nothing, really. It was just something Adam said at dinner when he stopped by the table.”
Emma thought back to the conversation. “What did he say?”
“He said he hoped things slowed down enough for me to start spending time with my son since that had always a problem in Chicago.”
Emma realized the remark sounded a bit condescending. “Yeah, that was a little off-handed to bring up.”
“But he’s not wrong,” Luke admitted, raking a hand through his hair. “I didn’t spend enough time with Jeremiah or Kate. I really messed up in the family department.”
“You did the best you knew how to do then, Luke.”
A distant look clouded his eyes. “I swore I’d never let my family go through what I went through as a kid. But we saw how that turned out.”
Emma’s heart ached for Luke. She gently laid her hand over Luke’s, feeling the faint tremor in his fingers.
“But you’re here now,” Emma whispered, squeezing his hand. “You’re making up for lost time, and that’s all that matters.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of Luke’s lips. “You’re right. I probably shouldn’t let it get to me like this, but it still does.”
Emma nodded, feeling a deep sense of love and respect for the man sitting beside her. While she didn’t know all the details, it was clear Luke had been through much in his life.
As the miles sped by under the car’s tires, they passed by a sign that read Hadley Cove: 5 miles. The sight brought Emma back to the reality that their night was drawing to a close.
Luke let out a heavy sigh. “Can I be completely honest with you?” His voice caught in his throat.“You can tell me anything, Luke.”
“Well, sometimes I still dream of Kate,” he said. “I think it’s because there’s so much I should’ve done differently. At least with Jeremiah, I still have time to fix things.”
Emma placed a gentle hand on his arm. “You can’t keep blaming yourself.”
“I know.” Luke hung his head. “I just wish there would’ve been more time with her.”
