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After she ordered the pizza, they settled on the couch, deciding to watch a movie. Emma passed the remote to Luke out of habit; it was what she’d always done with Chad.
“You don’t want to pick one?” Luke asked.
“I’m okay with whatever you pick.”
Luke shot her a side-eye. “So, Gladiator is a good choice?”
Emma grabbed the remote from him. “Well, maybe I’ll pick one this time. Don’t worry, I won’t make it too girly.”
Luke threw his arm around her. “It’s okay if you do. I don’t mind chick flicks.”
Emma settled on Crazy, Stupid, Love, since she enjoyed anything with Steve Carell in it; the fact it also starred Ryan Gosling was a cherry on top.
As the movie began, the doorbell rang with their pizza. Luke got up to answer it, making sure Riley didn’t get out and jump all over the delivery guy.
Emma paused the movie to grab plates and napkins, as well as a couple of soda cans. Once they had everything they needed, they dug into their dinner and started the movie. When they finished eating, Emma cuddled up to Luke on the couch and got so comfortable that she lost focus on the movie.
I could definitely get used to this, she mused, as her eyelids got heavy.
She rested her head against his chest, hearing his thudding heartbeat, which drowned out the sound from the movie. Only minutes passed before her consciousness could no longer linger in that place between awake and asleep.
She drifted off, embraced by the man she loved and who loved her.
30
Luke
In the dim room, the TV’s dying light played over Emma’s features, soft shadows dancing across her skin in a silent ballet. Luke could feel the even rhythm of her breathing against his chest; she had been soundly asleep in his arms for the last hour. The final scenes of the movie had played out, and now, as the credits rolled, he knew it was time to go.
Carefully, he reached for the remote and turned off the TV. He slid his arm beneath Emma’s slender frame and with utmost care, he lifted her up and headed toward her bedroom.
When he arrived, he was struck by the beautiful décor: the blue floral bedspread and the serene ocean painting that hung on the wall.
As he laid Emma gently on her bed, Riley jumped up and nestled at her feet. Luke draped a warm blanket over her and as he was about to leave, he heard her sleepy voice.
“Where you going?”
“Heading home so you can get some rest.”
“Will you stay with me?” Emma’s hand reached out, grasping his.
The request hung heavily in the air as thoughts of Jeremiah flashed in his mind.
How would he explain being out this late to his son?
Luke hesitated, the weight of his thoughts evident in the pause that followed. “Of course, I’ll stay,” he whispered. “Just for another hour.”
He took off his shoes, and Emma moved over in the bed so he could lie down next to her. She cuddled up to him as he put his arms around her, falling back asleep only moments later. Luke watched her for a long while, thinking about how lucky he was that he had met her.
The quiet contentment he felt with her in his arms spoke louder than any words ever could.
The next morning, Luke rolled over and saw Emma sleeping peacefully next to him. He panicked.
He had only meant to stay another hour. Not overnight. He had to get home now, before Jeremiah woke.Easing himself out of bed, he snatched his shoes and tiptoed out.
He checked his phone; no messages from Jeremiah—a sign that all was well—but he still didn’t want to have to explain where he’d been all night.
Finding a pen and a pad of paper in the kitchen, he wrote a quick note to Emma telling her he had to go, and that he’d call her tonight. After making sure he wasn’t leaving anything behind, he walked out the front door and headed home.
