Chapter 21
Emma
The following Tuesday, when Emma arrived home from work, she ran into her bedroom and rummaged through her closet, trying to find something to wear that she’d look great in. Most of her outfits were modest school clothes, so tonight she wanted to wear something that made her stand out.
Of course, she’d mentally been going through her wardrobe all last week. There was the purple dress, but she’d have to wear a dress sweater with it and it was too warm for a sweater. There was the green skirt and white blouse, but it was a little too casual. She must have gone through fifty combinations in her head, all finding a reason for them to not work out.
Emma browsed through rack after rack, trying to find the perfect outfit. She had almost lost hope when she pushed the last rack over and saw it; a dress that she had bought last summer and had completely forgotten about. It was a light, sea-foam color, with white lace along the bodice and the hem. She pulled it out and tried it on quickly, then went to stand in front of the mirror. It fit like a glove. She paired it with a pair of tan strappy heels and wore her hair down. At that moment, she closed her eyes, remembering how Luke had reached up and pushed one of her curls behind her ear. Her daydream was interrupted as she remembered the last time she’d dressed up like this was the night Chad served her with divorce papers. She exhaled, pushing that thought aside as she stepped out of her bedroom and walked over to Riley’s dog bed.
“How do I look?”
she asked, turning in a circle. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
Riley let out a whine and put his head down.
“Well, thanks for the encouragement, buddy.”
She walked into the kitchen, making sure the food and water bowls were full, then checked the back door and made sure it was locked.
After she was all finished, she let out an excited squeal and left the house on her way to Sea Breeze Tavern & Grill.
She arrived about fifteen minutes early but decided to go in and get a table anyway. It was best that they didn’t come in together. But as she walked through the entryway, she came face to face with Tate, Charlotte, and Jeremiah.
Trying to hide her shock, she smiled at the three of them. “Hey guys! Small world, huh?”
“Hey Ms. Wright!”
Charlotte and Tate said in unison. Jeremiah mumbled a greeting.
“Why are you here?”
Tate asked. “Do you have a hot date?”
Emma laughed nervously. “No, no, I was just coming in here to pick up some food to go.”
Charlotte looked her up and down. “That’s a really pretty dress. You look awfully dressed up just to be picking up some food.”
Emma waved her hand awkwardly, trying to laugh her comment off.
Jeremiah looked up at her, giving Emma a strange look.
Emma smiled at him but made a note to herself. She wondered if he knew she was seeing Luke tonight.
The hostess walked over at that moment to tell the three of them their table was ready.
“Well, bye Ms. Wright. Have fun eating your to-go food by yourself!”
Tate yelled out in a sarcastic tone.
“Oh. Thanks!”
Emma waved at them, breathing a sigh of relief when they turned a corner. That was a close one.
Turning on her heel, Emma immediately walked back outside to the parking lot and dialed Luke’s number, making sure she stayed away from the windows inside the restaurant. The last thing she needed was Tate, Charlotte, and Jeremiah watching her make a suspicious phone call in the parking lot.
“Hey, I’m almost there–”
“Luke? Uh, yeah, we need to go somewhere else.”
Emma started pacing back and forth.
“Why? What do you mean?” he asked.
“Uh, your son is here with his friends. They already saw me all dressed up and started asking questions. The last thing I want is for Jeremiah to find anything out about us, especially since things are starting to get better for y’all.”
“You’re all dressed up?”
Emma laughed. “Yes, but that’s not the point.”
“Sorry. So, what should the plan be? I’m open to any and all suggestions.”
Emma paced back and forth a few more times, thinking of how she wanted to proceed with their relationship. “Okay, I’ve got it.”
“I’m all ears.”
“If we’re going to continue seeing each other, we have to be careful. I had figured the Sea Breeze Tavern was far enough from Main Street that we would be okay. But obviously I was wrong. We’re going to have to meet outside Hadley Cove altogether in the future. That way, we probably won’t ever bump into anyone we know.”
“Hmm.”
Luke seemed reluctant on the other end. “For every time we meet?”
“Well, we could meet at my house sometimes since I live alone and a little out of the way. But if we want to go out and have dinner, then it will have to be a ways out.”
“So, does that mean we won’t be meeting tonight now?”
Luke sounded disappointed.
“No! No, we’re still going to meet,”
Emma told him. “We’ll have to go somewhere else. Have you ever been to the Treehouse Café?”
“Is that a real place?”
“Yes, it’s a real place, and it’s right outside the city limits. The only time people go there is for a wedding anniversary or something, and I don’t think anyone in Hadley Cove is celebrating theirs on a Tuesday night.”
“Okay, let me pull over and put that into my GPS.”
She waited a minute until he got back on the line.
“Emma, this is on the opposite side of Hadley Cove, heading toward Bridwell Bay. Right?”
She winced. “Yes, it is. We’ll have a late dinner. But they’re open until eleven and it won’t take too long to get there. I’ll leave now, so I won’t be too far behind.”
“Okay,”
Luke said. “I’ll see you there.”
***
About forty minutes later, Emma pulled into the parking lot at the Treehouse Café, a fine dining restaurant with an eclectic vibe. She parked the car and hurried over to the main doors. As she stepped inside, she glanced around at the patrons, hoping not to run into anyone they knew.
“Hello, you,”
Luke said, appearing behind Emma. At that moment, all her worries seemed to disappear.
“You did get dressed up,”
he said, stepping back and looking at her dress.
Shrugging her shoulders, her eyes scanned his suit and tie. “You did too.”
“You look beautiful, by the way,”
he added with a playful wink.
“Thank you, kind sir. Likewise. Well, you’re handsome, not beautiful. You know what I mean,”
Emma said, with a flirtatious laugh.
Luke grinned. “Thanks. Now, shall we go and sit down?”
Emma’s eyes darted around the room. “Did you already get a table?”
Luke nodded and gestured toward the seating area. “Right this way, ma’am.”
As they stepped into the grand atrium, Emma admired the stunning view of the high ceilings and tall glass windows. The décor was rustic with thick wood-paneled walls covered in heirloom paintings and hanging lanterns, giving the restaurant a cozy and intimate atmosphere. They sat at a table near the wall, with a spectacular view of the woods beyond, its trees bathed in moonlight. The twinkling stars overhead added to the romantic atmosphere of the restaurant.
Luke’s head swiveled as he surveyed their surroundings. “Now I see why they call it the Treehouse Café.”
“Isn’t it gorgeous?”
Emma asked, her stomach grumbling as she picked up the menu.
After they put in their orders for food and two glasses of wine, Emma began to feel at ease. The restaurant was bustling with customers, but no one recognized them. They could enjoy each other’s company without it getting back to the Hadley Cove gossip mongers.
“Do you think we should’ve ordered an appetizer?”
Luke asked. “I feel like I could eat a whole wheelbarrow of food right now.”
Emma arched an eyebrow and smirked. “Really? I’d like to see that.”
They were admiring a waitress carrying several wine glasses in one hand when their waiter brought out a basket of rolls. Luke picked up the basket and held it out to Emma, who usually avoided filling up on bread before a meal. She hadn’t eaten since lunchtime and couldn’t resist tearing one open and taking a bite. Luke grabbed two of them and followed suit.
As they devoured the bread basket, Luke’s eyes caught sight of the lighthouse through the window.
“Oh, look at that.”
Luke pointed at the glass. “You can see the lighthouse behind the woods from here.”
Emma turned her gaze toward the window. “It’s easy to get to the Bridwell Lighthouse from the beach, but if you’re driving, you have to go around the cove to where we are.”
Luke stared out into the night skyline. “It looks beautiful in the moonlight.”
Emma smiled. “Did you know it’s the tallest lighthouse in the country? It dates back to the American Revolution.”
Luke looked at Emma with wide eyes. “No, I didn’t. You’re full of surprises.”
“I’m just full of random trivia, thanks to my grandpa’s stories,”
Emma said, chuckling. “If you want, we can walk up there after dinner.”
“At this time of night? I don’t know.”
Luke’s face paled as he contemplated the suggestion. “Isn’t that something teenagers would do?”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Probably so. But come on, Luke. Live a little. It’ll be fun.”
Luke took a long swig of his wine. “Well, I do love the spontaneity of your idea, so I guess you’ve talked me into it.”
Emma grinned, raising her wineglass as if proposing a toast. “Here’s to us living in the moment.”
When the plates arrived, they were both instantly captivated by the sight and aroma of their dishes. Without a word, they dug in, savoring every bite. Even in silence, Emma was comfortable in Luke’s presence. She didn’t need to fill the air with small talk to be connected with him. They were content with enjoying the food and each other’s company.
As Emma twirled a forkful of butternut squash ravioli into her mouth, she noticed how each ingredient had been perfectly crafted to create a symphony of flavors and textures on her taste buds. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to be fully immersed in its artistry.
When Emma opened them, she saw that Luke was relishing every bite of the meal as much as she was. With Chad, mealtimes were fraught with tension, his constant policing of her food choices suffocating her spirit. But with Luke, it was different.
Luke’s easy-going nature and genuine interest in her thoughts and opinions were a revelation to Emma. She found herself opening up to him in ways she never could with Chad, feeling a sense of freedom and liberation she hadn’t experienced in years. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, as if they had known each other for a lifetime, and Emma was captivated by Luke’s unwavering attention and understanding.
In Luke, Emma saw a stark contrast to her past, a beacon of hope for her future. He made her feel heard, valued, and cherished, igniting a long-dormant spark within her. She marveled at how someone like him existed, and her heart overflowed with gratitude for this unexpected gift. She felt a sense of serendipity, as if destiny had orchestrated this very moment.
After finishing their meals, Luke reached for the bill, insisting on paying for dinner, while Emma protested for a split check. They finally reached a compromise, agreeing that Emma would pay for the next date as they left the restaurant.
As they stepped out into the warm South Georgia night, the sight of fireflies greeted them. The tiny insects bobbed up and down, illuminating their bodies like miniature spotlights, casting a warm glow all around them.
Emma pointed to a narrow pathway leading through the trees. “Look, over there.”
A wooden sign, bearing a picture of the lighthouse and an arrow pointing forward, stood beside the path.
Luke extended his hand toward Emma, a glint of adventure in his eyes. “Shall we?”
Emma’s heart skipped a beat as she clasped his hand. “Let’s go.”
They followed the winding path through the trees, which dipped and rose with the contours of the woods. The fireflies Emma had spotted earlier seemed to be even more abundant here, flickering their lights on and off in the darkness, creating a magical ambiance. Every now and then, they caught glimpses of the lighthouse through the trees, reassuring them they were on the right track. As they emerged from the trees, the towering structure stood before them, casting its shadow on the water. The gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore added to the enchantment of the moment.
Luke broke the silence with a question. “Do they still have lighthouse keepers?”
Emma shook her head. “No, lighthouses are automated nowadays. This one is still maintained though, but only comes on for certain occasions, so there’s no one inside.”
Luke sighed wistfully. “It’s a shame. I always imagined some quirky old guy living at the top of a lighthouse.”
Emma’s eyes glimmered mischievously. “Well, there’s only one way to find out.”
Luke turned his head, looking down at her. “What do you mean?”
Emma led Luke to a door at the base of the lighthouse. “They never lock it up. Come on.”
She opened the door and pulled him inside, illuminating their path with the flashlight on her phone.
“Isn’t this illegal?”
Luke asked, his flashlight beam darting around the room. “Maybe we shouldn’t be here.”
“It’s going to be fine. We’ll just go up the steps and come back down,”
Emma reassured him. “I want you to see the view up top.”
Sighing, Luke reluctantly took out his phone and turned on the flashlight. “Alright, but only if we’re quick.”
They ascended the spiral staircase, picking up the pace at first but slowing down as they continued.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Emma asked, her breathing labored and body slumped over with hands on her knees.
Luke shook his head and leaned against the wall, massaging a cramp out of his leg. “No, not at all.”
Emma grinned. “Well, it’s not over yet.”
When they reached the top, Emma pushed open the door, and took Luke’s hand, pulling him outside onto the balcony.
“Should we take a picture?”
Luke suggested.
Emma grinned as she adjusted her hair. “My hair isn’t too crazy, is it?”
Luke shook his head and held up his phone. “Not at all. You look perfect.”
Emma giggled as he snapped a few photos of them.
Luke turned his attention to the view below, marveling at the sight. “Wow, is that all of Hadley Cove down there?”
Emma’s gaze swept across the panoramic view, her face beaming as she nodded. “It almost looks magical from this viewpoint, don’t you think? The beach, Main Street with its shops and businesses, and all of those tiny houses dotted here and there.”
He drew closer to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “It really does look magical. A storybook type of town, especially with all the places along the water too.”
She pointed down to the beach, tracing her finger along the coastline. “Do you see how the beach curves? There’s The Point, and then if you go down a little further, there’s my cottage. And past there is where the marsh begins.”
She gestured across the cove to a spot a more inland. “And of course, there’s my old house, or your new one, rather.”
Luke followed her eyes, taking in the distance between the two houses. “I didn’t realize they were so far away. It’s amazing that Riley traveled all that way back to his old house.”
Emma glanced up at him. “That house is special, and Riley knows it.”
A smile lit up Luke’s face. “You’re probably right, but what’s even more special than the house is you, Emma.”
The butterflies in Emma’s stomach started fluttering again, and she felt a warm blush rising up her cheeks. She was grateful for the darkness that concealed the redness on her face.
“Is that right?”
Emma asked.
Luke turned toward her, his hand reaching out to take hers. “Yes, Emma, you’re very special to me.”
Anticipation pulsed through Emma’s heart as she turned toward him. Her eyes met his, and in that moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. She caught her breath as a hot tingle spread across her face.
Then, as if in a dream, his hand came up to cup her cheek. There was a tenderness in his touch that spoke volumes, and as she looked into his eyes, she knew nothing else mattered except for the two of them.
“Emma,”
Luke whispered her name, tilting her face upward, and kissed her softly.
Every inch of her body was electrified with desire, her heart racing and her senses heightened as their lips locked together. She was completely consumed by the intoxicating sensation, unable to think of anything else but him. As Emma wrapped her arms around Luke’s neck, he deepened the kiss, his fingers tangling in her soft auburn curls. It felt as if this night was always meant to happen. This was a moment that would stay with her forever, a memory to be cherished in the days and years to come.
Kisses had never felt like this with Chad, where desire had been absent, and passion had waned. With Luke, she found a depth of connection that she had never known was possible, and it consumed her with an intensity that she couldn’t resist.
“Wow,”
Luke whispered against her lips.
“Yeah,”
Emma replied, still a bit dazed. “What you said.”
They both chuckled as he pulled her in even closer, holding her tight as if he never wanted to let go.
“Should we go back?”
he asked. “I don’t even know what time it is.”
“Yeah, I suppose we should.”
Emma nodded in agreement, and they switched on their phone flashlights to make their way down the lighthouse stairs. A smile remained plastered on her face during the entire descent. When they emerged outside, they walked through the woods back to the parking lot, where the Treehouse Café was about to close and only a few cars remained.
“Thank you for dinner,”
Emma said, her voice soft and warm as she turned to face Luke. The air was crisp and cool around them, the moon casting a gentle glow on the surroundings.
Luke smiled, his eyes meeting hers. “Thank you for the lighthouse tour.”
Emma’s heart skipped a beat as she looked at him, a rush of warmth spreading through her body.
“Anytime,”
she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Luke leaned in and kissed her on the lips. “I’ll see you again soon. Send me a text when you get home, so I know you arrived safely.”
Emma stared into his eyes, slowly letting go of his hand. “I will.”
Emma slid into the driver’s seat, her heart swelling with excitement. The memory of that perfect kiss replayed in her mind, like a scene from a fairy tale. It was the kind of kiss that made her believe in magic, in the possibility of something greater than herself.
With a giddy smile on her face, Emma started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, her fingers tapping along to the rhythm of her racing heart. The radio played a Taylor Swift tune, and she couldn’t resist singing along.
As she drove home, a deep sense of contentment came over her, an emotion that had been absent for far too long.
The world around her seemed to glow with possibility. She marveled at the way her life had taken an unexpected turn, unfolding like the pages of a cherished fairy tale, penned by the invisible hand of fate.
She knew that this was only the beginning of something special, a journey into the unknown with Luke by her side. For the first time in a long time, Emma felt she was exactly where she was meant to be.