CHAPTER FIVE
The Call
Luke had nearly forgotten about the application.
It had been a week.
Seven long days of checking his phone every break, every lunch, and every evening.
Nothing.
By Thursday afternoon, he’d convinced himself they had hired someone else.
Then his phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
Luke answered.
“Hello, this is Luke.”
“Hi, Luke. This is Karen with Cascade Manufacturing. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
His heart skipped a beat.
“Absolutely.”
“We’ve reviewed your application and were very impressed with your experience.”
Luke leaned against his truck, trying to stay calm.
“We’d like to invite you in for an interview next Tuesday morning.”
A smile spread across his face.
“I’d love that.”
“We’re looking forward to meeting you.”
The call ended.
Luke stood there staring at his phone.
He had an interview.
The first person he called wasn’t his mother.
It wasn’t a friend.
It was Emily.
She answered on the second ring.
“Hey, handsome.”
“I got an interview.”
There was a brief pause.
Then a squeal loud enough that Luke had to hold the phone away from his ear.
“You did?”
“I did.”
“I’m so proud of you!”
Luke laughed.
“I haven’t even interviewed yet.”
“I don’t care. You got your foot in the door.”
“I guess I did.”
“When you get home, we’re celebrating.”
“What kind of celebrating?”
“You’ll see.”
That evening, Luke pulled into the driveway to find Emily standing outside with a small paper bag in her hands.
“What’s that?” he asked.
She grinned.
“Your favorite cheeseburgers.”
Luke laughed.
“You know me too well.”
“And…”
She reached behind her back and pulled out two milkshakes.
“I couldn’t forget dessert.”
Luke wrapped her in a hug.
“You really didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to.”
Later that evening, they sat on the front porch watching the sky fade from blue to orange.
Luke looked out toward the quiet street.
“I’ll be nervous.”
Emily smiled.
“You always get nervous.”
“I don’t want to mess this up.”
“You won’t.”
“What if I say something stupid?”
“You probably will.”
Luke looked at her.
“Thanks for the confidence.”
She laughed.
“I’m kidding.”
“I know.”
Emily rested her head on his shoulder.
“The reason they called you…”
Luke listened.
“…is because they already think you’re qualified.”
He nodded slowly.
“I never thought about it that way.”
“So don’t go in there trying to be someone else.”
Luke looked at her.
“Just be the man I already know.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The evening breeze rustled the trees.
Somewhere down the street, children laughed as they chased each other across a front yard.
Luke smiled.
“You always know what to say.”
Emily grinned.
“That’s one of the reasons you keep me around.”
“No.”
He slipped his hand into hers.
“I keep you around because life doesn’t make sense without you in it.”
Emily smiled, her cheeks turning pink.
“You really are cheesy.”
“I’ve been told.”
She leaned over and kissed him.
“Good.”
Luke looked toward the fading sunset.
Next Tuesday could change everything.
For the first time in years…
He couldn’t wait to see what came next.