CHAPTER SIX
The Concert
Luke woke up before the alarm.
He wasn’t nervous because he doubted himself.
He was nervous because this job could change everything.
Emily was already awake, propped up against the headboard with a cup of coffee.
“You’ve been staring at the ceiling for ten minutes,” she said with a smile.
“I know.”
“You’ll do great.”
“I hope so.”
She set her coffee down and reached for his hand.
“No.”
Luke looked at her.
“You will do great.”
By eight o’clock, Luke pulled into the parking lot at Cascade Manufacturing.
He sat in the truck for a moment, took a deep breath, and straightened his tie.
“You’ve got this,” he whispered to himself.
The interview lasted nearly an hour.
They talked about leadership, problem-solving, safety, and teamwork.
They laughed more than Luke expected.
By the time he walked back to his truck, he felt lighter.
Whatever happened…
He’d given it everything he had.
Emily was waiting impatiently when Luke walked through the front door.
“Well?”
Luke set his keys on the counter.
“I think it went really well.”
“You think?”
“I honestly do.”
She wrapped her arms around him.
“I knew it.”
“They said they’ll call by the end of the week.”
Emily smiled.
“Then there’s only one thing left to do.”
Luke laughed.
“Celebrate before we even know?”
“Exactly.”
That evening they drove to an outdoor country concert at the local fairgrounds.
The summer air was warm, and music echoed across the field as families spread out lawn chairs and blankets.
Luke bought two lemonades while Emily wandered over to a food truck.
When she came back, she was carrying a giant basket of curly fries.
Luke stared at it.
“I thought we were sharing.”
“We are.”
“You ordered enough for six people.”
“I was hungry.”
Luke stole one before they even sat down.
Emily narrowed her eyes.
“You couldn’t wait five seconds?”
“Nope.”
She laughed.
“You have zero self-control.”
“Correct.”
As the music started, Luke slipped his arm around Emily.
She rested her head against his shoulder.
“This is nice,” she whispered.
“It is.”
“No bills.”
“No stress.”
“No phones.”
“Just music.”
“And you.”
Emily smiled.
“I like this version of life.”
“So do I.”
During the last song, couples all around them began dancing.
Luke looked at Emily.
“Wanna dance?”
She looked around.
“Right here?”
“Why not?”
“There are hundreds of people.”
Luke held out his hand.
“I only see one.”
Emily smiled and took it.
They swayed together beneath strings of lights while the band played a slow country love song.
Neither of them cared that they weren’t very good dancers.
They laughed when Luke stepped on her foot.
Twice.
“You owe me new boots,” Emily teased.
“I’ll add it to the budget.”
She laughed so hard she nearly lost her balance.
Luke caught her before she stumbled.
“I guess these dance lessons are paying off.”
“We’ve never had dance lessons.”
“It shows.”
They both burst into laughter.
As the final note faded, fireworks from the fairgrounds lit up the night sky.
Luke looked over at Emily.
“If I get this job…”
She squeezed his hand.
“When you get this job.”
“…I’m taking you somewhere special.”
Emily smiled.
“I don’t care where we go.”
“As long as we’re together?”
She nodded.
“As long as we’re together.”
Luke kissed her forehead.
For the first time in years, he wasn’t just hoping for a better future.
He could almost see it.