Chapter 27
Emma
As they returned to the heliport, Luke’s car stood alone, its glossy exterior reflecting the dimly lit surroundings. The empty lot was a stark contrast to the bustle of the city they had left behind.
Emma noticed the sudden shift in Luke’s demeanor. The earlier light-hearted banter and laughter had disappeared, replaced by a somber and pensive expression.
Emma wondered what had caused this sudden change. Was it Adam who had reminded him of the pain and heartache he had left behind in Chicago? Or perhaps it was Kate, the woman he had loved and lost?
The driver pulled up next to the Range Rover and hurried to Emma’s side, opening the door for her. She stood up, the weight of the night settling into her bones. The dress that had seemed so elegant hours before now felt cumbersome, and her feet ached from the unfamiliar strain of high heels.
Luke rushed to Emma’s side, noticing her discomfort. “Are you alright?”
She looked up at him and chuckled. “It’s these heels. I love how tall they make me, but they’re killing me.”
“Well, they do look amazing on you, but just so you know, you never have to wear them for me. I’d rather you be comfortable.”
He crouched down in front of her, lifting the hem of her dress and taking off each shoe.
Emma giggled and let out a sigh of relief. “It’s like we’re acting out Cinderella in reverse.”
Luke grinned, but she saw it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He 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 was quiet, the roads clear of the earlier traffic. It seemed they would reach Emma’s house in no time. But as the silence lingered between them, Emma glanced at the clock, realizing that time was slipping away before she could find out what was weighing on Luke’s mind.
“Tonight was wonderful, Luke,”
Emma said. “Thank you for being so amazing.”
“It was nothing. You deserved it.”
“I’ll have to make it up to you on your birthday.”
She turned to look at him as he gave a single nod, keeping his eyes on the road. “Luke, what’s wrong? Something’s bothering you.” She reached out and 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 was always a problem in Chicago.”
Emma realized the remark sounded a bit condescending. “Yeah, that is a little off-handed to bring up.”
“But it’s true,”
Luke said. “I didn’t spend enough time with Jeremiah or Kate. I really messed up in the family department.”
“You did the best that you could, Luke. You were working to support a family.”
Luke’s voice was heavy with emotion as he spoke. “I swore that I would never let my family go through what I went through as a kid. And I thought that meant working all the time, even if it meant sacrificing time with them.”
Emma’s heart ached for Luke as she listened. She knew how much family meant to him, and it was clear that his past had shaped him in ways she had never realized before.
“But you’re here now,”
Emma said softly, 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 can’t fix the past. I probably shouldn’t let it get to me like this, but sometimes 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 so much in his life.
They passed by a sign that said “HADLEY COVE: 5 MILES.”
Emma knew they’d be at her house in less than ten minutes, but she didn’t want him to stop.
Luke let out a heavy sigh. “Can I be completely honest with you?”
His voice caught in his throat as he spoke.
“You can tell me anything, Luke,”
Emma reassured him.
His voice trembled as he shared. “Sometimes I still dream of Kate,”
he confided. “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 reached over and placed a gentle hand on his arm. “You can’t keep blaming yourself. You were doing the best you could.”
Luke hung his head in regret as he spoke. “I know,”
he acknowledged. “I wish there would’ve been more time. I should’ve taken her on that trip to Italy she always wanted to go on. I should’ve been home for dinner more often. I should’ve told her how much I loved her every day.”
Emma’s grip tightened on his arm. “I’m sure she knew how much you loved her, Luke. And I’m sure she cherished every moment she had with you.”
“I hope so, Emma. I really do,”
Luke said, wiping a tear from his eye. “I’m sorry for bringing this up. I know it must be strange for you to hear about my late wife, but I think you understand me in a way that no one else does. I hope that’s okay.”
She smiled, reaching down and giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “It’s okay, Luke. Talking about Kate and your past is a part of who you are, and I want to know all about it. I want to know the real you.”
“Thank you, Emma. You don’t know how much that means to me. It’s been so long since I’ve had someone to talk to like this.”
“I’m here for you, Luke. Always.”
With empathetic eyes, Emma leaned in closer to him.
Luke smiled; his tone reflective as he spoke. “You know what’s strange? She had always wanted to live on the Georgia coast. It’s a big reason why Jeremiah and I moved down here. Then I happened to move into your old house and Riley showed up and now we’re here. Life never turns out the way we think it will. But I’m glad life brought me to you.”
A tear slid down Emma’s cheek. “Me too, Luke.”
He continued, the words tumbling out, raw and honest. “Emma, I need to tell you something, and it may sound weird. I’ve been wanting to tell you this the whole night. I love you. It’s crazy saying that out loud, since we just met. But it’s the truth. On paper, the timeline doesn’t make sense, but everything else about us does.”
“It’s not weird, Luke. I feel exactly the same way. I love you too.”
As Luke’s car headed down the road leading to her cottage, Emma turned to him with a heart overflowing with gratitude. She felt an intense affection for him after he had opened up to her with such vulnerability and honesty. She had never experienced this level of emotional intimacy with Chad, no matter how much she had encouraged him to share his deepest thoughts.
With Luke, Emma felt a genuine connection, and she knew without a doubt that she had fallen for him. The uncharted territory ahead was all at once scary and thrilling. As she sat there beside him, Emma realized that this was what love truly felt like. It was a love that made her feel alive again, to take risks and chase dreams, and without a doubt, was worth fighting for.
As they pulled into Emma’s driveway, a familiar sound caught her ear. She glanced over at the radio and turned the volume knob up slightly. To her amazement, it was the same song they had danced to at The Point. Emma’s voice rose in excitement. “Luke, it’s our song!”
Luke nodded with a grin and let out a soft chuckle. “I guess it is, isn’t it?”