Page 87 of Revived

“Hmmm,” I say, rubbing my finger along my chin. “That seems a bit more plausible.”

And then he moves closer, eliminating the distance between us as Grayson peers up at us both, his eyes so alive with hope and love.

“Rachel!” He shouts as the bustle of the coffee shop around us fades away while Luke’s dark eyes stare down into mine, holding me captive and speechless for a moment.

“Yes, Grayson?”

“Did you know that my Daddy is really sorry about your fight and he wants to kiss you to make up?”

Luke and I both chuckle while continuing to look at each other before I drop my eyes to Grayson. “Is that right?”

“Yup. Because that’s what grown-ups do when they fight. They kiss and make up.”

“Seems legit. You should probably listen to the five-year-old.” Luke winks at me and then reaches for my hand. I faintly hear Catherine call Grayson over to her while Luke’s hands move up to frame my face.

“I miss you,” he whispers, bending down to kiss my cheek. The flurry of electricity that courses through my body at just that simple touch makes my pulse race.

“It’s your fault I left.”

He sighs, closing his eyes before leaning his forehead down on mine. “I know. You’re right. And there’s so much I want and need to say to you, Rachel. Can you please give me that chance? Hear what I have to say and then decide whether to leave?”

“How did you know I was leaving?”

“How do you think I knew you were here?” He says, flicking his head in the direction where his mother is standing as she flashes me a wink. “I drove over here as soon as my mother texted me. Luckily, I was already in the car and right down the street.”

“Yeah, makes sense.” I huff.

“So what do you say?” He asks, leaning back to stare into my eyes again.

I simply bob my head up and down and then look back at Grayson. “Okay.”

“You have to kiss her, Daddy!” Grayson shouts as the entire coffee house bursts into laughter.

Luke’s brow raises as he questions me. “May I?”

“Yes, please.”

And then Luke’s lips are on mine again in a meaningful kiss that speaks of healing and promises. He keeps it PG in front of the customers and his son, leaving his mouth closed, but still breathing me in, pulling me into his chest, and wrapping his arms around me as if he’s afraid I might disappear into thin air.

When we part, his arms trap me to his chest as he breathes me in. “I’m so sorry…”

“We still need to talk… but I know.” My fingers trail his face, running through the scruff on his jaw as I study his eyes and note the sincerity there. He’s obviously done some thinking over the past few weeks, and I’m dying to hear his epiphany.

Suddenly, he grabs my hand and pulls me outside where his mom and Grayson are waiting for us.

“Does this mean you’re not going to New York anymore?” My Uber driver runs out the door where I’m standing on the sidewalk with my group.

“No. I guess not.” I smile wide for the first time in weeks, the thought of my future coming to fruition almost too exhilarating to fathom.

“Well, good luck, then. Nice to meet you.” Saluting me with her cup, she turns towards her car, but then I remember my suitcase in her trunk. So I run after her, catching her just in time to gather my things before Luke ushers me to his car instead.

“Take a seat,” Luke directs me to the couch in his living room once we arrive back at his house. His mom kept Grayson for the rest of the afternoon so we could talk without distractions. Stepping back into these walls brings a rush of feelings forward—calm mixed with nerves, belonging mixed with estrangement—my gut never settling on what I should be feeling as I return to the one place that truly felt like home.

“What are you doing home on a Friday?”

Luke grabs two water bottles from the fridge and then sits down next to me on the couch, handing me one. I screw off the lid and take a small sip, my mind flooded with so many vivid memories we made in these same two spots. “I don’t have class on Fridays during the summer.”

“Oh.”

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