Page 49 of Since the Day We Wished

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.

Chapter 22

Luke

As the sun rose, painting the sky with a palette of warm hues, Luke’s heart stirred with emotions he hadn’t experienced since Kate’s tragic passing. For months, he had struggled to find his footing in a world without her, unsure of when, or if, he would ever find happiness again. But now, Emma had entered his life and had rekindled his hope for new beginnings. In her, Luke had found the courage to open his heart once again to a love that could lead him to a future brimming with joy and endless possibilities.

Although Luke was exhilarated by Emma’s presence in his life, there lingered a twinge of trepidation deep within him whenever he contemplated moving on from Kate. The thought of starting anew with someone else seemed daunting, as though he were betraying the memory of his late wife. Her passing had left a deep scar on his heart, one that he wasn’t sure would ever fully heal. And yet, being with Emma had lifted a weight off his shoulders that he didn’t even realize he was carrying. With her, he could breathe again, laugh again, and feel a sense of hope that had died along with Kate. But he was afraid of the judgment and the whispers that would come with moving on—and that the world, and especially Jeremiah, wouldn’t understand.

Luke knew that he had a long road ahead to help his son come to terms with his mother’s passing. Jeremiah’s struggle was evident, and Luke knew the idea of him with someone new would only make it worse. Despite that, Luke could not deny the connection he had with Emma.

Although they had to keep their relationship a secret for now, Luke was willing to do whatever it took to protect his son from any unnecessary pain. He longed for the day when he could share the joy Emma had brought into his life and show Jeremiah that it was possible to find happiness again, even in the face of tragedy.

In their clandestine relationship, Luke and Emma savored every stolen moment. They took turns planning each outing, carefully avoiding any public places where they might be spotted. Emma had suggested they drive to the neighboring town and catch a movie at the colossal fifteen-screen cinema. For their next date, Luke arranged a dinner cruise, sailing the Savannah River. The sunset views and coastal air breezing against their skin aboard theGeorgia Queenleft them in awe. Each rendezvous was a mini adventure, and Luke couldn’t remember the last time he had enjoyed himself this much.

Together, Luke and Emma found joy in the simple moments, and it didn’t always involve extravagant outings. They cherished the times when they would just unwind and enjoy each other’s company, whether it was cooking dinner together at Emma’s cozy home or baking dog treats to fulfill orders. Thankfully, Emma’s cottage was tucked away from prying eyes, making it challenging for anyone to spot Luke’s Range Rover parked there.

---