Page 56 of Since the Day We Wished

“Good. Because we just arrived for dinner.”

As the car came to a stop, Emma turned to the window and her mouth dropped. They had pulled up to the swankiest-looking restaurant she had ever seen. It was housed in an extravagant manor, with stone steps leading up to a grand entrance flanked by tall white columns on both sides. She couldn’t believe it.

“It’s an old eighteenth-century mansion that’s been converted into a fine dining restaurant. What do you think?” Luke asked, following her out of the car.

“It’s beautiful! Are we really eating here?” Emma turned back to face him.

“Absolutely. We have reservations.” Luke grabbed her hand, leading her up the steps and through the entrance. The foyer was massive, and an elegant chandelier hung above their heads. She paused at the breathtaking sight in front of her.

Emma was glad that Luke was leading the way, as she was too busy admiring her surroundings to pay attention to where they were going. They passed through a series of stunningly decorated rooms with warm earthy tones and bold artwork on the walls until arriving at the back terrace. From there, they had a picturesque view of a charming square filled with towering trees adorned with the iconic Spanish moss.

After they were seated, Luke ordered a bottle of wine for them. Emma leaned back in her chair and scanned their surroundings in awe.

“How did you know about this place?” she asked.

Luke’s warm smile was infectious as he leaned in to speak to Emma. “I have some colleagues who have spent time in Savannah,” he said. “And when I asked them for recommendations on the best restaurant in the city, they all pointed me to this gem.”

“It’s incredible,” Emma remarked.

“And I looked up the menu and saw they have vegan options, so I knew it was the perfect spot for us.”

Emma was grateful for Luke’s thoughtfulness. It was clear he had put in effort to make sure their evening was perfect.

“That was very sweet of you, Luke—to make sure they had some vegan dishes.”

Luke winked at her and opened the menu, revealing the elegant script and mouthwatering descriptions of the restaurant’s offerings. Emma blushed and picked up her own menu, scanning the page with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The surroundings were overwhelming in their opulence, from the fine linen tablecloth to the silver candlesticks casting a warm glow over the table. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before.

As they placed their orders, Emma was delighted to see Luke had chosen the same portabella steak as her, despite her insisting he didn’t have to. It was a small gesture, but it made her heart swell with affection for him. She was still adjusting to the novelty of having someone who was open-minded and considerate, unlike Chad who never dared to venture beyond his comfort zone.

While they waited for their food to arrive, a different waiter appeared carrying a bottle of wine, and he filled their glasses to the brim. Emma took a sip and savored the complex flavors as a gentle warmth radiated throughout her body. In the background, a violinist began to play, a melody weaving through the air and adding to the already enchanting ambiance of the restaurant. It was a moment she knew she would never forget.

Emma savored a sip of her wine before expressing her amazement to Luke. “Tonight still feels unreal to me. The flowers caught me off guard, but everything else is beyond what I could have imagined even in my wildest dreams,” she said, inhaling the pleasant scent of the gardenias nearby.

“So you’re telling me I could’ve stopped at the flowers and called it a day?” Luke quipped, his playful tone filling the air.

Emma burst into laughter. “Yes, you could have.”

“But it’s your birthday, Emma. I had to make it unforgettable.”

“Well, you definitely succeeded. I think all my birthday wishes have come true.”

Luke leaned in and whispered, “And what about your regular wishes?”

“Well, I guess meeting you is one wish that has come true.” Emma looked down as her cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

“That was a wish we both shared,” Luke said, reaching for her hand, interlocking his fingers with hers. “Any other wishes?”

“Hmm. There is one other thing. One day I wish to have an actual brick and mortar store for my dog treat business. But I wouldn’t know the first thing about how to make that happen.”

“Well, that definitely sounds possible.” Luke’s voice was soft and sincere. “You’re capable of so much. I don’t see why owning your own shop isn’t something you couldn’t do.”

Emma found herself filled with a sense of calm as Luke spoke, his words wrapping around her like a warm embrace. She knew he was sincere and that his belief in her abilities was real.

Raising his wineglass, Luke spoke again, “To you, Emma. Happy birthday.”

Emma picked up her wineglass and clinked it with his. “Thank you, Luke. For everything.”

After they took a sip, Luke reached into his jacket pocket. “Well, there is one more thing.” He pulled out a small black box and placed it on the table between them.

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