Page 25 of Saving Luke

Everyone starts talking and laughing as the kids play card games on the floor, dragging in anyone who will play with them. I watch Gabbie, and she’s on her best behavior. While I have yet to see a smile grace her face, she’s polite and talks to anyone who speaks to her, and she watches everyone, especially the kids.

When we all sit down to eat, food gets passed, conversation flows, and Luke finds little reasons to touch me, and the smile seems to never leave his face. After dinner, while we are cleaning up, I see Gabbie slip out onto the back porch.

"Hey, I'm going to go talk to her," I say to Jill, who practically pushes me out of the door.

"Hey, you okay?" I ask Gabbie as I slip onto the back porch.

She’s leaning up against the railing, looking up at the night sky filled with stars.

"You were right. I do want him to be happy," she says.

I say nothing but go stand beside her.

"I haven't seen him this happy since before Mom and Dad died. He's smiling and fits right in. I enjoyed myself, and if my brother is happy and starts a family, I can see myself slipping into the same role you did. I won't get in your guy’s way again."

"Thank you, Gabbie. He’s pretty happy in there, huh? I’m surprised he and my brother get along so well," I say.

"Yeah?"

"Well, the last guy I dated, my brother, showed up to my house with a shotgun over his shoulder, talking all about hunting and what a great shot he is. How nothing can run from him, and the entire time, I’m staring at the guy. I didn't hear from him after that."

Gabbie laughs. "Well, I can say I haven’t gone that far."

"Just know, when Luke sees you starting to date, it will be the same thing. He’ll be protective and will be both the big brother and the father figure. He’ll take on the role of giving the guys the dad speech. My brother is probably giving it to Luke right now," I say.

We are quiet for a moment longer.

"This doesn't mean we are best friends or anything," she says.

"Nope, but I do hope you know you can talk to me about anything. When Luke gets overbearing, or when you start dating, I'm the perfect one to put him in his place." I tell her, and that earns me a smirk.

"I should probably get going." She says, and we turn to face the house.

Through the glass French door, we can see Luke playing cards with my brother, niece, and nephew.

"Why don't you let me take him back to Oakside? Let him play a bit more."

"Okay," she agrees with a shrug.

Several hands of cards later, everyone is gone, and so are all the Christmas cookies my grandma brought over, and it's just Luke and me.

"I can't believe you won Gabbie over," he says.

"It was only a matter of time," I smirk.

"No one has tried before, not like that." He takes my hand. "Thank you."

Then, he pulls me in for a kiss. It's soft, gentle, and sweet, but it still sends a tingle down between my thighs. When I try to take things further, he pulls back from the kiss and looks me in the eyes.

He gazes at me like he’s searching for something as if he’s looking straight into my soul.

"I love you, Brooke." His words take my breath away.

It hasn't been that long, but what we have between us is so intense and strong. While I don't doubt what I feel, the only thing that has been holding me back is how we can make it work. With Gabbie now on board, I have no doubt that we can go forward and make plans.

"I love you too, Luke."

More sweet kisses turn into more hot kisses that I don't want to stop, but I have, too.

---