Page 11 of Forever In Willow Creek

“I didn’t come here looking for any of this,” she whispered.

“I know.”

“I was so sure I didn’t need anyone.”

“I know that too.”

Luke’s hand slid up to the back of her neck, thumb brushing her jaw.

“But I do,” she said quietly. “I needthis. You.”

His eyes searched hers, like he was making sure it was real—like he wanted to memorize the moment before it disappeared.

Then he kissed her.

It wasn’t rushed or hesitant. It was a kiss that spoke of every quiet conversation, every look that had lingered too long, every unspoken truth. His mouth was warm and patient, coaxing rather than claiming. And when Zoe kissed him back, it was with everything she hadn’t known she was holding.

The music continued around them, but they didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just held each other in the soft, golden light, the town fading away behind the pounding of their hearts.

When they finally pulled apart, Luke rested his forehead against hers.

“You’re not going anywhere, are you?” he asked.

Zoe shook her head, breath catching. “Not tonight.”

Chapter 10: The Struggle

Zoe woke to the sound of her phone vibrating against the nightstand.

She almost didn’t reach for it.

Luke’s arm was draped over her waist, warm and grounding. The covers were tangled around them, and the sun hadn’t even begun to rise. Everything about the moment whispered,stay still.Stay here.

But habit—old, relentless habit—won out.

She slipped free from Luke’s embrace and grabbed the phone, padding quietly into the kitchen. She thumbed the screen and squinted at the name.

Kristen – VP Strategy.

Of course.

Zoe hesitated, thumb hovering over the “ignore” button. But her curiosity got the better of her.

“Zoe,” Kristen said without preamble. “You’re not going to believe this—we just got the offer. The one from Hamilton Consulting. They want to bring you on as Senior Partner. Full benefits, leadership track, everything we’ve been building toward. You’d be overseeing global accounts.”

Zoe’s stomach twisted.

“What’s the timeline?” she asked, already hating herself for the question.

“They want an answer by Friday,” Kristen said. “It’s aggressive, I know, but it’s the real deal. This is your next move. I don’t want to pressure you, but… well, I am pressuring you. You’ve earned this.”

Zoe barely registered her own reply. She ended the call with vague promises to think about it, then set the phone down on the kitchen counter and just… stood there.

Willow Creek still slept around her. But her heart was racing. The air felt too still, the room too small.

A few minutes later, Luke appeared in the doorway, shirtless, hair mussed, sleep still soft in his eyes. “Everything okay?”

Zoe turned toward him, but the words lodged in her throat.

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