Margie’s funeral was hard on everyone—including my dad. I think somewhere over the years he formed romantic feelings for Margie but I don’t think the two of them ever crossed that line.

Katie starts school next week and she’s nowhere near as excited as she usually is. But every other word out of her mouth is about Luke. She’s definitely clinging to him, which scares me but I’ve yet to figure out if he’s sticking around.

Outside of our kiss at the hospital nothing more has happened between Luke and me other than the fact that I see him every single day. He’s either eating dinner at our house or inviting us to his.

I was pissed when he first returned home. I spent twelve years believing he never loved me, but as the truth of that horrible night comes to light, I can finally understand why he left. And the truth is, I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing if I were in his shoes. He knew from the day he met me, I had a plan and that plan always consisted of leaving for KU.

The bell over the diner door rings. Seconds later, Luke chuckles sliding into the booth next to me. “Notice anything different?”

“You’re not wearing your sling,” I excitedly answer.

“After two weeks of physical therapy the doctor said I could ditch it and it feels like heaven not having that damn thing on.”

Pam arrives with a milkshake and fries. “I never thought I’d see the day where you two were sitting here like this again.” With a wink, she walks off.

“I second that, but I’ve never been happier to be wrong,” he adds.

Nervously, I turn in the booth and look him in the eyes. “What exactly are we doing, Luke?”

My anger has faded away, but that doesn’t mean I’m not scared at the idea of him leaving again.

“We’re building a relationship together, one that’s going to last this time.”

“But—.”

“No buts Sam. You were my first everything and I plan to make you my last everything.” I chew on my lower lip. He’s doing and saying everything I want but will it last this time? “I have Katie to think about now and –.”

“I love Katie. Hell, I think I fell in love with her almost on sight. I’m not sure what super powers you ladies hold, but whatever they are, they work like magic on me.”

I roll my eyes and lightly smack him on the shoulder.

“Hey now…I’m being serious,” he says, chuckling.

“So am I. What if…what if it doesn’t work out? Katie just lost Margie I don’t think she’ll bounce back from losing you too.”

“What do you think is going to happen? That I’m just going to up and leave town?”

His eyes narrow as I mumble, “Yessssssss?”

Instead of acting mad, he nods before brushing his thumb across my cheek. “I get it. My past behavior caused us years of suffering but Sam…” Luke trails off before inhaling a deep breath. “If I had the power to go back and do things differently, I think I’d still walk away from you.”

My eyes widen but he ignores my expression and keeps talking. “I wish I’d gone home instead of going to that party and getting drunk. I wish I never called Casey, but I know in my heart I still would have done everything in my power to ensure you went to KU. What kind of life do you think we’d have if I let you give up your dreams for me?”

A tear falls down my cheek but he quickly wipes it away.

“The army whipped my ass into shape; not just physically, but it gave me a real purpose in life. Before then I didn’t have a goal in mind. I liked partying, drinking and hanging out with you. If I had continued down that path, I would’ve brought you down with me and I don’t think I could’ve forgiven myself if I did.”

My mind attempts to grasp at an idea where we would have stayed together but deep down, I know he’s right. I never would have agreed to leave him behind and if I stayed, eventually, my resentment would have taken root and possibility destroyed the life I was all too desperate to keep in the first place.

“Sometimes in life, things happen for a reason, and you don’t discover that reason for years to come.”

I freeze. “She told me the same thing.” Another tear leaks down my cheek but for a different reason. Unbeknown to me, Margie was doing everything she could to keep our connection alive.

“When I woke up in a hospital after I was shot, I never felt more alone in my life. I wanted to die. I actually wished for it, but after a few days I picked up the phone and called Mom.” He gives me a grim smile. “Mom repeated the same thing to me then, and I rolled my eyes. I didn’t want to come home and that was before I knew you lived in Jasper, but I had to. I had to come and see her because she never gave up on me.” His voice softens. “I knew she had some health problems but she played down what she’d gone through and I felt like a real dick when I saw how bad she was. But that first day I saw you, I was hit with twelve years of built up love, love I never once considered giving to anyone else.” He brings his other hand up and cups my face. “You’re it for me and I hope like hell that you give me a second chance to prove to you I’m the only person for you.”

I can’t stop the smile that forms on my face. “You’ve always owned my heart and always will.”

Luke smirks before placing his lips on mine. Our mouths are moving fast, almost greedy as years of tension officially melt.

“Excuse me?” Pam mumbles next to our table. “I know you two love birds are making up for lost time but I think it’s time to shut the show down. Mr. Walker almost fell off his bar stool trying to get a better look at the two of you.”

My face reddens while Luke full out laughs. “Sorry,” I grumble.

“Don’t be sorry sweetheart, just save the show for closed doors is all.” Pam turns on her heels and walks off at the same time Luke drops a twenty on the table. “Yes, let's head home and have a private show.” I shriek as he pulls me out of the booth and drags me to the door.

“Someone is in a hurry.”

“Hell yes, I am. We have lost time to make up and I plan on doing a lot of making up.”

With the sun brightly shining through the windows, Luke kisses his way down my back. Goose bumps breakout over my skin when his hand slides between my legs.

When we left the diner, we drove straight to Margie’s house where Luke all but dragged me to his room. After ripping each other’s clothes off, Luke began to make up for years of lost time. Our first time alternated between desperate and rushed. We both did our best to make it last but the finish line was closer than either of us were ready for.

Thirty minutes later, we’re both lying naked as the day we were born in his bed. “I don’t think I can get enough of you.”

My hips rock back and forth, looking for relief while his talented fingers slide over my silky core. “Fuck, I definitely need you again.” Rubbing his finger over my hardening clit, he straddles my hips, lines himself up, then shamelessly drives into me. “You feel so fucking perfect. You are so fucking perfect. Perfectly mine.”

I arch my back with every thrust until Luke grabs my arms and pulls my back up to his chest. With his hands wrapped around my neck, he turns my face to the side while his mouth consumes mine. My brain completely shuts down while every nerve in my body is on fire. My release builds and builds until I’m screaming his name. Swallowing my moans, his thrusts increase until nothing else exists except this moment.

He gathers my long hair, keeping my head exactly where he wants. Tremors rock through me while he growls my name and comes deep inside me.

Our heavy breathing is the only sound in the room as we collapse on the bed.

With his hand stroking up and down my back, he cups the side of my face. With our gaze locked, he places a soft, sweet kiss on my lips. “I love you. I’ve always loved you and I always will.”

“I believe even during the darkest moments, I’ve always known you were the person I was meant to be with. I think that’s the reason I never completely gave up on you even when I was convinced I hated you; I knew that was lie.”

I run my hands through his wavy blond hair with a smile that doesn’t want to fade away.

We have a lot to figure out but I’ve surrendered myself to the idea that this man is my past and my future.