It’s instantaneous, and my heart reacts straightaway. Squeeze. Tug. All that remains to do is release. But nothing is ever that simple. Releasing the heart leaves a person vulnerable.
Luke is more handsome than I ever could have pictured him from the past. The man standing in Della’s open doorway is overwhelmingly hot. Blue fire kind of hot. Invisible in the light, and too dangerous to cross even in protective gear. Something I should remember later when I begin to weaken and fall for Luke Bennett all over again.
Although, I’m not so sure anymore if I ever got over him in the first place.
He did not run off with Della to start a new life, as Brady explained it. He was not Della’s fiancé, as I learned hours ago. What Luke is, though, is a danger to my ovaries.
Look away. Look. Away.
I can’t. He’s whispered my name like a prayer. Our eyes are locked with steel.
Luke’s always been tall, but he was made up of lean muscle as a teen. Now, however—I just want to point out this shouldn’t be legal, because I’m positive it’s not good for my health—he’s tall and broad and stretching his well-made cotton shirt to the limits with the amount of muscle he’s packing.
He’s a giant. A big, sexy, bewitching giant.
And his hair? I…It’s…Don’t even get me started on his hair. The long, straggly strands I used to hate? They’re gone. He cut it. Luke’s hair is short. I’m going to leave it at that for fear of compromising myself any further than I already have.
There’s a new awareness of tugging on my person, but this time it’s my hand.
“Mommy,” Brielle says in a tiny voice to my left.
Hearing her call my name snaps me out of the spell I had been under.
Luke drops his gaze, noticing everyone standing in the foyer, and meeting Brielle’s eyes for the first time.
“They were just on their way out,” Della speaks from behind me. “You almost missed them.”
He steps inside the house, shutting the door, and the heat grows hotter as he comes another foot closer.
“I came as quick as I could. I shut my phone off while I was out on the boat.”
“Ethan, tell Brielle and Ms. Liv good night,” Paul says to his son.
I look over at him. He smiles fondly, and says goodnight, giving us privacy.
“They’re only here until tomorrow.” Della’s voice sounds more like a warning for Luke. I can’t put a finger on why, but something about the way she said that irritates me.
“Glad I got here in time then,” he grins.
Christ Almighty. If he keeps up with that crap I won’t be able to look at him at all.
“So you’re Brielle, huh?” He turns his warm expression to her, bending at the knees in front of us. “That’s a beautiful name. I’m Luke.”
My daughter turns her small frame into my leg, wrapping an arm around it, but keeping eye contact with him.
“I know who you are.”
“I’ve wanted to meet you for a very long time.”
“You have?” she asks in wonder.
“Of course. Your mommy and I used to be great friends.” He sends those chocolatey eyes back up my way, and I melt.
“And because you’re my uncle.”
“I am,” he says firmly.
“I like your hair short much better than long,” Brielle replies flippantly.
She’s definitely my daughter.
I snort, a weird mix of trying to hold back my laughter and failing as it slips through my nose and mouth.
“She just saw a picture of you from before. When you had the long hair,” I explain.
“Ah,” he smiles, standing up.
“Can I have a new photo of you?” Brielle asks.
“Wow. I looked that bad, huh?”
She giggles. “No. I’m taking pictures of everybody. I have one with my grandpa, and Ethan.”
“All right. Where do you want to take it?”
“The flowers are pretty.” She points at the table in the center of the foyer.
“That’s our spot then.”
As I’ve done all day long, I pull my phone out. Luke kneels back to her level. They pose together, his palm wrapped around her back, and I snap the picture. His smile pulls out soft dimples in his cheeks. The bright colors of his fishing shirt contrast the dark tan of his skin.
Della lingers behind me, remaining quiet but her presence is very large.
“Do we have to go right now, Mommy? Can we stay a little longer?”
“Uh,” I stammer. “Bri, it’s getting late and we’ve had a very long day. We’ll see everybody again soon.”
“What time are you leaving tomorrow?” he asks me.
“Checkout is at ten.”
“Let’s meet for breakfast. Wherever you want to go.”
Brielle’s face lights up.
I inwardly groan.
“Sure.”
“We always do Sunday breakfast here,” Della comments.
“Where are you staying?” Luke asks, speaking over Della.
“Holiday Inn in Port Charlotte.”
“There’s an IHOP down the road. I’ll meet you there.”
“Or we can all eat together here,” Della says, sounding on edge.
“We can do the group thing some other time,” he replies to her, standing his ground and making it clear he doesn’t want an audience tomorrow morning. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Oh. Okay.”
What else could I say? No, Luke, please stay here where it’s safer for me because I’ll be walking away.
“Paul makes a killer Sunday breakfast if you change you mind,” Della says to me with a forced smile.
It’s easy to see she’s not happy with Luke singling us out. Or she’s being nosy and wants every detail Luke and I will share at our reunion. It’s likely both.
“Thanks, Della.”
We walk to the door and she follows. I’m expecting her to join us on the walk to my car, but I glance over my shoulder when I hear their whispering. As Brielle and I descend the front steps, Luke hangs back with one hand on the door knob blocking her exit. He’s speaking to her in a quiet tone I can’t hear, and then all but pushes her back inside the house, shutting the door firmly closed.
I glance away when he lifts his head up.
I’m a mess. My nerves have been shot since waking up this morning. But it all slowly fell back into place. Della welcomed us with kindness, my dad’s behavior was a major surprise, and tonight’s dinner had been a lot of fun. And I met a couple new people. I resigned the notion of having to face Luke and Brady. Though, both men brought up complete opposite feelings inside me.
We would have been leaving here tomorrow with a pleasant denouement.
Only now emotions were stirring wild. The initial reaction I had to Luke scared the crap out of me. I was ready to run again. But this time around he seemed determined to follow right on my heels.
My car is parked at the base of the stairs. The dark, lifted truck parked behind mine must belong to Luke. It’s a very nice truck, and I smile a little to myself. He’s come along way from the poor kid who had to share a vehicle with his party-boy older brother.
The sun had gone down hours ago. Although it is earlier than my typical bed time, this day has emotionally exhausted me and wouldn’t doubt if I passed out the moment my head hit the pillow.
There is much Luke and I could discuss, yet I feel like we shouldn’t at the same time. Maybe it’s best if all is left in the past. I know the truth, I’m sure he does too if Della told him anything important in those messages. And what he doesn’t know she can fill in. He’s Brielle’s uncle and they’ll see each other again next time we visit.
Problem solved.
I groan.
Luke’s not going to let me have it that easy.
“So I’ll meet you girls at IHOP in morning,” Luke says when he reaches us.
We stand beside the back door of my car. I’m doing everything in my power to not look into his intense gaze again.
“Yep.”
“Cool.” Brielle bounces from heel to toe.
He opens the back seat door for her, and she climbs inside.
“Have a good night, Brielle.”
“Can I call you Uncle Luke? Paul told me I could call him Uncle, but he’s not actually my uncle like you are.”
“You call me whatever you want to call me,” he smiles down at her as she buckles in.
“That was very sweet of Paul, honey. He’s letting you know you can think of him as family, too.”
“Oh. Well, cool. I have so much family now.” She brightens instantly. “The kids at school won’t be able to say anything about me not having any.” Luke’s face hardens as he shoots me with a curious look. “See you tomorrow, Uncle Luke.”
“‘Night, sweetie.” Luke shuts her door softly.
Turning away, I reach for my door saying, “We’ll see you there after checkout.”
“Wait. Liv.” His hand clamps down on the top of the door frame and roof, blocking me from opening it. Luke lowers his voice. “What did she mean by that?”
He was behind me, and when he reached that arm out to stop my door from opening, it trapped me between his large, imposing body and my car. In a very tight space. Pressed very closely together. Luke smells like the outdoors, the water. The salty breeze that whips through the air and roughens the waves. It’s refreshing and comforting and makes me feel like I’m standing under the sun.
“She has a school project highlighting our lack of family. And kids are assholes.”
“So why are you really here?”
“To show her she’s not alone.” I shrug. “It was a gamble. I didn’t know everyone would be as welcoming as they were today.”
“We never believed Brady.”
“Maybe you didn’t. But the rest of the town…” I shake my head.
“Did something happen?”
“No. Just a lot of strange looks. Della told me why that is. I really want to hurt your brother, by the way. More than I already did.”
“Yeah. Get in line.” He grinned, and trapped me in with his smile along with his body.
Returning the gesture, I caught myself smiling back.
Luke’s eyes dipped to my mouth.
This was dangerous. We can’t be this close. Even after all this time, there was unfinished lust stirring between us.
I cleared my throat.
He blinked rapidly, dropping his arm, and stepping away.
“I’ll see tomorrow,” he said.
Then I ran. Spiritually, at least. I put a safe barricade between us with my car. I then put distance by driving away and heading back to the hotel. Not that it would last. I had only tonight. Somehow, I couldn’t find relief even when we would be returning home tomorrow. My running days were over. Luke wouldn’t be left behind as easy as I did it the first time.
~~~
He was casually waiting for us when we walked inside IHOP. Luke sat in a booth just behind and over the hostess’ shoulder. Impossible to miss.
Seriously, though. He was not this big of guy six years ago.
Army did him good.
He stands as we approach.
“Good morning, ladies.” His deep voice crawls over my skin.
“Morning, Uncle Luke.”
Luke smiles at her greeting. Pleased with her easy comfortability with him.
I let Brielle slide to the inside of the booth, then I take the edge and sit directly across from him.
A server pops up at the table within seconds.
“Good morning. I’m Cassie, what can I get y’all to drink?” The tall, skinny brunette beams from above.
“Coffee for me, and orange juice for her,” I reply.
“Coffee,” Luke returns.
“Alright. I’ll be right back with your coffee.” She keeps smiling with overkill at Luke.
I’m not even sure if she heard me give our drink order. Brielle may not be getting juice by the way the waitress singled him out.
“So, Brielle,” Luke starts. “Ethan couldn’t stop talking about you after you left last night. Sounds like you make friends quickly.”
“He’s fun. And has a lot of toys.”
“Probably a little too much, but Paul’s a big kid anyway.”
“Paul is great,” I comment. “They told me they met through you.”
“Yeah, Paul and I met at basic camp.” His eyes dim, then he’s blinking away whatever thought crossed his mind. “Then we got stationed at the same base in Georgia. He came home with me on our first leave, and the rest is history.”
“It’s strange,” I murmur. Finding the same comfort Brielle must be feeling around Luke, I open up easily to him. “I spent six years thinking you two were still together.”
Brielle sits quietly beside me coloring on the kids menu.
“Still together? What do you mean?”
I don’t want to speak his name aloud and ruin her good morning. I tip my head Brielle’s way while watching Luke’s face.
“Oh,” he mouths, nodding.
“He built a good web of lies. Before he took off he told me Della moved to wherever you were stationed, and y’all were going to get married.”
Surprise and disbelief stretches across every angle and line in Luke’s face. His jaw ticks below his left ear, holding back his fury for Brielle’s sake.
The waitress returns, surprising me with our drinks as well as Luke’s order of coffee. She heard me, just chooses not to acknowledge me.
“Have you decided what you want for breakfast?” she asks, again to Luke.
I roll my eyes with a smirk. Luke catches it. The tick fades away, a smile taking its place.
We place our order, Cassie writing in her little pad while I speak is the only indication I have that she’s aware of my existence.
As soon as she’s gone, Luke jumps back into our Brady discussion.
“He never told me that part.”
“Did you expect him to?” I scoff. “He made you all believe I kidnap—” Stopping mid sentence, I glance down at Brielle, finding her blue eyes going back and forth between Luke and I. I look back at him and whisper, even though I know she’s picked up on who we’re talking about already. “We can’t talk about this here.”
Luke agreed.
“But Della told me everything. As long as it’s clear between us that it didn’t play out that way, let’s just drop it okay?”
He nods, but his brows deepen in thought.
“Della told you what exactly?”
“His lies.”
“That’s all?”
“Please don’t tell me there’s more he’s done,” I plead, exhausted with all the news from yesterday.
Brady’s well crafted lies, Della’s extravagant life, Dad’s sobriety, Luke…looking like an upgraded version of his nineteen year old self that I thought was already perfect back then. I thought I came home with an open mind, prepared with endless possibilities of change. Yet the changes I found still shocked me.
“No,” he replies, but his hesitation is clear. There is more to tell. “Uh, so when do you think you’ll visit again?”
“Not sure, but Della invited us to the wedding. We’ll be back for that in May.”
“They did tell me that last night. Looks like we’re their bridal party.”
I laugh. “I found that odd, to be honest.”
“Which part.” His lips twitch.
“Della having a backyard wedding, for starters.”
She’s always been lavish, even when it was beyond her means. Della likes the spotlight, the attention, and never did I picture her having a small, intimate wedding.
“Don’t let that fool you. It’ll be the most extravagant backyard wedding you’ll ever attend. She met her match with Paul. He doesn’t have much of a relationship with his parents, but he comes from money. He’s a little too excessive sometimes.”
The way Luke talks about Paul I can tell he admires him beyond their vast differences. If Luke is at all the same in ways of his lifestyle from how I remember, he couldn’t be further from the opposite of his best friend. But Paul’s a genuine, caring guy. Even I could see that from last night.
“He’s renting an RV for Spring Break. I kinda picked up on the excessive part.”
“He’s from New York. He doesn’t know what real camping is.”
We shared a good laugh at Paul’s expense, but if the man were sitting here with us, I’d be willing to bet he’d join in on it too.
“I really want to go with them, Mommy,” Brielle finally speaks up.
“I know you do.” I glance down at her. “I just need to check a few things before I commit to going, okay?”
“Okay,” she replies with exaggeration, causing Luke and I to share a grin.
Our food arrives. Luke and Brielle start talking about her school project. She has me write down some of Luke’s relatives names. I guess Della filled him in on some information after we left. He asks about living in Tampa, and my job. I leave out the hardships I dealt with in the beginning. That, like the topic of Brady, was for another time when little ears weren’t around.
He discusses the tech company he shares with Paul. Which vacant store Paul bought, causing me to burst out laughing. They used to work from home, but once they gained enough clients they bought office space in the center of town. Paul never questioned why the building was such a good deal.
In my mind, from what little Paul told me the night before, I assumed they worked with the smaller companies around town. Their tech involved security, maintenance, and building new programs for businesses. From what Luke was saying, their services stretched beyond our small boarders. Sounds like they were doing very well for a newer company.
“I can’t believe you went the nerdy tech route,” I say, biting my lip. “Paul looks like one, but you…don’t.”
He’s masculine and sexy and rough around the edges. Luke went from mechanic to a soldier. So to hear that he’s basically a nerd, it stunned, but it was also hot.
“Well, he taught me everything I know. Paul’s definitely more advanced, but I can keep up. Besides, someone has to be the businessman and get the new clients.”
“I’m happy for you, Luke. Seems like you found something you really enjoy.”
“I think everything has worked out the way it should have,” he says.
We share an understanding in that moment. Leaving town, both of us the way we did, was meant to be.
I didn’t have much faith in there being something greater than us; beyond the universe, a heaven or a hell, but one part I believed with a passion was that everything happens for a reason.
Having breakfast with Luke is the best ending I could have asked for this weekend. I can’t believe I had been so nervous last night when he suggested it. He put us at ease, and accepted Brielle and I like family.
When we finished our food, and he walked us to my car, I felt good about the future. Of course, Brady could still screw it all up, but I’d worry about him when the time came. My dad is sober and I have so many questions for him. My friendship with Della is on the mend. Luke is going to be a great uncle to Brielle. I’m sort of kicking myself in the butt for not getting him involved in her life sooner.
Whenever I thought of the past it always circled my friendship with Della. I was so scared to imagine Luke at all, that I forgot about how great he and I had been as friends once. I cheapened our friendship by only remembering how we departed.
It’s safe to move forward. We’re grown adults. The past is in the past.
Outside, we say our goodbyes, but it won’t be the last.
When Brielle is safely buckled in the back, I’m opening my door to get behind the wheel. I thought Luke had walked off already. But he hadn’t. It’s not the same position as last night. I’m not trapped between my car and Luke. At least, not trapped physically.
His fingers brush down the inside of my arm. Gripping at my finger tips like he’s afraid to touch any more than that. By the electric shock zapping the ends of my fingers, I’m afraid too.
Not all of the past is going to stay put.
He stands near, looming above me. What I’m scared of now is the fact that I’m not scared at all. I’m not concerned about Della. She’s moved on and happy. I couldn’t give a flying fuck about Brady. And the town already believes me to be a disgrace, so no sense in worrying there. It would be rather odd to admit I have feelings for my daughter’s uncle, but it’s not the worse idea in the world.
It all seems too easy, and that freaks me out.
Thank god I don’t live here anymore.
“Liv, I’m sorry for all the shit Brady left you to deal with,” Luke says.
“Don’t apologize for your brother’s mistakes.”
“Someone should. He’s never going to.”
“Luke,” I sigh. “Things got really crappy for awhile, but I don’t regret any of it. I needed to go. I hope you understand that.”
“I do, and I don’t.” He stares down at our hands. “Maybe you’ll tell me all about it some time.”
“I will.”
He lets me go. Inside my car, I watch him cross the parking lot to his big truck. Last night I could tell it wasn’t black, but a dark shade. In the sunlight I see the deep maroon with flecks of shimmer bouncing of it.
I drive away, reasoning once again we can all move forward from here. But my gut tells me it’s going to be a bumpy ride.