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“Luke?” I whisper, my voice catching. “What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t stay away,” he says softly, stepping inside. His hair is slightly damp, like he just showered, and the faint scent of soap clings to him. He’s wearing jeans and a plain black t-shirt, simple and understated, but he still manages to take my breath away.
“I shouldn’t be here,” he whispers, even as he draws me into his arms. “But I had to know how it went.”
“It went well,” I tell him, smiling. I go on to tell him about the event—the record-breaking donations, Hunter’s moving speech, and the way his band’s auction package sparked a bidding war. “Everyone loved the food. Hunter and his team were thrilled.”
“Of course they were,” he says, his voice warm. “You’re talented, Lila. I knew you’d pull itoff.”
His confidence in me sends a flutter through my chest, but I push it aside. “You didn’t have to stay up just to tell me that.”
“I wanted to,” he says simply, his gaze steady. “Wish I could have seen it.” His thumb traces patterns on my palm. Turning my hand over, he presses a kiss to my palm that makes me shiver. When he pulls me closer, I go willingly, wrapping my arms around his neck as his mouth finds mine.
The kiss is desperate, heavy with everything we can’t say. His hands span my waist, holding me like I might disappear, as if these stolen moments are all we’ll ever have.
A dog barks in the distance, breaking the spell. Luke rests his forehead against mine, his breath unsteady.
“I should go.” But he doesn’t move; he just holds me tighter. “In case…”
“I know.” I breathe him in—wanting one more whiff of his scent and soap. “Just... one more minute?”
He answers by capturing my mouth again, softer this time like he’s memorizing my taste. When he finally pulls away, the loss feels physical.
“Soon,” he promises, tightening his arms. “Everything will be worth it—I promise.”
I watch him slip out the back sliding glass doors, a shadow among shadows. Then he turns and looks at me through the glass, and even in the darkness, I feel the intensity of his gaze.
Then he’s gone, leaving only the phantom press of his lips and the ache of empty arms. I touch my mouth, still warm from his kiss, and try to believe that ‘soon’ will come quickly enough.
Twenty
Luke
The Capital Grille feels like a stage set tonight, with everyone playing their assigned roles to perfection. Crystal sparkles in something silver and extravagant while Marcus holds court at the head of the private dining room like a king overseeing his subjects. Even the other diners seem carefully chosen—Jacksonville’s elite, here to witness this merger of money and music.
Dad arrives exactly on time, looking stronger than he has in months. If I didn’t know better, I’d neverguess he was putting on an act.
“Son.” He hugs me with just the right amount of fatherly pride. “Crystal, you look lovely.”
“Jim!” She air kisses his cheeks. “We’re so happy you could make it. Aren’t we, Daddy?”
Marcus raises his crystal wine glass. “Indeed. Nothing better than family coming together.”
The threat underlying his words isn’t lost on either of us, but Dad just smiles and takes his seat. I catch Jaxson’s warnings echoing in my head: The fewer details he knows, the more genuine his reactions will be.
“Luke, dear.” Crystal loops her arm through mine. “Come say hello to the Hendersons. They simply must attend the wedding.”
I let her drag me around the room, making small talk and accepting congratulations from people I barely know. My cheeks hurt from fake smiling, but Marcus watches my every move like a hawk studying its prey.
“To the happy couple!” Someone calls out, and suddenly, everyone’s raising glasses.
“Speech!” Crystal squeezes my arm hard enough to leave marks. “Luke, say something!”
The room falls quiet, all eyes on me. Dad gives me an imperceptible nod—play the part, his eyes say. Just a little longer.
I clear my throat. “Crystal and I...” The words taste like ashes. “We’re overwhelmed by everyone’s support. This partnership—“ Marcus’s eyes narrow at my word choice, ”—this union of our families feels...”
“Destined,” Crystal supplies helpfully.