Page 114 of See You There

Luke grinned. “I’m glad. Did you pick one?”

“I think so, but I want to take my time. I don’t want to rush into a decision. That’s what got me in trouble in the first place.”Dahlia stepped up onto a rock in their path and hopped down. “What did you do?”

“I called my mom. I missed the call last night, and I didn’t want her to worry.”

Dahlia’s cheeks flushed, and she tripped. Luke caught her elbow to steady her, relishing how the pink tinge deepened to scarlet when he intentionally stroked down her arm. He removed his hand.

“How is she?” she asked in a strangled voice.

“Good, curious about you.”

In fact, his mother had practically cross-examined him.

“You like her a lot,”Anne said after he had recapped his day.

“She’s very easy to like,” Luke hedged. He and his mother might be close, but he wasn’t sure he was ready to talk about his feelings for Dahlia.

“It sounds like you had fun yesterday swimming.”

Luke let out a little laugh at an image of Dahlia with muddy knees, swinging out over the water, her eyes shining.

“Ah-ha!” His mother crowed. “That is exactly what I’m talking about! You laughed. You never laugh like that.”

“What are you talking about? I’m the fun one!” Luke protested.

“I know you think so,” Anne teased, “but it’s been a while since I’ve heard a genuine laugh from you.”

Luke started to argue, but he thought his mother might be right. Ever since his father had announced he was marrying Courtney, things had felt different. Dahlia had brought light back into his life.

“Soooo,” Anne drew out, “I know it hasn’t been two weeks yet, but do you think she’ll make the cut?”

Luke’s mouth fell open. “I… I… Who told you about—”

“Your infamous two-week rule? Darling, everyone knows about it. I know some people think it is a negative strike against you, but I understand where it comes from.” Anne’s voice was sad.

Luke wasn’t sure what to say. They had never openly discussed his mother and father’s relationship. He didn’t want to hurt her by bringing it up. But Anne seemed to sense what he was thinking.

“I know your father’s approach to romance impacted all of you, but in case I haven’t made it clear before… I wouldn’t trade the years I spent with David for anything. I loved him, and he gave me not only you and James, but Declan and Cara, too.”

A knot formed in his throat. “He left you. You had a family together, and he didn’t care.”

“Oh, Luke, that’s not really what you believe, is it?” Anne gasped. “That’s not what happened at all!”

Pressure built at the back of Luke’s eyes. “We used to hear you crying, Mom. James and me. At night. I saw your face when we told you he was going to marry Courtney.”

“Luke.” His heart clenched at his mother’s moan. “I wish you had said something before this. I would have explained. Your father didn’t leave me. I left him.”

The shock of her words hit Luke square in his chest, and he shook his head, denying her words. “No, that’s not—”

“I’m pretty sure I would know. I was there.”

“But why? Don’t tell me you didn’t still love him.”

“I did. I loved your father so much, but I couldn’t make a life with him. We were too different. I had my career and my beliefs, and some things your father did…” Anne didn’t need to finish the sentence. Luke had heard the rumors about his father’s business practices. “He had his own issues, but he was the best father he knew how to be.”

“He wasn’t going to win any awards for parenting,” Luke countered.

“No, that’s true. It wasn’t all bad either.”