“Well it’s written all over your face, so just come out with it.” Stella heard the impatience in her voice. She wanted Lucy to be honest with her, but at the same time she didn’t want her sister to say anything to dampen her spirits. What she was experiencing with Luke was soul stirring and exciting and real. Stella knew all too well how things could turn on a dime. Nothing was written in stone.
Lucy closed the space between them and reached for Stella’s hands. “This is coming from a place of love, first and foremost. Luke seems like a good guy. I mean, come on, he’s a Navy SEAL. It doesn’t get more honorable than that.”
“But?” Stella had seen abutcoming from a mile away. Lucy’s eyes were full of concern. It was funny to be on this side of it since it had always been Stella watching out for Lucy. When she’d reunited with Dante, Stella had been like a mama bear protecting her cub. She imagined Lucy felt the same way about Stella’s heart.
“I’m worried that you’re rushing things with Luke and that you’re going to get hurt again.” Stella opened her mouth to speak, but Lucy held her hand up. “Just hear me out. Luke is back from a war zone after going through a traumatic incident. You’ve had your own pain and suffering due to your narcissistic ex-fiancé. I’m just saying to be careful. Don’t jump in feet first.”
Stella took a few moments to absorb Lucy’s comments. Nothing she’d said surprised Stella. The same thoughts had rolled around in her own head a time or two. But the truth was she’d come to a huge realization about her feelings for Rafe, and they were nothing like what she felt for Luke.
“There were a lot of things that weren’t right about me and Rafe. It’s taken me a long time to put the pieces together, but looking back I may have loved him, but I didn’t like him.” Stella saw Lucy’s eyes widen. “He wasn’t always nice to me and for a very long time I ignored the red flags.” She took a steadying breath. “All this time I’ve focused on losing him when in reality I was mourning the things I wanted—a life partner, a home, a family.” A tear ran down her face as reality settled in. “I don’t love Rafe, Lucy. And I’m not on the rebound. Because of Luke I faced some hard truths about what I was settling for by agreeing to marry Rafe in the first place. He used to be extremely passive aggressive toward me and I made excuses for it. His behavior took a toll on me, so I’ve really had to take a good look in the mirror to figure out why I said yes to his proposal in the first place.”
“Oh, Stella,” Lucy cried. “I knew from our conversations that Rafe could be difficult at times. When you got engaged I figured he’d sorted himself out.”
“He did briefly, but it didn’t last long. And I should have walked away well before he did.” Stella bowed her head. She still felt ashamed at how much she’d tolerated.
She swung her gaze up to look at Lucy. “So you see, I know Luke and I didn’t have the perfect setup for a romance, but it’s real. It feels right. We have a connection that’s genuine. It was nothing either of us ever expected or wanted. I honestly never thought I’d ever feel this way for someone again…not after what Rafe put me through.” She shrugged. “I kind of accepted that I’d be alone, but then Luke came along. I’m not saying we’re walking off into the sunset together, but it feels nice to have someone in my life who cares about me.”
“Are you looking for something serious?” Lucy asked. The question was an overwhelming one for Stella. Her only experience with love had been with Rafe, and it hadn’t been a healthy relationship. What did she know about relationships?
“I don’t know, Lucy. Each and every day my feelings are growing. My stomach does butterflies when he’s nearby, and I can’t stop thinking about him. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like we’ve known each other for a lifetime.”
“That sounds pretty intense. It’s how I feel about Dante.” Lucy shot her a knowing look. “I’m not going to press you on it, but it sounds to me like you may already have fallen.”
Stella busied herself with stirring the potato salad. She didn’t make eye contact with Lucy out of fear she would see all her emotions resting on the surface. Love was such a big word. It was something she’d vowed to avoid at all costs. And now she was dating a man who made her feel vulnerable to all the possibilities.
As much as she was excited about being coupled up with Luke, Stella knew he still had issues to wade through. Getting closure with Kenny’s family might never happen. She worried that Luke was more wrapped up in resolving the Smiths’ issues than taking a look at his own. He didn’t talk a lot about the mission that had ended his military tenure and cost him the lives of Kenny and Aaron. It was way more complex than bridging the gap between himself and Kenny’s mother.
As much as she knew Luke wanted to give others closure, Stella had the feeling he needed it just as badly.
Chapter Eighteen
By the time Luke arrived at Stella’s house with Nick and Miles, a few other guests had already trickled in. Stella’s parents, Tess, and Carolina were relaxing on the patio with Dante and Lucy. She was still waiting for a few members of Dante’s family and some of her work friends. A festive vibe hung in the air. Stella was incredibly excited to be around family and friends and celebrating the Fourth of July. Every time the door opened or she heard footsteps, Stella’s mind went to Luke. She was counting down the minutes until he arrived. It was a sure sign she was crazy about the man.
“I come bearing chocolate chip cookies,” Luke said as he entered the kitchen holding up a tray of mouth-watering cookies covered in Saran Wrap. “Where should I put them?”
“Over on the table,” Stella said, gesturing behind her. “If you can find a spot.” Thanks to all of her guests bringing contributions, the table was laden with fruit, salad, chips, brownies, and a variety of other treats.
Luke placed the cookies on the table and turned toward Stella. “How’s it going? You look festive.” Stella had decked herself out in a pair of jean shorts and a red, white, and blue T-shirt. On her arms she was wearing red, white, and blue bangles.
“Thank you. I like your shirt.” He was wearing a vibrant red shirt paired with a pair of denim shorts. A pair of Havaianas sandals perfected the outfit.
“Thanks.” He tapped his chin as a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. “I had a visit earlier from someone who looks a little bit like you, except she’s a lot shorter and way sassier.” The glint in Luke’s soulful brown eyes broadcast his amusement.
Stella covered her face with her hands. “Oh no. She didn’t! I wish that I could say I’m shocked, but I’m actually mortified.”
“Don’t be,” Luke said, pulling her hands away from her face. “She loves you, Stella.” He looked down at her, a sweet smile gracing his face. “It’s pretty obvious to me that everyone in your orbit does. That’s a testament to who you are as a person. She’s just watching out for you, which is pretty amazing for a kid her age.”
“Watching out for me? Uh oh. What did she say to you?” Dread swept over her. When it came to Tess all bets were off. As cute as she was, Tess had a problem with boundaries. Anything was possible considering she’d once kicked Dante in a misguided attempt at defending Lucy’s honor.
“Don’t worry,” Luke said, drawing closer to her and pressing a kiss on her temple. “If anything, it only enhanced my opinion of you. According to Tess, you’re wearing a Superwoman costume under that tank top.” Luke reached out and tugged at her shirt.
She loved this playful side of him. It made her feel lighthearted in a way she hadn’t experienced in a long time. It felt good to laugh and joke with Luke. There hadn’t been enough of this in her life in the last few years. Someday she wouldn’t be shocked by her little sister’s antics, but at the moment all she could do was shake her head.
“Tess is ten years old. She tends to put her older sisters on a pedestal. Lucy and I try not to let her down, even when she makes outrageous requests.” Like last Christmas when she’d asked Lucy to see if Dante would be her special guest at school. At the time, Lucy and Dante hadn’t yet reconciled. Somehow, Lucy had found a way to make it happen.
Luke scoffed. “Tess? Outrageous? I’m having a hard time picturing that.” His laughter brought adorable crinkles to the corners of his eyes.
“Are you talking about me? ’Cause my ears are burning.” Tess was standing by the sliding glass door with their father by her side. Walt Marshall was a good-looking man with salt-and-pepper close-cropped hair framing a handsome, russet-colored face.
