His stomach grumbled at the mention of food. Luke was a firm believer in starting the day off with a full meal. For him, the more carbs the better. “It all sounds amazing. I’m starving.”
“Good.” She looked down at her clothes and tugged at her top. “I really should change into fresh clothes, but if I’m cooking I might as well just keep this on, right? We can just pretend I didn’t sleep in my clothes.” Her tinkling laughter made him smile.
He winked at her. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”
Once they were in the kitchen, Stella started taking items out of the fridge and placing pans on the stove. She brought out a cutting board and began dicing an assortment of vegetables and ham.
“Do you have any orange juice and champagne? I make a mean mimosa.” He winked at her. “I might not be able to cook, but I can do that.”
“I definitely have orange juice,” Stella said. “And I might have some champagne in the cupboard. During the holidays I always buy some for gatherings and I think there’s one still sitting on the shelf.” Luke let out a cry of triumph when he spotted a bottle of prosecco where Stella said it would be. “Jackpot!” he called out, holding up the bottle.
“Yay!” Stella said as she gave him a thumbs-up then turned back to her cooking. As mouthwatering aromas filled the air, Luke busied himself making the mimosas and setting a table for two. For a moment he toyed with the idea of setting up at the patio table just to give Stella’s nosy neighbor a thrill and something to flap her jaw about. He reined in his desire to have a little fun with her, realizing he preferred an intimate breakfast with Stella with no curious gazes trained on them.
By the time breakfast was ready, Luke could honestly say he would have eaten just about anything. He sat down across from Stella and eagerly helped himself to generous portions of sausage and grits. The omelettes Stella made were masterpieces—nice and fluffy and perfect.
“These are yummy,” Stella said, sipping her mimosa. “You’ve got skills.”
“Cheers,” Luke said, holding his glass up and clinking it against Stella’s. “To breaking all the rules.” Just being with Stella constituted rule breaking. They’d broken their arrangement in order to pursue something real. He considered it one of the best decisions he’d ever made.
“I hear that,” Stella said. “To summer…and all of its possibilities.” They clinked glasses again and Luke wondered if she was referring to their relationship with her toast. He hoped she was.
Stella made him feel that his possibilities were unlimited. Despite everything, life was ripe with promise. He was back home with Miles and Nick, who he could be a support system for as they continued to adjust to life without Kara. His parents were getting older and once they returned home from their cruise, there were dozens of ways he could help them out around their home. Just because he wasn’t a SEAL any longer didn’t mean his life couldn’t have an impact on other people. Being around Stella drove the point home.
There was so much to look forward to in the coming weeks and months. Even though he’d felt as if his life had come to a crashing halt six months ago, the truth was, it was only just beginning. And he couldn’t deny that Stella Marshall was a big part of it.
***
A few days had passed since the Fourth of July and Stella’s heart-to-heart discussion with Luke. Above all else, it stuck in her mind that he was a good man trying to find his way in the world. She hoped he would stay in Mistletoe and that their relationship would grow into something that would make both of them content. She didn’t want to assume anything since her past had taught her what happened when you make assumptions. This time around Stella was going to try to enjoy the journey without putting too much pressure on herself or Luke.
Tonight they’d made plans to see a movie at Casablanca’s.Stormy Weather, starring Lena Horne—one of the most beautiful and talented actresses from Hollywood’s Golden Age—had been one of her grandmother’s favorites. Stella was excited that Luke was open to seeing a classic film and not the adrenaline-pumping action movies most men favored.
Not that there was anything wrong with them, she thought with a chuckle. Action flicks were Dante’s bread and butter.
Stella inhaled the salty sea air as she looked out across the shores of Mistletoe Bay. It was a gorgeous day for an outing with her sister. Weeks ago she’d convinced Lucy to sign up for a painting class with her at the marina. They were both painting the Maine landscape stretched out in front of them—sparkling blue waters, seagulls soaring in the air, and a harbor full of boats. This was the type of serenity Stella enjoyed during summer break. No students calling out to her, no papers to grade, and no stale coffee in the teachers’ lounge. For at least another month she was footloose and fancy-free. She’d created a list of a dozen things she wanted to do with Luke this summer. While some of them involved leaving the local area, others were things they could do right here in Mistletoe. Crabbing at the beach. Riding the Ferris wheel at the summer carnival. Taking a cruise out on Mistletoe Bay.
And for a walk on the wild side, skinny-dipping at the lake. That would be a good way for her to step out of her comfort zone and do something different. Hadn’t that been one of her vows for this summer? To be bolder and more settled in her own skin. Engaging in a fake dating relationship with Luke had definitely been daring, but she wanted to keep stretching and growing.
Her mind kept going back to the Fourth of July when she and Luke had gotten closer on an emotional level. They’d held each other all through the night and he’d peeled back the layers and revealed his vulnerabilities. She now felt more connected to him than she’d ever imagined possible. Her feelings for him were growing stronger with every passing day.
Being around Luke had changed Stella’s way of thinking about her relationship with Rafe. Now, she was able to see so much of what had been missing between them. She’d never had an intense discussion with her ex. Not like the ones she and Luke had shared. It had always been very superficial. She couldn’t recall a single time either one of them had shown their vulnerabilities or revealed the deepest parts of themselves. It hadn’t been a solid foundation for a future. She’d been blinded by her desire to settle down and be paired off with someone.
But maybe Rafe had known something wasn’t as it should have been between them. He’d still been a big huge jerk to her, but perhaps he’d ended things because he just couldn’t imagine them being together for the long haul. Lately, thinking about him didn’t hurt as much. It simply felt as if he belonged to another life and another time.
“So what’s going on with you and Luke?” Lucy asked with wide eyes. “Any updates?”
“It’s going well. We had a little hiccup at the fireworks, but he came over later that night and really opened up to me about some of the issues he’s been dealing with.”
“Yeah, I knew something was up when he disappeared that night,” Lucy said. “I’m glad you smoothed things out. I really like him. Dante told me a few stories about their high school antics, and those boys were a handful.”
Just remembering how Luke had been so vulnerable with her caused a little shiver to run through Stella. “He’s been through a lot, Lucy. I admire him so much for being such a good person and caring about others the way he does. He could have come back from Afghanistan hardened and embittered, but he’s trying to help others even though he’s hurting. He’s going to New Hampshire to speak to the family of one of his SEAL team members who died on one of their missions.”
“Oh, wow. That’s bound to be emotional.” Lucy bit her lip and looked at her canvas with a critical eye before adding a flourish of blue to her painting. “Is he prepared for a meeting like that?”
Stella thought about Luke a moment before saying, “I think he can handle it. He’s such a wonderful mix of kindness and compassion. Luke is strong. And he’s determined to see this through.”
Stella wanted Luke to achieve closure. If he needed this face-to-face meetup with Kenny’s family in order to move forward, then she supported him doing it. Perhaps it would end his nightmares and feelings of guilt. And maybe it would help Kenny’s family process what had happened to their beloved son. “I can’t think of anyone who’s more deserving of something good happening to them than Luke.”
Lucy leaned over and peered closely at her face. “Stella! Are you in love with Luke?”
