“I’m so glad you were on the island and able to bring us over.”

“So am I.”

Taking a deep breath, Luke sat up. “I hope I didn’t mess up your day too badly.”

“Don’t give it a thought. What I was doing will keep until later.” He couldn’t wait to get back to Erin, to resume where they’d left off, to kiss her and touch her. Okay, enough of those thoughts, or he was going to have an embarrassing situation to contend with.

“So you’re sticking around for the holidays?” Luke asked while staring at the door to the exam rooms.

Sensing his friend was desperately seeking something to take his mind off what might be happening with Sydney, Slim said, “There’s this lighthouse keeper, you see.”

Luke tore his gaze off the doors to look at Slim. “You and Erin? Really?”

“Seems that way.”

“I wondered if anything would come of that after Alex and Jenny’s wedding, but then you left.”

“And I’ve talked to her almost every day since.”

Luke returned his attention to the doors that stood between him and the woman he loved. “Wow, that’s awesome. She seems really great.”

“She is, but she’s really guarded, too. She’s been through a lot in her life. You know that Jenny’s fiancé, who died on 9/11, was Erin’s twin, right?”

“Yeah, I did know that.”

“From what I can gather, her life has been in somewhat of a tailspin since then. I’m trying to take it slow, but whenever I’m with her, I seem to forget about that plan.”

“It was like that with me and Syd when we first got together, too. After losing her family the way she did, she wasn’t sure she wanted to risk her heart again. I’m glad she finally decided to take the leap.”

“She is, too. You guys are great together.”

As if he couldn’t bear to stay seated any longer, Luke got up and began to pace. “What could be taking so long?”

“I’m sure they’re just being thorough.”

Luke rubbed his chest. “I feel like I’m having a heart attack.”

“It’s probably anxiety. Try taking some deep breaths.”

Luke was still rubbing his chest fifteen minutes later when a nurse came through the doors.

“Mr. Harris? You can come on back.”

Luke bolted for the doors.

Slim watched him go, hoping and praying he’d get good news on the other side. While he waited to hear more, he sent a text to Erin.

At the ER with Luke and Syd. Waiting to hear what’s up before I head back. Do you miss me yet?

She replied right away: Who is this?

Ha-ha. You’re very funny!

Hoping for good news for Syd. It’s nice of you to wait with them.

Luke is losing it. I’m glad I came.