Luke stepped in front of her before she could follow. He leaned down and kissed her softly. “I’m so glad you came tonight.” He cupped her face. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Luke kissed her right there with his sister-in-law watching with a smile and Sarah felt like she belonged because it seemed everyone was happy for her and Luke.

They’d welcomed her, Jack, and Nick and made them feel like part of the family because she and the boys were connected to Luke.

“What is it, sweetheart?”

“I really like your family.”

“They like you, too.” Luke kissed her again. “But not as much as I like you.” Then he kissed her with all the heat and desire that usually sizzled between them.

“Luke!” his mother called. “Bring her here before you set the house on fire, dear.”

Luke smiled down at her, rolled his eyes, took her hand, and led her into the kitchen, where his mother handed her a glass of wine, and clinked her glass to Sarah’s. “Thank you for ending his bachelor streak.”

And just like that, all the reservations Sarah didn’t think she harbored about whether Luke was really serious about moving their relationship along so quickly evaporated.

Chapter Thirty-One

Sarah sipped her wine. Somehow they’d ended up staying in the kitchen, sitting at the island counter, watching the chef Luke hired cook. The young guy didn’t seem to mind the company. He even threw together a cheese, cracker, and fruit plate for them to snack on before dinner. Sitting in the kitchen with Lila and Luke seemed cozy and such a family thing.

She’d never had family dinners growing up, but she’d imagined it was something like this. That’s why she always made time to have dinner with the boys.

Lila stacked a slice of sharp cheddar atop a cracker. “Luke, the house looks great. I love all the changes you’ve made. I know things were in need of an update, but what you’ve chosen to do has kept the feel of the house and yet made it more modern and you.”

“I’m really happy with the renovation.”

Sarah loved the white Shaker cabinets, black hardware, and big, bold island he’d done in a dark gray that offset the gorgeous white countertops and played off the black chandelier over the breakfast nook. The wood barstools gave the room warmth along with the hardwood floors that ran through the house.

“My favorite is the great room,” Lila said with a bright smile. “The wood and beams on the ceiling are so warm against the white walls that set off the paintings of Greece.”

Luke nodded. “Raising the ceiling and adding the wood and beams made the room. The blue wall in the dining room plays off the ocean color in the paintings. The place finally feels like me. And with Sarah and the boys here, it feels like home.”

Sarah caught her breath, completely caught off guard that he’d so openly reveal that to his mom. Her heart swelled with love for him. “Luke . . .”