She glanced at the clock and shot out of bed when she saw it was almost noon. Luke was probably waiting for her to get up so he could take her home and get to work. Her dress from the night before was impossibly wrinkled from being slept in, but it would get her home. After a quick trip to the bathroom, she rushed outside where Luke was throwing a tennis ball for Buddy.

As Buddy flipped himself over in his haste to grab the ball, Luke laughed. Watching him, Sydney remembered the tender way he’d cared for her the night before, how he’d encouraged her to talk about the family she’d loved and lost, and how he’d put her needs above his own, the way he had even as a boy.

“Hey,” Luke said. “You’re up.”

“I’m so sorry. I’ve made you late for work.”

Walking over to her, he said, “I took the day off.”

“Because of me.”

He kissed her nose. “We work seven days a week this time of year. I can’t tell you when I last had a full day off, so I was due. No worries, honey.”

Sydney could tell she surprised him when she put her arms around his waist and went up on tiptoes to kiss him.

“What’s that for?”

“To thank you for last night. You got me through a rough spot, and I appreciate it.”

He wrapped her up in a tight hug. “I was glad to be there for you. Now, how about some coffee and something to eat? You have to be starving after not eating last night.”

“Coffee would be great, but then I should go. You probably have things to do.”

Drawing back to look down at her, he touched his lips to her forehead. “I thought we agreed you were going to stay with me awhile.”

Sydney looked up at him. His face was freshly shaven, his hair still damp from the shower, and his serious dark eyes were intensely focused on her. “I thought you meant just last night.”

“I meant for as long as you want to be here.”

“Oh.”

He reached for her hand and linked their fingers. “Let’s start with coffee and go from there.”

She followed him inside, where he poured coffee and insisted on making her an omelet and toast. Sydney was lingering over a second cup of coffee when she asked Luke about her purse.

“I’ll get it for you.” He went into the living room and returned with it.

“Thanks.” She checked her cell phone and let out a gasp. “Oh God. My mother’s been calling all morning.” Sydney called her mother back as Luke got busy cleaning up the kitchen.

“Sydney!” Her mother’s voice was frantic. “Where have you been? Why haven’t you answered your phone?”