Syd closed her eyes, summoning fortitude. “I’m so sorry. My phone fell out of my purse in the car last night. I didn’t notice until now.”

“Your father and I were about to call the airlines!”

“I’m sorry you were worried. How was the reunion?” She talked to her dad next, and by the time they hung up, her parents were reassured that Sydney was doing fine on the island. She put her head down on the counter for a second to regroup.

Luke’s hands landed on her shoulders, kneading away the tension. “Everything okay?”

“It’s normal, isn’t it? After what happened, it’s normal for them to hover over me to the point of suffocation, right?”

“I suppose so.”

She tipped her head to encourage him to continue the divine massage. “I know they don’t mean to smother me, but I wanted to jump for joy when they left on their trip. If they come back before the end of August, I may very well shoot myself.”

“I’ll lock up the guns.”

Sydney laughed and then moaned when he worked out a tight knot.

“Will you tell them?”

“About what?”

“That you’re seeing me again.”

“Eventually.”

“Will it be an issue?”

Even though she wasn’t at all finished enjoying the massage, she turned so she could see him. “Not for me.”

“So if your parents flip out that you’re dating the marina guy again, you’ll be fine with that?”

“I imagine they’ll want me to be happy.”

“And if they don’t approve?”

Sydney wrapped her hands around his and waited until his gaze met hers. “It won’t matter.”

“You say that now.”

“Trust me when I tell you I love my parents, but I’m not under their thumbs. Not anymore.”

He nodded, released her hands and went to finish the dishes.

Sydney followed him and wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her face on his back. She held him until she felt the tension begin to leave him.

“You need to call Maddie. She was here last night, and she’s worried about you. She’s called this morning hoping to talk to you.”

“I’ll call her. After that, can we run by my place so I can get some clothes and a toothbrush?”

“Sure.”

“Are we okay, Luke?”

“Of course we are.”

He said what she wanted to hear, but she wondered if he meant it. Once again her parents were coming between them, and this time they were more than a thousand miles away.

Luke drove her home to pack a bag and collect Buddy’s toys. She made them a picnic lunch that they took to the beach in front of Luke’s house. Buddy chased the seagulls and flirted with the waves, running back to the safety of the blanket when the waves got the better of him.