Chapter 45

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Summer 2022 - June

"So... where did you decide to take us to eat?" Ana asked, kicking her shoes off in the passenger seat of Luke's car.

"That's part of the surprise, Ana Kate," Luke grinned at her.

Ana huffed. "Oh, come on, Lukey. You know I can't stand surprises. Where are we going?"

"Gonna have to suck it up for me just this one time, girl," he said casually.

Ana heaved a big sigh. "You're insufferable sometimes, you know that, right?"

"It's always my pleasure to be," Luke replied with a smirk. He eyed her in the beautiful dress she was wearing, subtle curls falling next to her face.

"You wish," she rolled her eyes, a smile pulling at Ana's lips.

Luke continued to drive, taking a right across the bridge in Branson that separated the lake from everything else in the world, as if it were its own island. It truly was the most perfect summer day, weather-wise. The sun was beaming through the windshield, the calm waves of the lake rippling as they drove across the bridge. Ana stuck her hand out the window, letting the freshwater air run through her fingers. She inhaled deeply, resonating with a scent she knew all too well.

The scent of home. Here in Branson, with Luke next to her.

"Do you think the rest of them are gonna spy on us while we're out on our date?" Ana asked, suspicious.

Luke snorted in agreement. "Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me. Obviously I told Jack and Huggy about it, so I'm sure Emma and Jentry know."

"Well, I told Em and Jen myself, so... everyone does know," Ana replied, sucking air in between her teeth.

Luke shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah. They're definitely gonna be spies or constantly text us the whole time we're here," he said, smiling.

"Gosh, we can't do anything by ourselves, can we?" Ana chuckled.

"Do you see them here?" he asked her plainly.

"Well, no. But that doesn't mean they won't be hiding in the fucking bushes when we get to wherever we're eating," Ana said.

"Facts. Who knows what they're doing right now. But I don't care. I'm here with you, and that's all that matters right now," Luke answered, a small grin pulling at his lips.

Ana's cheeks warmed at the comment, not quite sure how to react. She struggled to find the right words.

Am I actually speechless about talking to my best friend right now? Gosh, I've got it bad, Ana said to herself in a slight panic. She swallowed hard.

"Me too," was all she could muster.

Luke drove along the curvy road that traced around the marina docks, finally pulling into a familiar parking lot of a small wooden cabin building. It took Ana a moment to realize where they were, and when she did, her eyes lit up with surprise.

"The grill place? We haven't been here in forever, Luke," she cracked a smile. "I'd nearly forgotten about it."

Luke shrugged. "It was exactly why I picked it. We've been everywhere else multiple times, so I wanted to choose something different. It's special that way," he said to her.

Ana's heart fluttered, just a tad. She couldn't believe him right now. "I, uh, have to say that I'm very impressed. You thought of all this?"

"Of course, Ana Kate," he said, fixing the collar of his shirt in the rearview mirror. "I told you earlier. Real date."

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