Page 112 of Sweet Harmony

“I think weshould get some fresh air,” he said.

“We don’t needto,” she said.

“Mama G!” Lucasjoined them, and he gave Gina an enthusiastic hug. “You’re lookingfantastic.”

Gina laughedand patted his cheek. “You clean up rather nice yourself,Lucas.”

“Don’t I?”Lucas winked at her. “Ethel Borswell grabbed my ass not fiveminutes ago.”

“Lucas!” Ginasaid. “Ethel Borswell is seventy-three years old.”

“What can Isay,” Lucas said. “The ladies love me. All of them.”’

He shook Rob’shand and Kira was weirdly grateful when he gave Lisa a decidedlycold smile. “Lisa.”

“Hi, Lucas.It’s good to see you again. How’s the world of video games?” Lisa’ssmile had widened but for the first time, Kira thought it lookedfake and unnatural.

“Fine,” Lucassaid dismissively. He punched Connor in the arm. “I see you finallybought yourself a real tie instead of a clip on.”

“At least I’mwearing one,” Connor said.

“Hey,gorgeous,” Lucas smiled at her.

“Hi,” shesaid.

“Lucas, this isKira,” Gina said. “Kira, Lucas has been Connor’s best friend sincethey were kids.”

“She knows,”Lucas said.

“Oh,” Ginasaid. “Have you two met before?”

Lucas put hisarm around Kira’s shoulders and tugged her away from Connor. “Ofcourse, we have, Mama G. I’m Connor’s best friend, and Kira’s hisgirlfriend. We’ve hung out like, what, five or six times now?”

He turned toKira who said, “Seven, I think.”

“Right. Iforgot about strip poker night,” Lucas said.

Connor laughedand even Kira managed a more natural smile. She barely knew Lucas,but holy hell, she was eternally grateful to him.

“We’repractically besties, aren’t we, Kira?” Lucas said.

“Practically,”she said.

Lucas leaneddown and planted a kiss on her cheek. “You’re looking beautiful.Connor’s a lucky man.”

“Thank you.”She gave him a huge smile that she hoped conveyed exactly how muchshe loved him in this moment.

“How about you,Lucas?” Lisa’s voice had lost some of its warmth. “Are you seeinganyone special?”

“Does EthelBorswell grabbing my ass count as someone special?” Lucas said.“Because I’m thinking it might.”

“Oh, Lucas,”Gina said with a sigh as Connor reached out and tugged Kira awayfrom Lucas and up against him.

He gave heranother worried look before leaning down and breathing into herear. “I should have told you. I’m sorry.”

She nodded butslipped her arm around his waist and gave him a squeeze andreassuring smile. Yeah, he definitely should have mentioned it butnow wasn’t the time to talk about it.

“We should finda seat,” Rob said.

---