Page 47 of Beautiful Harmony

“Why? It doesn’t mean anything,” she said.

It was the wrong thing to say. She regretted it as soon as it came out of her mouth, even before the hurt washed over Lucas’s face like a tsunami.

He turned and snatched up his shirt from the floor, pulling it over his head before shoving his feet into his shoes and grabbing his wallet and jacket.

“Lucas, I didn’t mean -”

“I have to go,” he said, his voice robotic and emotionless.

“Lucas, please wait.” She stumbled after him as he strode toward the front door. “Lucas!”

He paused with his hand on the doorknob before staring at her. “Goodbye, Emma.”

He slipped outside, shutting the door softly behind him. Emma stared blankly at the door before sucking in a hitching breath as the hot tears streamed down her face.

CHAPTER13

Lucas was making a mistake, and he knew he was, but it hadn’t stopped him from driving to Emma’s on Sunday afternoon.

He could pretend to be going for his knitting lesson, but he knew the truth. He’d spent most of last night lying awake, hearing Emma’s soft scream in his head, seeing the pain flash across her face. He should never have left her last night. He should have stayed calm and not let his emotions dictate his actions. Had it hurt to realize that Emma didn’t agree that him being the first guy she’d been with meant something?

Fuck yes. It hurt like hell, and even sixteen hours later, it still stung. But he’d hurt her too, in a much worse way, and knowing that her first experience with a dick - with his dick - had been terrible ate at him like acid.

So, here he was back at Emma’s and hoping like fuck she’d let him apologize and forgive him for what he did to her.

And give you a second chance.

He pushed that thought out of his head. He’d had his chance and blown it. He had to accept that he would only ever be friends with Emma.

It didn’t tear him up inside to know she’d eventually find another guy. Someone who didn’t act like a horny fifteen-year-old the first chance he got to fuck her. Someone who took his time and gave her multiple orgasms. Someone who touched and teased her perfect body until she lost her legendary control and begged him to fuck her.

Jesus Christ, can you shut the fuck up already?

His stomach roiled, and he was a weird combination of horny and angry. He wanted to be the man who made Emma lose control, who gave her orgasms until she was weak and sated in his arms.

Too fucking bad. It’s never gonna happen. You need to accept that you blew it and that she’ll date someone sooner or later. When that happens, you’ll suck it up and be a supportive friend.

He continued to stand on Emma’s front step with his knitting project in one hand. To his left, Emma’s neighbour was clearing off the jack-o-lanterns on his front porch. He nodded to Lucas. “Afternoon.”

“Hi,” Lucas said.

“Cold today,” the neighbour said, staring at the storm-grey sky above them. “Might even snow.”

“Maybe.” Lucas shuffled from foot to foot, still debating whether he should knock.

“You a friend of Emma’s?” The man leaned against the porch railing, studying Lucas with interest.

He bit back his snarky “obviously” and said, “I am.”

“She’s a good neighbour. Quiet, keeps to herself and keeps her yard tidy. Pretty girl with a nice body. Shame about her birthmark. Still, I might ask her out one of these days.”

“She’s gorgeous and way too good for you. Keep your fucking hands off of her,” Lucas snapped at him before raising his fist and knocking hard on Emma’s door.

The neighbour made a whatever gesture before going inside.

Nice. You’re doing a bang-up job in the supportive friend role.

He would be supportive. As long as the guy was worthy of dating Emma. If he wasn’t, well, Lucas wouldn’t hesitate to protect Emma.

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