Page 8 of Beautiful Harmony

You’re so fucking gone for this girl, buddy.

He ignored his inner voice. He wasn’t. He was just into her so much because she was the first woman he couldn’t charm his way into her bed. It was the thrill of the chase, nothing more.

CHAPTER3

“Ibrought the cookies.” Mrs. Walters shoved a plastic container into Emma’s hands.

“Thank you, Mrs. Walters,” Emma said as Cora made a sound of surprise.

“Mrs. Walters, tonight is the learn to knit group, not the knitting social,” Cora said.

“I know that.” Mrs. Walters scowled at the pretty brunette. “Emma said it was fine if I joined.”

“It is,” Emma said quickly as the bell over the front door jingled. “We’re happy to have you here.”

“Lucas, hi!” Cora’s voice did that thing it did whenever she found someone attractive. “You made it!”

Emma’s stomach did a weird clenchy thing that she didn’t like at all. Were Lucas and Cora going on a date or something? Cora had said she would stay to help tonight, but it wasn’t a requirement of her job or anything. She’d been into Lucas for months, so she'd drop everything if Lucas asked her out.

“I did,” Lucas said with a grin as he joined them. “Hey, Emma.”

“Hi, Lucas.” She automatically shifted a little so her left side wasn’t so prominently displayed. Already her fingers itched to take out her ponytail and use her hair to hide at least a portion of her birthmark. She hated to admit this weakness, but she always tried hard to have her hair down whenever she thought she might see Lucas.

Pointless, Emma. He knows you have a birthmark even if your hair hides some of it.

Sheknewit was pointless and hated that she’d been reduced to the behaviour she’d thought she’d left behind years ago, but the urge was still there no matter how hard she tried to deny it.

“Do you and Cora have plans tonight?” she asked.

Shit, did she sound weird? She sounded weird.

“Cora didn’t tell you? I’m here for the learn to knit group,” Lucas said.

“I forgot to tell you,” Cora said. “Lucas came in last Friday while you were at the bank, and I signed him up and helped him get the supplies he needed.”

“She did.” Lucas held up a plastic bag with two knitting needles sticking out of the opening.

“You want to learn to knit?” Emma stared at him.

Lucas nodded as Cora giggled and rested her hand on his upper arm. “I’m so excited for you, Lucas.”

“You one of them gay fellas?” Mrs. Walters poked Lucas in his other arm.

Emma groaned inwardly as Cora gasped. “Mrs. Walters!”

“Not gay, gorgeous,” Lucas said to her with a flirty grin. “Just have a love for the fibre arts.”

“Right.” Mrs. Walters studied him. “You’re a good looking guy, huh? Got a nice body too. I bet the ladies go crazy for you. You get a lot of ass, do you?”

“Oh my God,” Cora said.

“Mrs. Walters, are you flirting with me?” Lucas asked, his grin widening.

“Is it working?” Mrs. Walters asked. “Because Arthur and me got what we call an open marriage.”

Cora’s mouth dropped open, and Emma could barely hold in her laughter. Lucas gave Mrs. Walters another grin. “Mrs. Walters, you’re going to corrupt me.”

“Ayuh,” Mrs. Walters said with a roll of her eyes before turning to Emma. “My legs are starting to ache. We gonna stand here all day, or you got a spot where a person can sit?”

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