Page 88 of Beautiful Harmony

“Nope,” Rayna said. “Lucas might be used to being gossiped about more than you think.”

Emma petted the sleeping cat on her lap. “Maybe, but it isn’t the same, you know? The type of gossip about us would be awful. Eventually, he’d get tired of people looking at him like he’s some kind of freak for dating the town freak, and -”

“Stop it,” Rayna said sharply. “You know I hate it when you call yourself that.”

“Sorry,” Emma said. “My point is, a few people gossiping about how many women he sleeps with is way different than an entire town wondering why someone as good looking as him is dating me. Hell, he’ll have people outright asking him why. Any guy who dated me would have to put up with the stares, comments, and rudeness, and I won’t do that to Lucas. I care too much about him to subject him to that.”

“You mean you love him too much,” Rayna said.

“Of course I love Lucas. He’s one of my best friends,” Emma said.

“Don’t play dumb, Em. You’re in love with him and have been for a while now.”

“I barely know him,” Emma said. “We’ve been friends for a few months and having sex for a week. That isn’t long enough to fall in love with someone.”

“Sure it is,” Rayna said. “Love doesn’t have a time limit.”

Emma sighed and stared at the sleeping cat. “I can’t be in love with him, Rayna. There’s no future for us together.”

“Why not?” Rayna gave her a gentle look.

Emma petted the sleeping cat. “Because people who look like me don’t get a happy ending.”

* * *

“Lucas, this looks great.”Emma studied the knitting he’d handed to her.

“It’s a lot better, right?” Lucas’s grin was adorable. “I’ve been working on it for at least half an hour every night.”

“It’s fantastic,” Emma said. “You haven’t dropped any stitches, and your tension is perfect.”

She returned Lucas’s knitting to him before sipping at her iced tea. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you,” he said. “Sorry I missed last night’s learn to knit class.”

“One, you had to work late again, and two, you know how to knit, so technically, you don’t need to attend the class anymore. You are welcome to join the knit social every other Thursday night,” she said. “The ladies would love that, and I’m sure their giggling and googly eyes wouldn’t be at all distracting.”

He laughed. “I can’t help it if the ladies love my charming personality, Emma.”

“That’s not all they love.” She let her gaze drift over his upper body.

“Um, I would appreciate it if you stopped staring at me like I’m nothing more than a delicious meal you want to devour, Ms. Richardson,” Lucas said.

“More like a lollipop that I really want to suck,” she said.

She couldn’t help but laugh when Lucas’s mouth dropped open in genuine surprise. “Oh my God, did you just make an oral sex joke?”

“Of course not,” she said primly before setting her napkin on the table. “I just really like candy and sucking.”

He laughed so hard the booth shook, and a couple sitting at a table a few feet from their booth glanced over.

As Lucas drank some water, Emma glanced around the diner. For a Wednesday, it was surprisingly busy at Nan’s tonight. All the booths were full, and there were only a few empty tables.

“Do you have to go back to the office after dinner?” Emma asked.

“Nope,” Lucas said. He lowered his voice. “I was hoping you’d come back to my place after dinner.”

“Will there be candy?” she asked.

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