Page 94 of Beautiful Harmony

He hesitated, and his mother gave him a look he remembered well from childhood.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

“Good.” Helen set the knitting aid on the couch and stood. “Now, I need more butter and a package of buns. Lucas, please take Emma and run to the store for me.”

“Oh, um, I can do that myself,” Emma said quickly.

Lucas stared at her, and Emma looked away, the guilt clear on her face. She was making a run for it. She’d never return with the butter or the buns.

“Lucas,” his mother said pointedly.

“We won’t be long,” he said.

His mother smiled with satisfaction. “Good. Drive safe.”

* * *

The awkward silenceon the ten-minute drive to the grocery store was excruciating. Lucas parked and shut off the car. He wanted to still be angry at Emma, but he kept seeing the look on his mother’s face and the absolute joy in her eyes over the knitting aid. Emma had done that. Right or wrong, his hurt with her had been washed away by her kindness toward his mom.

Maybe she ordered it for your mom because she knew it would get her back in your good graces.

He scoffed at that idea. That wasn’t who Emma was.

Still, he couldn’t help but ask. “When did you order that knitting aid for my mom?”

Emma glanced at him before staring out the windshield. “A couple of weeks ago. Shipping was delayed, so it took longer than I thought it would. Why?”

“Just wondering,” he said.

Her gaze slid to his for a few seconds. “I didn’t get the knitting aid for your mom in hopes you’d like me again.”

Christ, he should have known she’d see right through him.

“I still like you,” he said.

Bitterness tinged her laugh. “You shouldn’t. I was awful to you on Wednesday night, and I’ve never been more ashamed of my behaviour.”

“I probably shouldn’t have -”

“Don’t,” she said. “Don’t suggest any of it was your fault or that you were in the wrong because you weren’t. I overreacted because of childhood trauma and took it out on you. I was wrong, and I should never have done that, and I am deeply sorry, Lucas. Truly I am. I hope you can forgive me for it, but I’ll understand if you can’t.”

“I can,” he said. “I’m sorry for ignoring you for the last few days.”

“I get it,” she said. “I push people away when I’m upset too.”

“It’s childish behaviour,” he said, “but I’m working on it.”

“Me too,” she said with a small smile. “Although, some might say it’s healthy to walk away and cool down, right?”

“Right,” he said.

Her smile faded, and she reached for his hand before hesitating and clasping her hands in a knot in her lap instead. “I want you to know that I don’t think you’re a man blinded by a pretty face. I’m sorry I made you feel that way. I know who you are - a good man who is kind and thoughtful and generous to everyone. I reacted and behaved the way I did because I was jealous. It’s not an excuse, but I’m hoping it gives you an insight into my head space at the time and why I would behave so horribly.”

“What were you jealous of?” he asked in genuine confusion.

“Phoebe,” she said. “She kept touching you and acting like the two of you were on a date, and I was some pathetic third wheel that you’d taken pity on. And then I kept thinking about how that’s exactly what it looked like to others in the diner, and it upset me.”

“One, I would never be with Phoebe. Her body type is not to my taste, and even if I still didn’t know what a horrible person she was, the chick constantly humble brags,” Lucas said. “It’s annoying as hell. And two…”

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