Page 17 of Beautiful Harmony

“Thanks, Em,” Rayna said. “Hey, why are you here? It’s Wednesday. You have dinner at the diner with Lucas on Wednesday nights.”

“He was stuck at work and had to cancel. They’re working on the new Shadow series game, and I guess it’s a bit of a nightmare.”

“Ah,” Rayna said.

“He came to my learn to knit class last night.”

Rayna stared at her. “Lucas did?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know,” Emma said.

Rayna grinned at her. “Pretty sure he was hoping you’d let your amazing boobs brush against him while you taught him to knit.”

“Ha, ha,” Emma said. “I didn’t even help him. Cora did. She’s into him.”

“Is he into her?”

Emma shrugged. “Probably. She’s gorgeous and sweet. But you know Lucas. He flirts with everyone, so it’s hard to tell when he does like someone.”

“Fair.” Rayna studied Emma. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“I saw a different side of Lucas last night,” Emma said.

Rayna arched one red and puffy eyebrow at her. “Do tell.”

Ten minutes later, Rayna sat back in her chair. “Jesus, Mrs. Walters’s grandson is an asshole.”

“Tell me about it,” Emma said. “She’s not the nicest person in Harmony Falls or anything, but she at least generally means well. I can’t believe she thinks her grandson is a good person.”

“People have blinders on when it comes to their loved ones,” Rayna said. “So, you liked alpha Lucas, huh?”

“Why do you say that?” Emma tried to play it cool.

“Because I saw the look on your face,” Rayna said. “It was your ‘come fuck me right now, Lucas Wright’ face.”

“That is not a face I make, Rayna,” Emma said, her cheeks turning hot.

“You’ve made that face at least twice before,” Rayna said.

“We’re just friends,” Emma said.

Rayna leaned forward. “Are you sure that Lucas isn’t into you, Emma? Because if he is, I don’t see why you shouldn’t sleep with him. Even before you told me about last night, he seemed like a good guy.”

“I’m sure,” Emma said. “And even if he was, I couldn’t sleep with him.”

“Why not?”

“Because someone would find out, they always do and then….”

“Then what?” Rayna asked.

“Then everyone in this fucking town would think Lucas had thrown me a pity fuck, and honestly, they’d probably be right.”

“Emma -”

---