Page 38 of Beautiful Harmony

“I’m an ass man, myself,” Nathan said. His gaze flickered to Harper. “It’s a damn shame Harper’s hot dog costume hides her ass because it’s fucking spectacular.”

“Go on, Lucas. Fix your relationship with Emma so we don’t have to stare at your depressed as fuck face anymore,” Connor said.

“It’s a friendship, not a relationship,” Lucas said.

Connor just shrugged and, with a deep breath to center his racing nerves, Lucas headed after Emma.

* * *

“You know,I had a horse once with a mark, and I used this horse cream that got rid of it. I can give you the name. It might work for your birthmark.”

Emma kept the smile on with grim determination as Vicki, the daughter of a rancher outside of town, gave her an earnest look. She wore equestrian gear and held a leather crop in one hand that she patted absentmindedly against her thigh.

“Thanks, Vicki, I appreciate the offer, but -”

“Oh sure, of course,” Vicki said. “I can’t remember the name off the top of my head, but I’ll email it to you when I get home.”

It’s just a mark.

“Sure, okay,” Emma said. She liked Vicki. She was a genuinely sweet woman who meant well and whose mother was a frequent shopper at Emma’s store. But Emma had spent a lifetime being advised on creams, powders, and homemade recipes that would be sure to rid her of her birthmark, and she was over it.

“We talking birthmark removal?” Another woman joined them. She wore a Wednesday Addams costume, complete with a black wig in two pigtails, sultry makeup, and a black dress that was obscenely short but showed off the woman’s long legs to perfection. Emma had no idea who she was, but Vicki nodded.

“We are, Patricia. I’ve got a horse cream that’ll probably do the trick.”

Patricia tugged at one braid, her gaze running over Emma’s face. “I heard that Vitamin E gets rid of a port wine birthmark. Have you tried Vitamin E?”

“It doesn’t work,” Emma said.

It’s just a mark.

“It has to be straight from a capsule,” Patricia said. “You can’t get a cream with Vitamin E in it.”

“It still doesn’t work,” Emma said.

A third woman joined them. She wore a skeleton costume that clung to her curves and accentuated her hips and breasts. “Hey, ladies!”

“Hi, Hae-Won,” Emma said. She had gone to school with Hae-Won, and while the curvy hairstylist hadn’t been her friend, she at least hadn’t tormented her like so many other girls had.

“Oh my God, Emma!” Hae-Won’s mouth dropped open as she studied her face. “You look so good tonight. Your face looks norm… looks awesome.”

Emma’s smile stayed on tight like a bolt rusted over. “Thanks. I like your costume.”

“Thanks. Is that just makeup covering your birthmark?”

“It is,” Emma said. Her stomach twisted when Hae-Won’s best friend walked over. The Black woman looked stunning in a green velvet medieval dress that accentuated her gleaming skin and showed off her generous breasts.

“Teresa, look at Emma!” Hae-Won said.

“Wow,” Teresa said, her gaze skimming over Emma’s face. “Is it makeup hiding your birthmark, or did you have it removed?”

“Makeup,” Emma said.

“You should wear it every day,” Hae-Won said. “It completely transforms your face.”

It’s just a mark.

Emma’s smile started to slip. She hated that it was, but the women’s comments, as well-meaning as they were, plus her shock at seeing Lucas and the awkwardness still between them, was too fucking much. She needed to get the fuck out of here and go home.

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