Page 93 of Beautiful Harmony

Oh, hell, no. She’d rather cry in front of her.

“Would you like a cup of tea?” Helen asked.

“Yes, please,” Emma said as Greta wandered into the hallway, her tail wagging and her long ears dragging on the floor.

Emma bent and petted her, smiling when Greta licked her hand enthusiastically.

“Why don’t you go into the living room and relax while I start the tea? Lucas’s dad is out with a friend, so we have the house to ourselves this afternoon. I’ve been looking forward to this since you called me yesterday morning.” Helen gently patted her arm before lightly pushing her toward the living room.

CHAPTER24

Lucas parked in his parents’ driveway and shut off the car. He leaned his head against the headrest for only a few seconds before climbing out of the vehicle. Since his fight with Emma, he hadn’t allowed himself more than a few minutes of quietness. If he stopped moving, thinking, doing, all that was left were thoughts of Emma and how upset he was with her while simultaneously missing her so fucking much he could barely breathe.

The hurt was still there, popping up to stab him in the heart whenever he stopped to take even a single breath, which is why he’d spent all his time working, at the gym, or with friends. Drowning out his inner thoughts was the only way he could function.

He’d assumed he’d spend today the same way, but the bugs in the game development had finally worked their way out, and he had no reason to work overtime. His texts to Connor, Nathan, and Nix about hanging out today hadn’t worked out either. None of them were free. He’d gone to the gym this morning, working out until his body wanted to drop from exhaustion, and then gone home. Despite how tired he was and how shitty he’d been sleeping for the last few days, he couldn’t nap. His fight with Emma ran on a loop in his head whenever he closed his eyes.

He’d tried gaming, but the one thing guaranteed to bring him joy had lost its lustre. So, here he was, at his parents’ house like a sad little kid, hoping his mom and dad would cheer him up.

He climbed out of the car and walked up the driveway. He slipped into the house, shutting the door behind him. He hung his jacket on the coat rack, staring at the coat already there. It looked a fuck of a lot like Emma’s coat.

“Honey?” his mom called. “Come in here and see what Emma brought me.”

His stomach swirling with volumes of stomach acid, he walked down the hallway to the living room. He stepped into the room, and Emma made a soft sound of surprise. His mom looked up from the weird contraption that sat on her lap.

“Oh, Lucas, it’s you! I thought you were your father. Hi, sweetheart.”

He crossed the room, studiously ignoring Emma. “Hey, Mom.”

He bent and kissed his mother’s cheek. Greta, the little traitor, was a blissful log sitting on Emma’s feet, and she didn’t even look at Lucas as Emma gently stroked her long ears.

He pointed to his mother’s lap. “What’s this? Are you knitting?”

His mother’s smile dimmed the sun. “I am! It’s called a knitting aid. Emma suggested it and ordered me one to try. It holds my knitting needles, so I don’t need to move my hands so much.”

Her excitement was infectious, and Lucas could feel a bit of his depression lifting. “That’s awesome, Mom.”

“Isn’t it? Look how much I’ve done already.” She showed him her knitting, her eyes sparkling. “I can’t wait for your father to get home so I can show him.”

His throat tight, Lucas smiled at his mom. “I’m thrilled it’s working for you.”

“Me too, and I have your Emma to thank for it.” Helen reached over and gently patted Emma’s forearm. “She’s given me back one of my biggest joys.”

Lucas glanced at Emma. She smiled at his mom, but her smile faded when she lifted her gaze to his. He hated seeing the guilt in her eyes.

An awkward silence filled the space. His mom studied them thoughtfully, and Lucas cleared his throat as Emma gently pushed Greta off her feet.

“I should get going. Thank you for the tea, Helen.” She stood and stepped over Greta, giving Lucas a small painful smile. “Bye, Lucas.”

“Bye, Emma,” he said.

She barely passed him before his mother said, “Emma, why don’t you stay for dinner? We’re having pot roast, and I make an amazing pot roast. Don’t I, Lucas?”

“Yes,” he said.

“I appreciate the invite but -”

“I won’t accept no for an answer,” his mother said. “We have more than enough, and I know Lucas would love for you to join us. Wouldn’t you, Lucas?”

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