Page 24 of Reckless Harmony

“Isn’t he?” Emma grinned at her. “Total sweetheart, as well. You think you might bid on him at the auction?”

“No,” Rayna said.

“Why not?” Emma asked.

Rayna just shrugged. “I’m broke and have no money to bid, and I’m busy with house renovations and the rescue. No time for a relationship.”

“Or you’re not interested because you want to bang Isaac Stark.”

Rayna glared at her. “That was told to you with the expectation of it being a secret, Emma.”

Emma looked around the kitchen, her gaze landing on Bea, who had headed back to her bed in the corner and Molly, who was sitting on top of Bea and kneading the beagle’s back with her claws while she purred away. “You think Bea or Molly are going to say something? Hey, where are those cute but yappy Chihuahuas you had running around here?”

“Diane is fostering them,” Rayna said. “She picked them up last night.”

“So, are you not interested in James because of Stark?” Emma asked.

Rayna shook her head. “It has nothing to do with him. And I hate that I’m attracted to Stark. Hate it.”

“I know,” Emma said sympathetically.

“He’s trying to bully me out of my own home, and all I can think about is how much I want his dick in my cooch,” Rayna said with a sigh. “I’m so mad at myself.”

“He’s hot, smart, and talented,” Emma said. “I get it.”

“He’s also a rich asshole who thinks he’s better than everyone else in this town. I don’t even get why he’s living here. You just know he has some mansion in New Cassel. Why did he move here?”

“I don’t know,” Emma said. “Lucas has worked with Stark for years but knows barely anything about him. Stark isn’t much for sharing personal stuff. Lucas knows he spent time here as a child with his grandparents, but that’s all. Oh, and it’s a penthouse.”

“What?” Rayna asked.

“Stark has a penthouse in New Cassel, not a mansion. Lucas has been to it - says it’s huge and has an incredible view of the city.”

“Of course it does,” Rayna said, rolling her eyes.

“Speaking of Lucas.” Emma checked her phone. “He’s on his way home from his parents, and I told him I’d be at home waiting for him.”

“Dressed in slutty lingerie and ready to rock his world?” Rayna asked.

A red flush flooded Emma’s cheeks. “Maybe.”

Rayna grinned at her. “You know how happy I am for you, right, Emmy? Lucas is so lucky to have you as his girlfriend.”

“He really is,” Emma said with a cheeky laugh as she closed the notebook and grabbed her stuff. “Seriously, though, I know Lucas and I haven’t been dating that long, but I love him so much, Rayna. I’m going to marry that boy.”

“Pfft, tell me something I don’t know,” Rayna said.

Emma cupped her shoulders and said, “Listen, I know you’re super stressed about the upcoming fundraiser, but we still have nearly two weeks to iron out all the kinks and issues. It’ll be great, sweetie.”

“Okay, thanks, Emma.” She followed Emma to the front door and opened it as Emma slid her jacket and boots on. “Shit!”

“What’s wrong?” Emma peered around her. “Oh no.”

Rayna stepped onto the front porch and studied the cardboard box sitting near the door, then squatted and carefully opened it. With Emma hovering over her shoulder, she parted the blanket and stared with dismay at the three tiny kittens curled up together.

“They’re so little,” Emma said.

Rayna sighed and picked up the box, carrying it into the kitchen. She touched the kittens, relieved when they meowed and squirmed, and their little bodies were still relatively warm.

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