face go totally blank.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Well, I always thought, when I grew up, when you saw me as a woman."
She stood up, spreading her arms out, then down her sides. "I'd come to
visit you here, fix you a meal by candlelight, put on the music, then
seduce you." She pulled a chain from under her blouse. On it hung a
little plastic ring with a gaudy red stone. "I always thought you'd b.e
my first."
Speechless, he stared at the ring, then looked up and into her eyes.
There was love there, the kind that lasted lifetimes. And there was
understanding without blame. Stepping forward, he took her hands. His
voice was thick when he found it. "Very rarely have I regretted being
gay." He brought her hands to his lips to kiss them. "This is one of
those very rare times."
"I love you, Johnno."
He held her against him. "I love you, Emma. God knows why, since
you're such an ugly bitch." When she laughed, he drew her back for a
kiss. "Come on then, not only is Luke good to look at, but he's a hell
of a cook."
EmmA AWOKE URLY and followed the scent of coffee and the muted sounds of
the television to the kitchen. It wasn't jet lag she felt now, but the
restless disorientation of waking up in a strange bed after only
snatches of sleep. There was an awkward moment as she stood in the
kitchen doorway watching Luke butter toast across from the television
set where David Hartman interviewed Harrison Ford.
She'd almost been able to relax around Luke the night before as they'd
all eaten soup and hot sandwiches in the kitchen.
He was well mannered, witty, intelligent, and mouthwateringly
attractive. And gay. So was Johnno, Emma reminded herself and tried a
smile.
"Good morning."
Luke turned. He looked different this morning with his hair styled, his
face shaven. He wore gray pleated slacks and a trim blue shirt set off
with a thin tie of a darker shade. He looked alert and hiply
professional. The upwardly mobile young executive, she thought, and
such a complete contrast to Johnno.
"Hi. Didn't think you'd surface till this afternoon. Coffee?"
"Thanks. I couldn't sleep. Marianne and I are going apartment hunting
this afternoon. And I guess I'm worried about how my father reacted
when Johnno called him."
"Johnno's very persuasive." He slid the coffee in front of her. "Why
don't I put you out of your misery? Toast?"
"No." She pressed a hand to her stomach. "Do you know what happened?"
"They argued, a lot." Luke checked his watch, then sat beside her.
"Johnno called him a few names I'm not sure he'd like me to repeat to
you."
She dropped her head into her cupped hands. "Terrific."
"He also vowed, and I think a blood oath was mentioned, to keep an eye
on you."
"Bless him."