“I’ll walk you out.”
Watching Emma in her element had been fun for Luke. He’d mostly stood by and had fun with the kids, who loved Boomer. And Boomer, as always, was great with all the kids.
It made him want to have a few of his own so Boomer would have kids to play with all the time.
But he wasn’t ready for that, and he didn’t know when—or if—he’d ever be ready.
Although watching Emma with all the kids today had been a revelation. Not only did she love animals, she also had a natural rapport with children, something his ex-wife had never had. The few times they’d been around kids, Becca had acted like children had some kind of communicable disease. She hadn’t wanted anything to do with them. He should have noticed it early on, but he’d been so lovestruck by her, he’d been blinded to many of the issues that should have been lightbulb moments for him.
“I’m sorry about that whole invitation thing to my parents’ house for dinner,” she said. “You don’t have to come.”
“It’s okay. I like your mom. And I’d love to come for dinner. Unless you don’t want me there.”
She cocked a brow. “Seriously?”
“Hey, I’m a single guy. Home-cooked meals are a treat.”
She shook her head. “You don’t know my mom. She’ll grill you. About us. I mean, I know there’s really no ‘us,’ but you know what I mean. She thinks there’s something going on between us.”
He laughed. “I understand. And I can take it.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Sunday dinner it is, then. I’ll call you with the details.”
He walked out, actually happy about the dinner. He hadn’t been lying about the home-cooked-meal thing, but he was surprised to find he wanted to be with Emma, to hang out with her family.
And it was just dinner. It didn’t mean they were a couple. He could compartmentalize Emma as a friend.
With benefits.
Or not.
Or something.
Hell if he knew what they were. And if he didn’t think about it, he didn’t have to name it, right?
Chapter 9
EMMA WAS RIDICULOUSLY nervous about having Luke over for dinner at her parents’ house. The last time she’d done this, she’d been a teenager. The boy had been Henry Mayer, a gawky, rail-thin type more interested in science and video games than Emma. She hadn’t realized it at the time, of course. But she’d had a serious crush on Henry’s blond hair, dark glasses, and serious eyes. They’d been lab partners in chemistry, had gone to see old movies at the discount theater together, and had a shared love of Mel Brooks films. Henry could be so funny when you got him alone.
He was a terrible kisser, but Emma had overlooked that for his other fine qualities. Ah, young love.
Her father had been sorely disappointed in Henry’s lack of enthusiasm about baseball. Her mother had talked his ear off, and poor, shy Henry couldn’t wait to get the hell out of there.
She expected much the same from Luke. She fully expected it to be a short evening, with Luke coming up with some excuse to flee.
She’d arrived an hour early to help her mother with dinner, which, of course, was totally unnecessary because her mother was an advance planner.
“Tonight your father is grilling steaks. I’m making asparagus and potatoes au gratin and a new salad recipe I’ve been dying to try out. Oh, and I made two pies for dessert.”
“Of course you did. And when did you find time for that?”
“Silly girl. I have Saturdays off to grocery shop and cook.”
“Mom, I can only hope to have your energy level when I’m your age.”
Her mother smiled. “I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
“Please do. Now, is there anything I can do to help?”
“You can open the wine.”
“That part I can handle.”
“So how are things with you and the hot cop?”
She knew it was going to come up—the grilling before Luke arrived. “He’s fine. I actually haven’t seen him this week. We’ve both been very busy.”
“Which means you have been seeing him. That’s great, Emma.”
Crap. Her mother was so crafty. She was going to have to get better at wording her answers. “We’ve hung out. I told you, we’re friends.”
Her mom paused and leaned against the counter. “Emma. I’m hardly old and blind, and I’m very adept at reading chemistry when I see it. You and Luke have loads of it.”
“I think you’d like me to be in a relationship.”
“You’re right. I would. You deserve to be happy.” Emma had no response to that, and fortunately, the doorbell rang. She went to answer it and smiled at Luke, who looked amazing in a navy blue button-down shirt and dress jeans.
“Wow, you look nice.”
“So do you. I like you in a dress.”
She felt ridiculously complimented, especially by the way he looked at her. “Thank you. Come on in.”
“Are you sure it’s okay that I brought Boomer?”
“My mother would be disappointed if you hadn’t. They have a huge yard and a dog, Pokey. And Daisy and Annie are out back with Pokey. Come on.”
He’d brought flowers. And wine. God, the man was such a gentleman.
“Oh, Luke, how are you?” Her mom had come into the living room.
“Mrs. Burnett. I’m great, thanks. These are for you.” Her mom took the flowers and wine, then kissed Luke on the cheek. “Thank you so much for these. Aren’t you just the sweetest man? And call me Georgia, please.”
“Okay, Georgia.”
“Emmett is out back with the dogs. Emma, show him the way while I put these flowers in a vase.”
She led him out back, where her dad was sitting in a chair on the shady porch while the dogs all frolicked in the oversized yard.
He stood when Luke came out with Boomer.
“Hi, Luke.”
“Mr. Burnett.”
“You can call me Emmett. It’s nice to have you here for dinner today. I don’t get male conversation at the dinner table all that often. Even when Emma comes over, it’s all girl talk, all the time.”
“Hey, Dad. I talk sports.”
“That’s true, sweetie. You do. I taught you well.”
Emma turned to Luke. “Can I get you something to drink? There’s beer, wine, or iced tea.”
“An iced tea sounds great.”
“I’ll have one, too, honey.”
“Sure. I’ll be right back.”
She went inside to fix the drinks. “How’s it going out there?”
“Just fine, Mom. Dad and Luke are deciding on what tuxes they’re going to wear for our wedding.”
“Very funny. Tell your dad I’m ready for him to start grilling the steaks. We’ll be ready to eat in about thirty minutes.”
She grabbed the iced teas. “Will do.”
She stepped outside with the tea.
“Dad, Mom’s ready for you to start grilling the steaks.”
“Okay.” He went inside.
“I like your dad,” Luke said.
“Thanks. Me, too.”
“This is a nice place. Have they lived here long?”
“My whole life. They remodeled several years ago. Dad said he’d buy mom a new house if she wanted something different, but she said this is home and always will be.”
“Yeah, I know what’s that like. There’s just something about home.”
She looked out over the backyard where she and Molly used to play as kids. There used to be a sandbox and a swing set, which were now long gone, but it was still the same place it had always been. “Yes. There’s nothing like knowing you have a place to call home, even if you don’t live there anymore.”
Her dad came out with the steaks.
“Can I help you with that, Emmett?”
“Nah. I got it. So as I was saying earlier about Kansas City . . .”