Emerett Has Never Been in Love (Love Austen 1)

Air fizzled out of Lake. “Shit. Are you okay? Should I call an ambulance? Prepare your death bed?”

That earned him a glare and a pinched shoulder-squeeze before Knight released him. “I’ll be fine. Probably should put something on it.”

Lake retreated, blowing him a kiss. “Call if you need anything.”

He dropped back into the cool pool next to Harry, who was fanning himself. Taylor looked at him, yawning. “Dad okay?”

“Just a little sting. All good.”

“What were you chatting about before the bee?” Cameron asked, because he was Cameron. “Seemed pretty hush-hush.”

Lake floundered, spewing the first thought that popped into his head. “I can’t tell you, it’s a surprise.”

Cameron looked startled, albeit thrilled. When he left to refill his iced tea, Taylor swam across to Lake. God, now he and Knight had to concoct a surprise.

“You and dad are surprising Cameron?”

Let’s go with that. “Uh huh.”

“What are you teaming up to surprise him about?”

“On, um . . . for getting the rights to make the Ask Austen program for his channel. He didn’t tell you? Ask him, I’m sure he’ll keep you entertained all afternoon. But yeah, we’re throwing him and his whole . . . team a party. Ask-Austen themed. Next weekend. Still working out the invitations, though.”

“Ask-Austen themed?”

Lake nodded with a stiff smile. “Everyone will be sent a contemporary dilemma and at the party, we have to match everyone’s dilemma to a piece of Austen advice.”

“Amy will love it.”

“Um, yeah. I mean, it’ll be fun. But let’s keep it on the down low. First I want to enjoy your barbecue tomorrow. There’ll be karaoke.”

Taylor hissed. “Thank you for the heads up. I’ll bring ear plugs.”

Despite Lake’s worries, having Taylor back was easy. They found their groove and the afternoon raced by, followed by the evening.

Lake tried not to look in Knight’s direction when he arrived with takeout. And, even though he’d done it a thousand times in front of Taylor, he didn’t swap his Malai Kofta for Knight’s Tandoori Chicken.

They spent the hour after dinner in Taylor and Amy’s darkened living room, looking at pictures projected onto the wall and hearing amazing stories of misadventure.

All too soon, the lights came on again. Lake felt Knight’s eyes on him.

Did Lake have to undrape himself from the couch and leave the happy couple to themselves? Was that really necessary?

On the smaller sofa, arm curled around Amy, Taylor laughed. “I know that look, Dad.” He glanced at Lake. “It’s time to leave.”

Knight said, “It is getting late, and you both . . . well.”

Was Knight blushing faintly at the thought of his son being intimate?

Lake smirked. “Probably a good idea to leave the love birds.”

Knight threw him a cautionary look.

It probably didn’t say much about the graciousness of his character that Lake was laughing inside. Laughing, and itching to make Knight squirm. “Staying longer would be encroaching—”

Knight strode over and pulled Lake to his feet with startling ease. Lake laughed. “Hey.”

“We’ll see you at the barbecue tomorrow,” Knight said pleasantly to Taylor and Amy.

“Sure thing, Dad.”

Knight ushered Lake out of the house, and Lake tossed a goodbye over his shoulder.

Outside, in the fresh early-summer breeze, Knight softly clapped the back of Lake’s head. “Really, Lake?”

“Hey, I didn’t do anything.”

Another chastising look. “That’s my son.”

“And adult, married sons don’t get intimate?”

“No—Yes. I’d just prefer not to make a thing of it. Bedroom affairs are private.”

“Bedroom affairs. I’m still shocked you didn’t call it your manhood or member. And, holy shit, now I’m wondering if you’re prudish in bed. If you’ve ever had one night stands, or if you only have sex after forging a deeper connection—and I’m gonna run home now.”

Lake started to hoof it and Knight snagged his shirt, holding him back. “Are you asking if I have sex just for the sake of it?” Lake looked at him, which took a little more courage than normal. “I prefer to know—and actually like—a guy, but occasionally release is the ultimate goal.”

The walk back was quiet, but Lake couldn’t shake the restlessness that itched under his skin. Instead of heading to bed, Knight stole into the backyard to water the garden.

Lake resisted the urge to follow and found Harry in the living room, kneeling on the hearth, ripping paper out of a diary and throwing it into the fireplace.

“What are you doing?” Lake perched on the arm of the upholstered chair beside him.

“Purging myself of old, unrequited feelings.”

Lake sighed guiltily. This thing with Philip had affected Harry more than he thought. “I’m not sure the fireplace actually works.”

Harry slumped onto his heels. “Right.”

“Do you want to, er, chat about it?”

Harry shook his head, miserable. “I’ll just binge-watch Netflix.”

Lake had no interest in Harry’s selection. Though he did stay, for half an hour. When another wildlife documentary started, Lake exaggerated a yawn and wished him good night.