Emerett Has Never Been in Love (Love Austen 1)

Knight smiled. “Interesting, isn’t it?”

Lake sighed. Yeah, it was.

Knight shifted and spoke at his ear, words stroking his lobe. “Are you okay?”

“Yep. Totally okay. I love that you have these conversations with others.”

“Me too.”

“You should make a habit of discussing these worldly conundrums.”

“I do.”

“And after you’ve had another fascinating conversation with Josh, you should tell me all about it, so I can share in the delight.”

“I like your newfound interest.”

“You can talk to him every day about economics and morals, and I promise I’ll encourage you. So when you go to bed and reflect on the most memorable parts of the day, maybe you’ll think of me too, and how much I want you having these fascinating conversations.”

Knight hummed thoughtfully and then gestured toward Josh and West. “They’re beckoning us over.”

Josh sat smiling quietly on the windowsill, and West waved to join them.

Despite West’s charmingly crooked grin, Lake’s gaze stuck to Knight the entire way.

The next morning, Lake regretted the inferiority of his stargazing. After cake, the entire party had walked to Taylor’s to use his telescope and check out the night sky. Halfway into the impromptu starry party, Lake began grieving his laziness and wishing he’d paid more attention when his dad had tried to teach him all the constellations.

Quite the fool he was.

So intent on being interesting, he’d elaborated a few things.

Who knew Josh would be an expert in this area as well? His gently humored way of correcting Lake’s misinformation had Lake’s stomach in painful, mortified knots.

Lake groaned, and thumped his head against the overhead cupboards.

At least he could follow a recipe for banana muffins. The delicious scent wafted from the oven and hopefully lured Knight downstairs. And then what? Convince Knight he had good qualities? Weasel out information on whether Knight had sent that cake?

Fuuuuck.

Footsteps came down the hall and Lake whisked around to—

Harry flopped into a chair at the dining table. “Such an interesting night last night.” Harry’s smile wobbled. “I wish I knew as much about stars as you and Josh do.”

Lake groaned. “Don’t compare us, Harry. I know the equivalent of one solar system to his galactic knowledge.”

“You explained it better, though. I preferred your fun facts to Josh’s rote statistics.”

“Fun facts that were mostly discredited. You’re being nice, but Josh really knew his stars.”

“Well I enjoyed your enthusiasm, and I overheard West saying the fun-fact part was his favorite.”

“He probably meant watching me get taken down a peg.”

Harry tried protesting again, but Lake cut him off, slinging himself into the chair beside him. “What’s the matter? Are you on the verge of bawling?”

Harry set his phone on the table, taking a long, shaky breath. “I was stupid. On the way to bed last night, I texted Martin. Just to see how he was.” He swatted his eyes. “Turns out he was on a date.”

Oh. “I’m so sorry, Harry.”

Harry nodded, eyes watering. “Ugh, this is stupid. It was completely over. It is. It’s something to get used to.”

“The more I try to understand love, the less I seem to know. It’s a big knife playing Operation with your heart.”

“Can we, I don’t know, get out of here for the morning?”

Lake turned off the oven—muffins looked done—and grabbed his keys. Harry needed a distraction, and Lake could enjoy some distraction too. “Let’s go.”

“How about instead of coffee at Tranquil we go to Cody’s?” Lake asked Harry, aiming for the artisan bakery tucked between a barber shop and a violin restoration store.

Exquisite baked goods greeted them in colorful rows, and the richness of melted chocolate filled Lake’s nose.

Lake grinned at the cute Maori guy behind the counter. “It must be frustrating for customers.”

The baker—presumably Cody?—snapped his head up. “Hmm? Frustrating?”

“There are so many amazing cakes here, how does anyone ever choose?”

Cody grinned, two big dimples popping his cheeks. “Can I get you something?”

“Two coffees.” Lake drummed his fingers over the wooden counter. “Also, I was wondering about that impressive three-tiered cake you delivered yesterday.”

“I delivered more than one impressive three-tiered cake.”

“The one with the two male figures embracing on the top.”

“Ah. Good, wasn’t it?”

Truth. “Best thing I’ve tasted. Tell me, do you know who sent it?”

“Couldn’t tell you if I did.”

“It was a guy right? Was his voice like warm honeyed whiskey? Did he sound pretentious? Like he might always be right?”

Cody smiled and shook his head in amusement. “Sorry, can’t say.”

Lake grumbled but paid for their drinks and let Cody get back to work. “Let’s find a seat—”

Lake almost dropped his coffee. Seated at the window was none other than Josh.

Josh watched Lake and Harry with a half-smile. Possibly a grimace.

Slipping into some glee, Lake joined Josh at his table. “We didn’t see you there.”

Harry sat next to Lake on the grainy oak bench.

Josh pinned him with a knowing look. “Have fun bugging the baker for details about my surprise cake?”