“Werewolves?” I asked gently, seeing her discomfort. She nodded, and I gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s nothing for you to feel bad about. You and I are good though, right?”
Her face brightened. “Yes.”
“Good.” My chest warmed with pleasure, and I had a sudden urge to hug her – and not as a friend. My breath quickened when I remembered her soft body pressed against mine on the scooter a few days ago.
I left before I did something that ruined our new friendship. I liked Emma too much to get involved with her, knowing it couldn’t go anywhere. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us. Not that she’d want a werewolf anyway.
I sighed bitterly as I walked down the steps to my car. It figured that I’d finally start to fall for someone and I could never have her.
* * *
It was close to nine when I pulled into the parking lot by the lighthouse, and I sat in the car for a minute before I turned it off and got out. I wasn’t sure I should be around Emma so soon after admitting to myself that I wanted her as more than a friend. But she was expecting me to be here, and I wouldn’t let her down.
Pocketing my keys and phone, I scanned the crowd for Emma as I walked toward Dylan’s white van, which was blaring music through two large speakers. I didn’t spot Emma, but I’d seen her Vespa in the parking lot so I knew she was here somewhere.
“Roland! Wasn’t sure if you’d be here.” Dylan waved me over. “Haven’t seen you around much lately.”
I joined him near the van. There was no sign of his bandmates in the group of people with him, but I saw a lot of familiar faces.
“Been busy. Working at the lumberyard and Paul’s garage now.”
“I heard. Pete told me you finished the Mustang. You driving it tonight?”
I pulled out my keys and dangled them from my finger. “What do you think?”
His eyes lit with interest. “Let’s go. I want to see it.”
He and a few of the other guys followed me to the parking lot, where they spent a few minutes oohing and aahing over the Mustang. I answered all their questions and laughingly turned them down when some of them asked to take her for a spin.
“You want a beer?” Dylan asked when we went back to the van.
“Can’t. Driving.” I looked at the glow from a fire down on the beach. “I’m going to walk around and see who’s here.”
I spotted Pete as soon as I walked away from the van. He and Shannon were leaning against the lighthouse, making out. A year ago, that would have been me with one of the many girls I’d dated. I had a two-date rule when it came to girls, and I’d certainly made the most of my time with them. Just because I couldn’t get attached to them didn’t mean we both couldn’t have fun.
Leaving Pete and Shannon to their business, I continued to the edge of the bluff overlooking the beach. Below, a large fire blazed, surrounded by about a dozen people. I found Emma, sitting on a log with Scott, and my jaw clenched at seeing them together. I couldn’t have her, but I didn’t want her with him either. The fact that it was none of my business who she dated didn’t even enter into it.
I took the path to the beach and walked over to the fire. People I knew called out to me, and Emma smiled when she saw me.
“You made it.” She shifted closer to Scott and patted the log on her other side. “You want to sit with us?”
“Sure.” I took the offered seat and immediately regretted it when my arm brushed hers, sending heat through me. It probably wasn’t a good idea to sit so close to her, feeling as I did, but I stayed.
I looked at the guy on her other side. “Scott.”
“Roland.” He eyed me warily, no surprise considering our history.
Emma looked at me, and I smiled to let her know we were good.
“Did you get your work done on the Chevelle?” she asked me.
“Most of it. I’ll probably spend tomorrow at the garage.”
Scott’s eyes widened with interest. “You’re working on a Chevelle? Didn’t you just finish the Mustang?”
I nodded. “The Chevelle isn’t mine. It’s for a guy Paul knows in Portland. He’s paying us to restore it for him.”
“Sweet. What year?”
“Seventy.”
He let out a low whistle. “Bet she’ll be something when you’re done. That’s one job I’d take over working in the diner. No offense, Emma.”
“None taken.”
I don’t know if he or I was more shocked when I said, “Drop by the garage sometime to see what we’re doing with her.”
His smile was probably the first real one he’d ever given me. “I might do that. Thanks.”
Pete and Shannon chose that moment to join us. He gave me a questioning look when he saw me sitting with Scott, and then he introduced Shannon to Emma and Scott.
“Nice to meet you.” Shannon held out a hand, and I was glad to see Emma take it without hesitation. Did she think Shannon was human, or was she becoming more comfortable around us?
I stood. “Shannon, have a seat.”
She flashed me a grateful smile and sat beside Emma, who didn’t even flinch.
“Are you from here?” Emma asked her.
“My parents and I are visiting for a few weeks,” Shannon replied. “We’re staying out in the Knolls.”
Emma’s eyes met mine, and I saw the realization dawn in hers. I gave her a small nod, hoping she wouldn’t be spooked by being in the company of three werewolves. She looked a little tense for a moment before she relaxed again.
“Emma moved here a few weeks ago,” Pete told Shannon.
“Don’t you just love it here?” Shannon asked Emma. “I’m from Buxton, and I love coming to the ocean.”
A strong breeze off the water made the fire dance crazily and tossed the girls’ hair around.
Emma rubbed her arms. “I do love it, but I need to remember to bring a sweater with me next time.”
“I think I have one in my car,” Scott said. “I’ll get it for you.”
Before he could stand, I pulled off my light sweater and handed it to Emma. “Here.”
She took the sweater. “Won’t you be cold in just a T-shirt?”
“I’m pretty warm-blooded.” I gave her a secret smile.
She stood to put on the sweater, and it was impossible not to stare when she raised her arms over her head and her shirt rode up, flashing her bare stomach. Luckily, Pete poked me with his elbow to snap me out of it before she caught me ogling her.
“Better?” I asked her when she sat again.
“Much better.” She laughed softly. “Although, this is probably long enough for me to sleep in.”
The image of her in bed, wearing nothing but my sweater, flashed in my mind and sent heat straight to my belly.
Fuck. Don’t think about that. All I needed was to give her a full salute in front of everyone. Emma would probably never look at me again.
“I think I’ll go grab a Coke,” I said, deciding distance was the answer to my problem. “Emma, Shannon, you want one?”
Shannon held up a bottle of water. “I’m good, thanks.”
“I’ll have one,” Emma said. “Would you like me to go with you?”
“You stay here by the fire where it’s warm. I’ll be back soon.”
I fled before she could decide to come with me after all. It wasn’t until I was almost to Dylan’s van that Pete caught up with me.
“What’s up with you and Emma?”
“Nothing.”
He snorted. “You were staring at her like she’s something to eat. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you had the hots for her.”
I scowled at him. “She’s beautiful. Any guy would stare at her.”
“Yeah, but she’s also Sara’s cousin. You can’t mess around with her like you do with other human girls.”
“I know that,” I shot back. “Why do you think I left just now?”
He held up his hands. “Whoa. Don’t chew my head off.”
“Sorry, man.” I raked a hand through my hair. “I know Emma’s off-limits, and I’m not going to do anything to hurt her. We’re friends.”