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. G.o.d knows why, since

you're such an ugly b.i.t.c.h." 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 h.e.l.l

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

s.n.a.t.c.hes of sleep. There was an awkward moment as she stood in the

kitchen doorway watching Luke b.u.t.ter 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."