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She shook her head. “I know it’s good.”
“Humor me so I won’t feel guilty when I ask to try your salmon.”
She did not want him to feed her, nor did she want to feed him. “But I...”
“Emily, please.”
Please. The word on his lips undid a knot holding her emotions back. She leaned forward and took the bite he offered.
The sweet yet tart flavor of the apples next to the tender duck had Emily sighing. The salmon was her favorite, but the duck dish ran a close second.
“That’s good.”
His gaze dropped to her plate.
“Oh, all right.” She forked a piece of the flaky pink meat and proffered her fork.
His gaze locked with hers, his mouth closed around her utensil, then he smiled. A real smile that reached his eyes and was full of pleasure.
Emily fought to keep her eyes open, hating the weakness surging through her. She didn’t want to respond. Not in any way, shape or form.
But sharing his food, sharing her food, had her gulping.
“Amazing,” he agreed, and she assumed he meant the food and not the starburst of feelings shooting through her. Why, oh, why couldn’t she be immune to this man? She should be immune. He’d hurt her so badly, he shouldn’t have any control over her feelings anymore. Not any.
“This was a really bad idea.” She hadn’t meant to make the admission out loud.
“Why?”
“You’re my enemy.”
“Your enemy?” He shook his head. “That’s not who I am, nor how I see you, Emily.”
“How do you see me, Lucas?”
* * *
Lucas studied the one woman he’d given his name to and who had held more power over him than any other. His wife. Ex-wife, he corrected.
“I see you as the most beautiful woman on the inside and out that I’ve ever met.”
She was. If only her sadness hadn’t taken over their relationship. If only he’d been able to understand and help her through whatever had changed within her. Him. He’d been what had changed her. No wonder she’d jumped at the chance to leave.
Emily’s eyes closed and she shook her head. “Don’t say things like that.”
“Things like what?”
“Things you shouldn’t say to me.”
“Why shouldn’t I tell you how beautiful you are?”
“Because you quit making me feel beautiful long ago.”
Her words stunned him, shocked him, but maybe they shouldn’t have. He and Emily had fallen apart. He regretted that he’d played any role in her not seeing the beauty so evident in everything about her. “I am sorry, Emily.”
“I don’t want your pity. It was a long time ago.”
“I don’t pity you. I pity myself at what I lost.” His admission shocked him almost as much as hers had. He did regret that he hadn’t been able to make Emily happy. When he looked across the table at her, saw the depth of emotion in her eyes, heard the sincerity in her voice when she spoke, he was filled with longings for her laughter, for her to smile at him the way she used to, before they’d married.
