Morgan took the few moments of solitude to ground herself. This shouldn’t be this hard. She barely knew Emilia. Yes, she was attractive. Her eyes followed the curve of Emilia’s waist as she took a seat by Lillian and the Watsons. Scratch attractive. Emilia was hot. Breathtakingly, inescapably, hot. She’d worn just enough makeup tonight to highlight her long lashes and the red of her lips, as if Morgan hadn’t already noticed those qualities. As if she hadn’t thought about how Emilia’s long hair would feel running through her fingers, or how the smooth skin—

“Shit.” She jumped as she burned her hand on the grill. Pain seared, and the first layer of epidermis turned a perfect medium-rare.

“Morgan?” Lillian was at her side in an instant, grabbing Morgan’s hand to inspect the damage. “Inside. Now.”

She towed Morgan behind her and shut the door, then turned the cold water on in the sink. At least the calluses on her palms had spared her from serious damage. She tried unsuccessfully to wriggle out of Lillian’s grip.

“It’s just a burn.”

“Your hands are your livelihood, moron. Shut up and do as I say.”

The cold water soothed the worst of the sting. She had placed her palm on the grate, and red lines rose across it where her skin had come in direct contact with the scorching metal.

“What were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t, clearly.”

“I’ve got some burn cream upstairs. You’re normally the one I can trust not to hurt yourself, you know.”

“Sorry, Mrs. Lee.”

“Do not call me that, or you will wish a burn was your biggest problem. I am not either of my mothers.”

Morgan raised her unburnt hand in surrender.

“I like Emilia, by the way,” Lillian continued. If she’d made the logical leap between Morgan’s uncharacteristic distractedness and Emilia’s presence, she was merciful enough not to point it out.

“It’s been nice having a friend at the dock.”

“You don’t need a new friend.”

Morgan focused on the feel of cold water on her burnt skin. “But she does.”

“Not if the way she looks at you means anything.”

“Lil, please. She’s got a lot going on right now, and I don’t think she’s going to stick around for long. I can’t do that.”

Lillian slumped. “I know you can’t. I’ll tell Stevie to lay off you. It’s just nice seeing you happier.”

“Trust me,” Morgan said, grimacing as she examined her hand. “I know. That’s why I know I can’t do it.”

Happiness lied. It hid things, painting the world with a brightness that concealed the cracks in the foundation. In her foundation.

“Not even a fling? Maybe something with an expiration date would be good for you.”

“Didn’t you try that with Monique?”

Lillian winced. “I forgot about that.”

“And you haven’t dated women since.”

“That’s a little different. I’m bi. You’re the biggest homo I know.”

“Just don’t push me on this one, okay?” She hated the vulnerability in her voice. Hated the naked need beneath the words.