I think Emma fits nicely into the classic damsel in distress trope.
There's a stalker after her, and she needs protection, needs help . . . She already has protection, and that has led to some romantic tension.
But probably something more dramatic needs to happen to push the romance forward, and to make the romance acceptable to her mother.
Emma has already been in several damsel in distress moments where she has been rescued.
So I think we can expect another big one.
For example, the stalker captures Emma, kidnaps her, ties her up, beats her, the same kind of thing that once happened to her mother but no rape, and after quite a bit of drama and danger, the MC rescues her, and she's still a virgin.
Saving her leads to romance and acceptance of their romance by all.
I don't think it should be too difficult to develop a romance with her. It's a classic plot line.