Page 143 of The Chance

That makes me chuckle tightly.

“Look,” I say stiffly as I lean onto the counter, arms crossed. “Theonlyreason I’m telling you first and not him is because I don’t want to fuck with his recovery.” Ian’s brows remain pinched. “But I’m in love with him and I plan on being his boyfriend if he’ll have me.”

There. On the table. Could not be any fucking clearer.

Ian snorts and I hold my breath.

I don’t need the job. I definitely won’t accept any money from the Thompson’s because that just feels too weird.

But if I want to keep up with Mac? Be able to go places with him?

I don’t want a third wheel.

Nerves or not … I know that I have him.

Through and through.

Breakfast this morning just cemented it.

Peach kept him safe, and I’d trust the bodyguard with my life in his hands all over again if I needed him to cover Mac when he comes back.

But if Ian’s offering to give me my job backandbe on Mac’s detail, then I’m taking it back.

“That’s it? Hell, I thought you were already doing that.”

The breath rushes out of me and my eyes burn.

“You accepted that this whole time?”

Ian shrugs. “It’s not ideal, but they aren’t paying you. And if at any point you can’t focus on keeping him and the others safe, then I need you to call it, but the bond between you jackholes was something I could never find for Mac. Every guard he had before you hated working with him. You’re the only asshole that put up with his wild antics.”

“He’s not that damn bad,” I argue with a pinch to my brow.

Another shrug. “Compared to the others, he seemed that way to them.”

Shaking my head, I let it go.

“You’re seriously okay with me dating him?”

“Who am I to say you can’t?”

I catch Lugh nodding and something inside me warms over at the approval. It’s not that I needed it, but knowing I have it … that they accept us … Mac and me together …

It’s got my throat more than a little tight.

Me and Mac.

Holy shit.

“Thank you,” I mutter and straighten, putting some space between us. “I will keep you updated on things. Just … don’t tell him yet?”

With their agreements and a whole lot of blinking, I round the counter to shake their hands.

Except when my palm meets Lugh’s first, he jerks me into one of those bro hugs with a slap on the back.

“Welcome back.”

I nod when he releases me and turn to Ian.

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