Page 39 of Full Mountie

Then she waits.

And waits.

My mind slides from emotion to reaction and back again. Confusion, because why would Lachlan tell Gavinanything?Embarrassment, too. Now there would be pressure. But there was already pressure. I know Gavin thinks Lachlan should ask me out. But I swear, threesomes aside, Gavin has some stupidly traditional ideas of men and women and dating and relationships.

I don’t need my boss thinking about my dating life.

Especially when he only knows half of it, and the whole of it is way too complicated to satisfy whatever expectations he might have for “good enough for Beth.”

I puff out my cheeks as I exhale. “Okay. So here’s the thing…” I take another rough breath. I’m way overreacting, but hey, if Ellie wants to be friends, here’s her chance. “I wish Lachlan hadn’t told Gavin that, to be honest. We’ve had a couple of dates, and they’ve been amazing, but this just amps up the pressure in a big way.” I hesitate and take another sip of my coffee. “And we’re not exactly exclusive yet.”

That’s fudging the truth a bit. We’ve had a conversation that definitely narrowed the scope of who else we’ll date—to a list with a single other name on it. The same name for both of us, although I don’t know that Lachlan and Hugh would call whatever they do together dating.

Ellie’s eyes brighten. “Well, that makes total sense. I’m so sorry. I was just really excited for you. Both of you.”

“Just don’t get your heart set on a happy ever after ending for us. I adore Lachlan, but we’ve both got a lot going on that takes precedent over a relationship.”

“Famous last words,” she mumbled as she tried to innocently hide behind her coffee.

Ha. If she only knew the rest of the story. Over my dead body.

ItextLachlan as soon as I leave the coffee shop.

Beth: You told Gavin that we’re dating?

Lachlan: I didn’t use that word.

Beth: I just had coffee with Ellie. The telephone game definitely translated it into her being super excited that we’re finally together.

Lachlan: To be fair, I’m also super excited that we’re finally together.

He’s totally missing the point. Are we “finally together”? And where does that leave me and Hugh? Lachlan and Hugh? Hugh in general, the deliciously dirty man?

Beth:Can you please call me when you get a free moment?

He calls five minutes later. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

He sighs. “So you’re not happy. I’m sorry.”

“I thought our first fight might be about jealousy or something. Not…spilled secrets.”

“I’m sorry. Really, truly sorry. I didn’t think we needed to keep dinner a secret.” He sounds hurt.

“When you get back, maybe we need to have a clearer conversation about what we share and what we don’t.”

He makes a frustrated sound. “I don’t think you want to share anything.”

He’s not wrong. “Is that a problem?”

“Ottawa’s a small city. What if someone sees us together?”

“And what if someone sees me with Hugh?” Silence is the only response. “Should we tell the PM that I’m seeing two of his security detail?”

Lachlan swears under his breath. “I didn’t think of that.”

“I know. And I don’t want to harp on it. But…”

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