Page 77 of Full Mountie

“Oh!” I frown. “And Ellie’s never questioned the discount?”

She laughs. “She was my roommate for ages. Me getting a discount at a store isn’t an odd experience for her. Other than quite rightly pointing out how the last thing a poor little rich girl needs is a discount on satin and lace, no, she’s never asked.”

I nod. “So, why is it a secret?”

Another nose wrinkle. “My father would freak if he found out. The only reason he hasn’t dragged me into the family business is because I’m a full-time student. Starting side projects is definitely not allowed.”

“Allowed?” Oh, I want to say so much more, but maybe it’s safest if I just echo that single, loaded word.

She rolls her eyes. “I know. It’s stupid.Totallystupid.”

I was thinking more like disturbingly controlling, but sure, totally stupid works, too. “How do you feel about that?”

“I hate it. But he’s mydad. And until I decided I didn’t want anything to do with his business, we were two peas in a pod.”

“That’s…real life, though. You don’t get everything you want without any consequences for your decisions…” I trail off. Shit. I’m the last person to be giving anyone a lecture on playing Pollyanna. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”

She just shrugs. “You’re not wrong. I know I need to have that come to Jesus conversation with him. Soon.”

“Bah. Whatever. Live your life as long as you can, the way you want to.”

She lifts one eyebrow in a coolly patrician way I’m sure I couldn’t pull off. “That sounds like a hint at your fabulously interesting life I want to know more about.”

“Nice try.” I wink. “So. Anything more I need to do for the wedding shower?”

We talk about flowers—can’t hurt to have lots—and sugar cookie favours—cute in concept, but does anyone really want to take cookies home?—and then we give Violet a quick call to loop her in, too. Everything is coming together nicely, which is good, because we’re down to the wire.

Of course, I’ve been delightfully distracted.

When Sasha excuses herself to the washroom, I check Lachlan’s text—and am very glad I waited until I was alone to read it.

Lachlan: Max guessed that we’re seeing each other. I’m not very good at keeping you a secret.

My frustration is definitely tempered by the second line. More than I expected. There’s a weird, warm sensation blooming in my chest, actually.

Beth: Okay. Thank you for telling me.

Beth: I’m out with Sasha right now. She’s on the guessing warpath, too.

Lachlan: Maybe unavoidable.

Beth: But complicated…

He sends a dorky smiling cartoon in response. I don’t know how to decode that, but if he’s not stressed, then I won’t be, either.

I flip to my contacts and click on Hugh’s name.

Beth: Hey.

Not the most original opening line, but I don’t know how to lead withSo people are starting to assume Lachlan and I are a couple and how do you feel about that when we’re both pretty obsessed with getting you naked?

Hugh: Evening, beautiful. Long day, eh?

Beth: Yeah. I’m out shopping now, though.

Hugh: Buy anything indecent?

We text back and forth about my shopping trip and I promise to send him anonymous lingerie pictures when I get home. Before I can bring up the point of why I started texting him, Sasha returns and I shove the phone back in my bag.

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