Page 67 of The Mechanics of Lust

More laughter. “TMI bro. TMI. But if that’s true, then I still fail to see the problem.”

“It’sLuke.”

“Yes, I got that part. So?”

“He’s Gil’s ex-husband, and I’m Holden’s... whatever. If I think too hard about it, my mind explodes.”

Jules hooted. “For fuck’s sake, Zach. You’re both adults. And I’m pretty sure neither Holden nor Gil will care if you two are banging. Honestly, you’re just not that important.”

“Fuck you.” I rapped on the kitchen window to quiet the dogs from waking up the neighbours.

“You’re running scared, aren’t you?” Jules asked with a smile in his voice.

I snorted. “No shit, Sherlock. Can you blame me? It’s like a damn soap opera around this place. People have only just stopped looking at me sideways after shit went down with Dad. And if things get awkward between Luke and Gil and Holden and me, the gossips will have a fucking field day. I can hear it now. Gay-love quadrouple or whatever the fuck the equivalent is to a love triangle.”

Jules almost choked. “Yeah, I’m not touching that. But Luke’s gone in a few months, which means you two can simply stay friends and cool the other part if it bothers you that much. I don’t get what...?” Jules trailed off. “Oh, fuck me. You mean you really like him, as inlikelike him. As in havingthosetypes of feelings.”

I huffed in frustration. “Just so you know, this is me rolling my eyes. Took you long enough.”

Jules went quiet for a moment before saying, “Like you said, Luke is a nice guy, and the sex is apparently good. Is it really such a surprise that you’re having feelings for him?”

“I had feelings for Holden,” I pointed out. “I wasin lovewith Holden. How is it possible to feel things for someone else so fast?”

He laughed. “And you thinkIhave the answer? My dating history isn’t exactly stellar. I can’t even remember the last time I got laid.”

My mouth turned up in a smile. “True. Although I thought you got pretty close to Laura before she headed north all those years ago. You guys were together six months. You seemed pretty smitten.”

Jules went quiet for a moment. “Maybe. Not sure that was love though. Although the sex was amazing.”

“Ew. Stop. The idea of men’s and ladies’ bits bumping together is so gross.”

Jules laughed.

I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I guess I don’t want to make another mistake. It’s hard to trust what I feel anymore. I got things so fucking wrong with Holden. And this thing with Luke seems... well, you couldn’t write a book about it. And like you said, he’s not staying.”

“Then why not simply enjoy the ride? Pun fully intended. If he’s not staying and you’re not leaving, which I know you’re not, then there’s no real decision to make, is there? You can see what happens with an easy exit option.”

“I guess.” I opened the back door and whistled for the dogs, my nipples pebbling in the wash of frigid air. “Fuck, it’s cold out there.” I quickly shut the door and put my phone on speaker while I dried the dogs’ feet.

“Just think about it, Zee. The Mackenzie dating pool is rather small, for both of us, but you especially.”

“Don’t remind me. Butyoucould make it larger for yourself if you chose to,” I suggested carefully.

He said nothing for a minute, then replied, “Maybe. But that’s a question for another day. And yes, it’s fucking cold. Look, I have to go. Dad’s on the warpath. We didn’t get the first frost around the house before April last year, but it’s white as fucking snow today. If this keeps up, we’re in trouble.”

I frowned. “Are you guys still mustering late? I thought you talked him around.”

“For about half a day. Don’t even ask. And now look at it. Hence Dad’s pissy mood. You know how much he hates being wrong.”

Did I ever.“Okay, well, let me know if I can help out. We’ll be almost finished by the time you start.”

Jules huffed. “We both know he won’t accept any help from you or Miller Station, but thanks.”

He ended the call, and I opened the laundry door and let the dogs into the house.

Jojo skidded to a stop on the polished floors and quickly sat to attention in front of the breakfast bar, her eyes trained on the container of dog biscuits. Nina plonked down beside her kennelmate and I’d have sworn her gold eyebrows waggled as she scooted Jojo sideways into the fridge.

“Nope.” I eyed the two dogs. “I’ll feed you when we get home.” It was still the best decision, no matter what Jules thought.

---