Page 63 of Fake Date with the Mountain Man

MARLOW

I’m in love with Ryan Ehler.

What a weird thing to say out loud. But somehow it feels a thousand times more natural than it ever did repeating my ‘Ryan Ehler is my friend’ mantra a few weeks ago.

Honestly, the words didn’t catch me by surprise. Ryan’s feelings were written all over every touch, every kiss, and every smile that he gave me. So much so that I didn’t even need to hear the words to make them true. And I knew I felt the same.

What did catch me by surprise was the way my heart absolutely flooded and overflowed when he told me. If I could rewind and replay the moment, I’d be stuck in an infinite loop…especially if it meant that I didn’t have to deal with the Kayla issue.

But alas, it’s Monday morning. Ryan left early to go home and get ready for work. We may be in love, but we still haven’t mastered the art of sleeping over on work nights. That leaves me to get ready and walk to work by myself. Normally, I’d prefer Ryan’s company, but this morning I appreciate the time alone to think.

Supervising other people obviously comes with the territory for the Volunteer Coordinator position, but it is not a facet of the job that I’m particularly fond of. Keeping track of a few seniorcitizen trail hosts is one thing, but actively managing these interns is a whole other world.

Especially when one of them sexually harasses another employee…and that employee happens to be my boyfriend.

Granted, Kayla doesn’t know that she’s been sending nudes to her boss’s boyfriend. But she’s been so hellbent on getting Ryan’s attention that I doubt it would have mattered to her.

A flutter of panic courses through me as I cross the lobby of the ranger station and mutter a quick greeting to Emmett. Years of working with foster kids and parents has toughened me up for these difficult situations, but this is way out of my wheelhouse. Hunter will have to be involved, and probably HR as well. There will be some sort of investigation, which will undoubtedly include the fact that Ryan and I are dating. Ryan will probably have to provide proof of the harassment, which means he’ll have to show the photo to…who, exactly?

Oh God, am I going to have to look at this photo?

It’s one thing to hear about it, but I don’t know if I can stay calm and collected while looking at a nude photo of another woman on Ryan’s phone.

Deep breaths, I remind myself.Deep breaths.

I probably look like I’m practicing Lamaze in my office when Ryan trots by. Pausing in my doorway, he smiles and mouths the words, ‘You okay?’ My breath finally catches up to me and I nod.

Everything will be okay. Whatever happens today at work, Ryan will be beside me. And when it’s all over, we’ll go home and this will all be behind us.

Ryan disappears from the doorway but returns a few minutes later with two cups of coffee.

“Ready to get this over with?” he asks.

Hunter looks uncomfortable as soon as he sees Ryan and me standing in the doorway of his office. Hunter is a quiet guy, but sometimes I wonder if he’s more observant than he lets on.He knows Ryan pretty well, from what I’ve gathered, and he recognizes the edge in his tone as he asks if we can come in and talk for a minute.

Clearly, we aren’t here to chat about the weekend. The idea of waltzing into our boss’ office and regaling him with tales of mimosas at brunch is laughable. Hunter probably doesn’t even know what a mimosa is…or what brunch is, for that matter.

Ryan tries to pull out a chair for me, but the stupid folding chair that Hunter refuses to replace crumples and folds in on itself with a loud screech. Ryan straightens it out quickly while giving me a quick look to communicate that this is off to a great start. Right then, I realize that he’s nervous, too.

“So, what’s up?” Hunter asks once we’re both seated across from him.

Ryan and I shift awkwardly in our seats. A beat of silence passes, and then another. Just when I’m about to blurt out the word ‘nudes’ at my boss, just to put an end to the tension, Ryan speaks.

“As you know, Marlow and I have been dating for some time now,” he starts.

Hunter nods, and I can’t help but wonder if Ryan talks to him about me. Aboutus. Heat prickles in my cheeks.

“That’s not a problem,” Hunter says casually. “You two have different assignments. Neither of you reports to the other.”

Ryan sits forward a little and continues. “Right, but that’s not why we’re here. There’s a problem with another employee – one of Marlow’s.”

“What kind of problem?”

Ryan’s lips tilt into a frown as he ponders the manliest way to tell his boss and good friend that he’s being sexually harassed by a college girl. I guess this means it’s my turn to take the lead.

“Ryan received some unwelcomed and inappropriate text messages from one of my employees.”

“Kayla?” Hunter interrupts.

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