Page 197 of Better When Shared
“Fuck, come in,” I stepped back, ushering them inside. “Before my business partner spots you and I never hear the end of it.”
Hamish looked over his shoulder. “She can’t see the house, can she?”
“Nah, her cabin is on the other side of the barn. And she’s gaming with her two online boyfriends. She’s well and truly distracted.”
Hamish smirked. “Two online boyfriends? Do they know about each other?”
“No idea. I think she likes the love triangle drama, if we’re being honest.”
Hamish chuckled as he passed me, his shoulder brushing mine. “I take it you haven’t told her about our adventure?”
“Not exactly.” I closed the door behind them, hyperaware of how domestic this felt—the three of us in my private space, bearing food and wine like any normal... whatever we were. “I just got the third degree about my ‘tourist crush.’ If she saw you here, I’d never live it down.”
Imogen wandered into my living room, her eyes taking in the exposed beam ceiling, the stone fireplace I’d rebuilt last winter. “This is lovely,” she said, turning to face me. “Did you renovate it yourself? It’s much nicer than our cottage at the Cannery.”
“Thanks.” I ran a hand through my damp hair, self-conscious. “It was a dump when I bought it. It leaked every time it rained, which is basically always around here. It’s still a work in progress, but getting there.”
“I love it.” Hamish set the bags on my kitchen counter. “We wanted to thank you properly for keeping us alive during our maritime emergency.” His British accent made even casual statements sound formal.
“I should be the one apologizing to you for stranding you!”
“Well, in retrospect, getting stranded was the best thing that could have happened, so we’re not sorry. Are you?” Imogen asked as she pulled containers from the bag, revealing Chinese food from the good place in Friday Harbor.
“Not even a little bit.” I met her eyes, the air between us charged with memories of what we’d done together.
We settled on my couch with plates of food, the initial awkwardness dissolving as we ate. Imogen asked about the house, and I told them about buying the property after burning out in Hawaii, how Skylar and I had spent months rebuilding, learning as we went.
“You should have seen it before,” I said, gesturing around with my chopsticks. “The previous owner was some hermit artist who apparently didn’t believe in fixing things. We found raccoons living in the attic.”
“It feels like you,” Imogen said. “Warm. Unpretentious.”
I snorted. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It was meant as one.” Her eyes met mine, soft and sincere in a way that made my chest tighten.
I leaned back, eying them both. “So, are you just here for food, or do you two still want to continue... whatever this is?”
Hamish set his plate down. “We’d like to continue, if you do. We’ve discussed it and we both want to see where this goes.”
“How so?” I asked, hesitantly.
Imogen fiddled with her chopsticks. “The wedding venue booked me for the entire summer season, so I’m here until the end of August. About ten weeks. We’d like to spend that time with you.” She looked up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Assuming somesurf instructor named Makai doesn’t keep parking his eyesore of a trailer places that drive me over the edge.”
I laughed, relief and terror churning in my gut. Having them for two more months meant so much more fun with them… but at the same time, there was no question that it would increase my risk of growing attached.
“And you?” I turned to Hamish.
“I’ve decided to stay.” He reached for Imogen’s hand, linking their fingers together. “My office allows remote work, and I want to be with Imogen.” He paused, then added with a slight flush, “And to get to know you better.”
“What would the ground rules be?” I asked.
Hamish blushed. “We want to enter this with an open mind. So much was revealed this weekend, and we both want to explore as much as we can. We’re okay if that happens as pairs or as a trio, while keeping lines of communication open.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. This was moving way too fast, way too serious for people who’d known each other barely a week. I should be running for the hills, keeping things casual, protecting myself.
Instead, I heard myself say, “I guess we might as well make the most of the time we have.”
Imogen’s smile brightened. “That’s what we were hoping you’d say.”
