Page 23 of Liberation

Blake ducks his head as he runs a hand over the back of his neck. “Sure. Yeah. Meet me at Murphy’s on Main at seven.” He collects our empty cups and tosses them in the trash, and with a tight-lipped smile and a nod he heads out the door.

Okay, that is not at all the reaction I expected.

The Blake I slept with is sensitive, gentle, and considerate. The Blake who just left is…stiff. I’m sure having me as his boss is a shock, but he seemed normal during that meeting, so why the hesitation about grabbing a bite? Does he not want a repeat of our night together? Obviously, we both expected that to be a one-time thing, though I got the impression it could be more if he wasn’t just passing through. Did I misread him? Or worse, does he have a girl here and I’m an unwanted complication?

Normally, I wouldn’t overanalyze like this, but Blake made me feel things I want to feel again. I didn’t realize I missed the connection another person offers until I saw him face-to-face and recalled the sense of belonging I felt when I was with him. If he isn’t thinking along those same lines, maybe the whole dream guy thing was premature? I guess I’ll find out at dinner.

Chapter 12

Blake

Shit.Shit. My conscience wouldn’t let me leave Becca alone on her first night in town, especially given our history. But our history means I know she’s going to think dinner is just the start of the evening, and that’s not good. Not now, when I’ve got a…boyfriend?

The word is strange inside my head, and I’m not sure if it’s because we haven’t referred to each other that way out loud or because it’s the first time I’ve ever dated someone. Hell, it might be both. Either way, Becca’s presence just got a lot more complicated.

Jace and I may both like women as well as men, but we haven’t talked about whether it’s okay to see them while we’re seeing each other. Part of me thinks he’d be okay with it—he specifically said we shouldn’t see otherguys, which makes me wonder if girls are on the table. And if I want them to be.

When we talked about trying the whole dating thing, girls were nowhere on my radar. I wanted to give things with Jace a serious chance, and adding anyone to the mix, guy or girl, would only get in the way. I still believe that, mostly. It’s only because the girl in question is Becca that I’m now confused as hell.

I felt an instant connection to her, same as I did with Jace, and if she had been the one to move here before he did… There’s a very real chance I’d be trying to make a serious go of things with her, right now. Only she didn’t show up first. He did, and even though it’s still early on, things between us are really,reallygood.

It feels natural to fall asleep and wake up next to Jace. Talking to him comes so easily, which is a huge relief after years of guarding what I say. I don’t want to give that up. I also don’t want to hurt Becca, who also feels natural to be around. Though I don’t have a commitment to her, she isn’t a random hookup to me, and I don’t want to do anything to give her that impression. Turning down any advances could have that effect, and based on past experience, she’ll probably make an advance if I don’t. Somehow, I have to get through dinner without hurting her. Or Jace.

From my perch on the barstool at Murphy’s on Main—the new name since Lennon’s planning to open a second location on the mountain—I see Becca the moment she steps inside. It’s a busy night here—it always is during the summer tourist season—but her pink hair and bright smile make her stand out. It’s both cute and hot at the same time, making my stomach do a little flip.Dammit.

How should I play this? Professional? Familiar? Smartass? What’s the protocol for hanging out with your boss who you slept with and have to keep at arm’s length even though you genuinely like her and maybe still want her a little? I went for professional earlier since we were talking about work, but I might’ve been sort of flirty to ease the tension. And I think I bordered on rude when she asked about dinner. I hardly remember at this point since my primary goal was not losing my shit. It still is.Seriously, what are the odds?

Becca spots me waving at the end of the bar and weaves her way through the crowd, heaving a sigh of relief as she takes the seat next to me. “Popular place.” Her eyes are wide as she takes in the hum of activity.

“Best food in town. I usually try to avoid the dinner rush, but my boss had me lining up all sorts of people for this big project we’ve got going on, so I got stuck working late.” I give her a little side eye as I sip my beer, hoping smartass is the right angle.

“Your boss sounds like a tyrant.” Relief flows into my lungs as she matches my banter without any hesitation.

“Oh, she is. I mean, who makes you stay after five? Even if you’re excited about the project and working on deadlines, five is the cutoff.” I flag Lennon over before turning to look at Becca, who is grinning from ear to ear. “What can I get you to drink?”

“Um, a beer is fine.”

“With that hair?” A deep voice rumbles from behind her. “No way, you need a—”

“Not another word, Deacon.” I interrupt my very inappropriate friend before he can finish. “This is my boss. We don’t play dirty drinks with her.”

“Yeah, save the dirty drinks for The Underground. Murphy’s is a family place.” Lennon rolls her eyes at Deacon then wipes her hand on her apron and extends it to Becca. “The boss, huh? You’ll fit right in. I’m Lennon. This not-so-suave idiot is Deacon.” He grins salaciously and holds his hand out as well.

“Becca.” She shakes both their hands. “Why will I fit in?” Her eyes dart between me, Lennon, and Deacon.

“I own this place, my friend Ally owns her clothes shop, Sloane runs her own physical therapy practice and Cora has her own consulting gig, although right now she’s contracted to work for Carter.”

“In other words, you’re a badass.” Deacon hovers near her ear. I shoot him a warning glare that he pretends not to notice.

“What does that make me?” Tiff materializes next to Lennon with a full pout on her lip. Good thing she’s a sweetheart down deep or her unique ability to overhear conversations she’s not part of would be pretty awkward.

“My trusty sidekick and also a badass,” Lennon slings an arm around her shoulders and introduces her to Becca.

“And the dirty drink names?” Becca searches our faces for a hint.

Lennon puts a beer on the counter and points a finger at Deacon. “Be nice. And no dirty drinks in front of Tiff or her mom will kill me.”

As soon as she’s out of earshot, Tiff leans toward Becca so she doesn’t have to shout. “It’s a bar game where the guys string a bunch of dirty drink names together in a sentence. They use it to pick up girls.”

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