Page 28 of Liberation

“And open a restaurant?” I look around his shoulder to the doorway he came from, which reads ‘Murphy’s on the Mountain,’ in the same type as the Murphy’s I went to on Main Street a few days ago with Blake.

He jerks a thumb over his shoulder. “That’s his girlfriend’s place. They roped me into moving a few boxes.”

“Lennon? That’s your boss’s girlfriend?”

“You know Lennon?” His eyes grow wide.

“I met her the other day.”

He gives me a warm smile that I feel down to my toes. “In a town this small I shouldn’t be surprised you met his girl already.”

“You still haven’t said why you’re here. Just visiting, or…” I gnaw the inside of my cheek as I wait for him to answer, mainly so I don’t flash him an eager grin. Although I’m excited to see him, that seems like the wrong response given I was just daydreaming about another guy.Seriously though, how is it possible I run into both of them in the same town?

Jace rubs a hand over the back of his neck. “I guess I’m sort of a resident now, too. Axel’s got some stuff going on here he wants me to be a part of, so I’m checking it out.”

“The two of you live together then? Where?” My words spill out too fast to be confused with polite small talk, but I can’t help it. The idea of having another familiar face around, one that I always hoped I’d see again, has me on overdrive.

“Actually, he lives with Lennon. I’m…”

“Hey, Boss.” I spin to find Blake jogging up with an almost wary look on his face, and I wonder briefly if he ran into a problem with the section of trail we’re working on today. “I see you met my roommate.”

Roommate?My fears about a work problem dissolve as I swing my head back to Jace, who’s wearing an expression to match Blake’s. I have the terrifying sense they know something I don’t, which can only mean one thing.They know I’ve slept with both of them.

My gaze darts between the two men standing before me, as my palms start to sweat.How? Why?

I’ve never been so mortified. Twice in my life I’ve had a one-night stand, and now they’re both standing before me, seemingly aware of theconnectionbetween us. Even though I’m not a promiscuous girl, there’s no way they’d believe that considering they both shared my bed the day we met.

Oh God, if they knowthatwhat else do they know? Did they talk about our encounters? Swap stories? Neither struck me as the type to talk about their sexscapades, though that was easier to believe when I thought they were strangers to each other. And dammit, even knowing they might have violated my privacy doesn’t erase the significance of my time with either of them.

Both Blake and Jace played a role in restoring my confidence, making me feel worthy. I can’t regret that no matter the awkwardness of seeing them both together. I just wish they didn’t have a reason to assume they were merely hookups for me when the reality is so much more intense. What other conclusion can they draw under these circumstances, though?

The giddy excitement coursing through me just moments ago evaporates, leaving me with a hollow cavity in my chest, and it takes all my willpower to breathe without hyperventilating.WTF?

“I uh… yeah, we met.” I trap my lips between my teeth as I glance at each of them in turn, wondering how I’m supposed to face either of them again.Can the ground reach up and swallow me whole, or does that only happen in cartoons?

Chapter 15

Blake

SomethingaboutthewayBecca’s eyes fly between us in a daze is off. I have a sinking suspicion I know why that is, but this isn’t the time or place, so I force my expression to remain blank and pretend nothing weird is going on.

“I’ve been meaning to introduce you two. Jace is a videographer, and when we get something tangible to show off I figure he can film some nice promos for the new park.” I’m talking out of my ass, though it does the trick, and she snaps out of her trance.

“Yeah.” She blinks in rapid succession as her mind catches up to her mouth. “That’s a great idea. If it’s okay with you.” She angles her head and looks hesitantly at Jace, a mixture of longing and…sadness in the eyes that linger too long on my boyfriend.

“I’d love to. Blake can take me up to scout some good shots once you get further along.”

“Sure.” I nod in agreement. “So hey, what brings you up here today? I figured you’d be at Axel’s?” I’m reaching, but in the back of my mind I’m hoping the more I talk the less awkward this gets.

Jace jerks his head toward the restaurant behind him, finally loosening up. “Axel roped me into helping move some stuff for Lennon. This was my last trip and I’ve got my truck. I can give you a lift home if you’re done for the day.”

I glace toward Becca and lift my brows. “Anything else you need, Boss?”

“No,” she blurts way too fast, which sets off a sharp pang in my chest. I have the sudden urge to reach for her, offer some type of reassurance for whatever it is she’s feeling, but I have a strong suspicion that things between the three of us are more complicated than my history with Becca, which means I can’t do anything before talking to Jace.

“Okay, see you tomorrow, then.” I give her the warmest smile I can as Jace seems to do the same, then we both make our way to the parking lot in silence. It’s the first time either of us have been at a loss for words, which only confirms my initial thoughts.

Jace starts the engine before I find the courage to admit them. “When did you sleep with Becca?”

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