“I’m sorry,” she rushed out.Clearly flustered.“I’m almost done.Just need to wrap up here.”
Dr.Brunswick sent a reassuring smile Benny’s way and gave her a nod.“Take your time.I’ve got the next patient covered, just let me know when you’re finished.”
It was only after Brunswick left the room that she could breathe again.Oh no.Could he tell what she’d been doing?Had she been loud?Did everyone in reception hear her chanting her ex-boyfriend’s name?
Oh my God.Oh my God.
She was still spiraling when Benny’s hands came to her face again.“Hey.B.It’s okay.He had no idea.Trust me.”
Sure.Trust her ex who had broken her heart.Lied about why he’d dumped her.And tricked her into sex.Twice.
Tricked?
Okay.Maybe not tricked.Still, he did keep flashing those abs at her.That was just as bad.Speaking of which—she released herself to pick up his shirt and throw it at him.
“You!You need to go.Right now.And don’t even think about turning up here again.”
She was gifted with another smoldering smile as he shrugged the material over his head.“Dinner at my place, Friday?”
Had he taken a knock to the head?
“Out!”she hissed, her finger going to the door.
“Okay, baby.”He lay a quick kiss on her lips before backing up toward the exit.“I’ll call you.”
Finally alone, she swiped the phone from her desk.She was in over her head, clearly.It was time to call in reinforcements.
***
Bethany had managedto convince Lucy to take a trip to the Tipsy Cow with her after work.It was Woodvalley’s one and only bar.A neon-lit cave where the walls were plastered with a rather random assortment of glowing signs.And while it was a perfectly acceptable establishment, her friend had felt the need to remind her several times that she wasn’t a ‘bar person’ because it reminded her too much of work.Apparently, serving food at the diner was dangerously close to sitting at a bar with her friend.
After promising she’d never drag Lucy back there, Bethany confessed her sins.Coming clean about not just one but two trysts with Benny.Luckily, she had a big glass of red wine to help her through the conversation.
As expected, Lucy was horrified.
“Please close your mouth, Luce.People are looking.”
Well, not really.A couple of older cowboys perched at the bar may have given them a quick glance when they’d arrived, but nothing since then.Still, she really needed Lucy to stop gaping at her.
“I just...in the consultation room?”
That was the part she was stuck on?“Yes.And the other night when I went over to his place.”
She should have told Lucy after that night, but she’d been too embarrassed.Now, here she was, shoveling more shame onto the shitshow that was her life.
“Lucy!”a woman’s voice called out.“I never see you here!”Was she British?
Thirty seconds later and Bethany had her answer as an attractive, dark-haired woman with a gentle curve to her belly stood at their high-top table wrapping Lucy up into a warm embrace.
“I can’t believe it; I’ve been trying to drag your arse here for months.I see I’m just gonna have to be more convincing next time.”The woman straightened, her gaze going straight to Bethany as she outstretched a hand.“Hi.I’m Cat, and you’re Bethany, right...the runaway bride?”
The runaway bride?Jesus Christ.
Lucy laughed.Traitor.
“Congratulations by the way,” her friend was quick to add, before Bethany had a chance to confirm whether she was or wasn’t the runaway bride.“Rachel told me the news.I’m so happy for you, Cody and Dylan.”Her friend’s eyes went to the bump.
Bethany watched Cat visibly soften as she placed a protective hand over her belly.“Thanks, Lucy.We’re all really excited.”
