I didn’t think it was possible for a person to go so pink. “Yes. Yes.” She sets the lamb back down and stands. “You’re right. I’ll go and talk to them right now.”
Before I can say another word, she backs out of the pen and flees the barn. As the doors shut behind her, I could swear the light in the building dims slightly.
I look down at Crumpet, who’s licking her lips and padding in a circle on the floor of the pen, ready to fall asleep.
Well. That’s one problem sorted, I suppose. I stand slowly, my bones aching.
I need some damn sleep.
TWENTY-TWO
SUMMER
I’m literally sweating with embarrassment as I run back to the farmhouse.
I’d expected the lambing barn to be empty when I visited Crumpet. I’d spent all day hunched over my phone like a prawn, flipping between doing work, reading devastating hate comments, and daydreaming about yesterday evening. When night finally fell, I was a fun blend of depressed and horny. I was ready to have some quick lamb cuddles and then go find Fraser to see if he wanted round two.
Instead, I was subjected to the single worst conversation of my life.
I shudder as I remember Alec’s stern expression. Surely he’s wrong. There’s no way Fraser and Cameron are fighting over me. Still, snogging both of his best friends isn’t agreatlook, is it? I’ve only been here a few days, and I’ve already caused so many problems.
When I get inside the farmhouse, I hear the sound of heavy furniture scraping. I follow the noises down the hall, until I get to what I assume is the guest room. When I peek through the doorway, Fraser is on the floor, smoothing a worn blue rug over the floorboards. Cameron is stoking the fire.
“You need to pin the rug,” Cameron growls, feeding another log to the fire.
“It’s fine,” Fraser mutters. “God, you are in a mood today.”
“Pin. It. She’ll trip on the edge if you leave it like that.”
“Aw. You’re so concerned for our guest’s health and safety, mate. You’re such a good Airbnb host.”
“Move. It.”
“Say please,” Fraser insists. “You’re not talking to me with respect and kindness right now.”
I knock on the open door, and they both look up at me. Cameron’s eyes travel up my bare legs to the hem of my taupe skirt. His mouth flattens with disapproval.
Fraser straightens. “Hey, baby,” he says cheerfully. “We’re pretty much done. We’ve got all your boxes of toys here, and Cameron brought in Alec’s mum’s old dressing table, so all your little pots of cream are in the drawers.” He tips my face up for a kiss, and I see Cameron stiffen by the fire.
I suppress the urge to melt. “Wait. Hang on a minute. I was just speaking to Alec,” I say, my face flaming.
Fraser snorts. “Oh, aye? This should be good.”
“He said, that, um. You guys were fighting over me?” Even as the words come out of my mouth, I cringe. “I know that’s not true, but I said I’d come speak to you, so…Er, is it true?”
“No,” Cameron says shortly.
“See, that’s whatIsaid, but?—”
“Now,” Fraser says, “don’t lie, Cam.” He turns to me. “We’ve been at it like hounds all day, to be honest. Cameron’s in a right mard over the fact you stayed in my room last night.” He sighs, shaking his head. “Poor thing kissed you good night and then had to hear you share a bed with me. He’s feeling very jilted.”
I turn to Cameron in horror. “You are? I’m sorry!”
Cameron tosses the poker into the grate with a clang. “Eejit,” he snarls at Fraser.
“Look, mate, it’s hardly a secret you like her, youdidliterallykiss her?—”
“I shouldn’t have,” Cameron grinds out. “It was a mistake.” He goes to move past me.
