Page 100 of Unmasking Mr. Crown

He inhaled deeply and let it out slowly, grumbling a few unintelligible words. "She and Natalie are close, but we agreed not to tell her about what happened in London.”

"It's not up to Natalie to be the truth-teller where Kate is concerned." Miranda's eyes narrowed. "That's your job, regardless if you agreed to keep your lips sealed."

Conversation ceased for a good five minutes. Again, Dash reviewed the series of events that led him to Natalie twice now, with nothing to show for it. Of course, Miranda only wanted the best for him; thus the reason for her being such a hardass. His mind tumbled back to the exchange he and Miranda had shared days before, one sentiment spiraling on repeat.

The universe kept pushing Cecil and me back together. And when the universe deems it to be so…

Was the universe doing the same for him and Natalie?

"Are you in love with Kate?" Miranda asked.

He shook his head, a single word trailing behind. "No."

"Have you sampled her merchandise?" Miranda raised an eyebrow.

"No."

"Do you have any desire whatsoever to continue a romantic relationship with her?"

“I want romance with someone—long term. Marriage. Kids. Dressing up in khaki shorts and white shirts for family pics in the bluebonnets. I just don’t know if that someone is Kate.”

“But Kate’s got you thinking about those things, which is great.”

“Only because Natalie pulled me out of my years-long hiatus.”

“You and I both know, some people come into our lives for a season and nothing more.”

“The thing is … I promised myself I’d be settled or close to it by the time I turn forty.”

Miranda rolled her eyes. “Oh, I didn’t realize you were on the clock.”

“Are you mocking me?” he asked, his tone firm.

“Hell yes, I’m mocking you. That’s about the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard you say. You think you can just schedule love? Life is not some reality dating show.”

He raised his voice again. “I’m trying to be completely transparent here. Why are you being such a hardass?”

Miranda looked down and fiddled with the hem of her blouse long enough to let the frustration in Dash’s comment dissipate.

“You’ve clearly got feelings for two women who, unfortunately, happen to be sisters. You have to decide which feelings to act on.”

"I care about Kate, we have a great time together, but it's not the same as what I felt with Natalie. Kate and I don't have the same electricity. Sure, we've kissed, but even those have been … chaste.”

“So, no tonsil hockey or anything?”

Dash rolled his eyes. “Good God, Miranda.”

She raised a hand in a sign of surrender. “Okay, okay. Strike that question from the record.”

Dash shook his head. “The intensity I had with Natalie isn't there with Kate. Believe me, I’ve tried. Kate and I hold hands. We kiss. We spoon. But there's no true spark. We’ve rubbed up against each other like two dry sticks at a campfire and nothing—not even a puff of smoke. I’ve done everything in my power to find a lasting connection with Kate. Why wouldn’t I, when she appears to be the whole package?”

Miranda took a sip of whisky. “Sounds like Kate is comfortable and Natalie is chemistry. There’s nothing wrong with comfortable, Dash. Shoes should be comfortable. Your mattress should be comfortable. But when it comes to love, comfort alone isn't enough."

"I don't want to hurt Kate."

"Of course you don't. You're not that kind of guy. If Kate is half the woman you've said she is, she'll understand. Then maybe you can try to work things out with Natalie guilt-free, knowing that you've been honest with Kate about everything."

“And when it wrecks her relationship with Natalie? What then?”