Inescapable

Adrian put his hand on Seth’s shoulder and squeezed it, taking over. Seth looked relieved. “What Seth is trying to say is that we both want to see you again, but we know that you might not want to do that, not now you’re back in your normal life. Things were special back there in Wales, and we both know that. It’s up to you though, Lily. If you only want to see one of us, we’ve agreed that the other one will take it on the chin and bow out quietly.”

Her breath felt trapped in her lungs, her chest tight and her heart beating wildly. “What if I want to see both of you again?”

It was a risk. Perhaps they wanted her to choose one or the other, but she couldn’t do that.

Adrian’s smile grew.

Seth’s eyes were filled with hope, but his eyebrows were still drawn together. “Thing is, I want to see you again, real bad. But I can’t be there all the time for you like Adrian can, not in my line of work. You’d have to say you’d accept that, up front.”

She could see how hard this was for him, and as she considered her response she drew his hand to her lips, kissing it gently. “I understand that.”

They closed in, both of them, enfolding her. She shut her eyes, savouring that feeling of being surrounded by them, of being loved by them both, wanting them both.

“You’re sure?” Seth whispered against her ear, as he kissed her cheek.

The arrogant policeman who needed to be reassured.

Adrian squeezed her bottom, making her smile.

The sensitive accountant, who didn’t need to ask.

Deep in her heart, she’d always known that this was truly inescapable. She nodded at them both, her emotions soaring. “I’m sure, very sure.”