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“Hey, what’s up?”

Kit sighs. “I’m nearly twenty-five and I still haven’t met my mate. I’m starting to worry. No, sorry. My parents are worrying and are transferring it onto me.”

“Hey, come on, there’s still time. Look at me, I’m twenty-nine and have only just…” I stop dead because I forgot Kit doesn’t know I mated with Erin.

“You found her? You’ve mated?” Kit’s excitement is electric.

“Yeah, well, it’s a little complicated,” I laugh humorlessly, because let’s be fair, it’s not funny in the slightest.

Kit is cut off by Mack and Erin emerging from the storeroom. Erin is a little disheveled, and Mack is wearing a grin that I’d like to knock off her face. But, because I am the epitome of calm and collected, I don’t let her see me rattled.

“I just need to run to the bathroom and then we’ll go over that invoice, if that’s okay?” Erin asks, her voice pinched. It’s not nice to see her uncomfortable. She doesn’t wait for an answer.

Mack watches her leave and then turns her attention to me. I already sense what’s coming. “Amelia, a word?”

“Sure,” I reply, gesturing to the booth on my left. We take a seat. I lay my arms across the back of the booth. I can see it irritates Mack to see me so unaffected by her.

“Look, I think it’s time you backed off.”

“Really? And why’s that?”

“Because me and Erin are exclusive now. We’ve been together for a few months and, let’s be honest, she’s only dating you because she doesn’t know how to let you down. You know, she feels bad about you having a health issue and all.”

My face gives nothing away. My insides are boiling with white fiery anger. “Is that so? Well, until I hear that from Erin, I’ll continue to date her.”

Mack shakes her head and chuckles. “You poor sap. Amelia, Erin is my girlfriend now. I know you got a kiss out of her, but that’s it. You’re nowhere near the level we’re at.”

“Yet.”

“No, you’ll never get there. Look, if she was so into you, would she have just let me fuck her up against the stock shelves? And boy, did she enjoy it.”

Oh Mack, you simple fool. I would be impressed, but I find her as intimidating and threatening as a throw pillow. She oversold it and has just handed me a weapon that is almost guaranteed to blow her relationship out of the water. I’m weighing up whether I should launch it when she leans forward.

“I have to say, hearing her scream my name in your stockroom was quite a thrill.” Well, that settles it then.

“For a doctor, you’re not very bright, are you?” I begin. She’s taken aback by my response. “You know, I really admired you when we met Mack, but you’ve really shown your true colors now, huh?”

“Hey guys, what’s going on?” Erin asks as she approaches the booth. Time to detonate.

“Ms. Hanson,” I say, addressing Erin formally, which, of course, earns me a very confused look. “I need you to clear out your locker immediately.”

“What?” she blurts.

“I’ve just been informed you have taken part in sexual conduct on the premises and on shift. As you know, this directly violates your employee contract. I have no choice. Please vacate the bar by the time we open.” I have zero intentions of firing Erin. I know Mack was bullshitting the second those words left her lying mouth. Erin would never do anything to jeopardize her career or the bar’s integrity.

“What? Amelia, what are you talking about?” Erin is flushed and confused, and I hate that I’m making her feel that way, but it’s necessary. If it were any other employee, I would have to take the same steps. I can’t be seen as playing favorites, plus I need Mack to know she’s fucking with the wrong person. I’m a Loch for Christ’s sake.

“Dr. North has just informed me of your time spent in the stockroom. I have to say I’m shocked, Ms. Hanson. Now please, collect your things.”

“Mack, what the hell is she talking about?” I stare Mack dead in the eye. She is bright red and panicking.

“No, no, Erin, it was a joke, a miscommunication,” she stumbles.

“Odd joke,” I comment.

“Joke? What are you talking about?”

“Sorry, can I clarify,” I interrupt. “Did it or didn’t it happen?”