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Back Love, Accidentally Save as PDF
Chapters (41)
  1. Dedication
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. 8
  10. 9
  11. 10
  12. 11
  13. 12
  14. 13
  15. 14
  16. 15
  17. 16
  18. 17
  19. 18
  20. 19
  21. 20
  22. 21
  23. 22
  24. 23
  25. 24
  26. 25
  27. 26
  28. 27
  29. 28
  30. 29
  31. 30
  32. 31
  33. 32
  34. 33
  35. THANK YOU!
  36. MORE FROM PHOEBE MACLEOD
  37. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
  38. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  39. ALSO BY PHOEBE MACLEOD
  40. Boldwood Ever After
  41. About Boldwood Books

‘Perfect. Do you mind me asking how long you and Mike have lived together?’

‘Around six years. Why?’

‘Just curious. He’s a great guy, so I was just wondering why you hadn’t snapped him up.’

Bless her naivety, I think as I smile. ‘I love him, but purely as a friend. How long have you known him?’

‘I work in the oncology department. I’ve bumped into him a few times and we’ve been out for drinks once or twice. Last night was the first time… you know. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t treading on your toes or anything.’

‘That’s very kind of you, but there’s nothing between Mike and me, and there never will be. In the best possible way, you’re welcome to him.’

‘Thanks.’ She looks relieved. ‘I don’t normally stay over with a man so early in a relationship, but I’ve got a really good feeling about him, do you know what I mean? He’s kind, funny and, unlike most men, actually listens when I speak.’

I feel slightly sorry for her as I hand over her coffee.

‘He is a good man,’ I agree. ‘Not without his faults, but his heart is in the right place.’ Even as I say the words, I kind of despise myself a little for not telling her the truth, that he’s a terrible womaniser and she’s just the latest in a long line of notches on his bedpost. However, as I remind myself every time this happens, Mike’s love life is nothing to do with me. I can’t even remember the last time I had to visit the oncology department, so I’m unlikely to have to face any of the fallout when he invariably tells her that things are moving too fast, or whatever line he’ll use to gently push her aside later today.

‘Right, I’d better go,’ I tell her as she settles herself on the sofa with her coffee, tucking her legs up underneath her. ‘I’ll see you again soon, yeah?’

‘I’d like that,’ she replies. ‘It was nice to meet you, Tilly.’

‘Likewise.’

I feel such a fraud as I gently close the front door behind me. I know for sure that I’ll never see her again. I do love Mike, but not this side of him. One thing is for certain: if Luke thinks I’m going to be an easy conquest like one of Mike’s, he’s going to have another think coming.

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