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"You realize that isn't fair to them?"
"In what way?"
"They're expecting you to marry her someday. Can't you see they'll be hurt when they realized you deceived them?"
"No. I do not see that."
"You are being deliberately obtuse."
"Do not speak to me like I am a recalcitrant child. I am a man." And he wanted her to see him as such.
Not a boy. He might be younger than her, but Tor was no boy.
She all but rolled her eyes at him. "Of that I am fully aware."
"Really? Then why question my choices like I'm a child?"
"This isn't about me seeing you as a child."
"Isn't it? You don't trust my judgment when it comes to my family."
"You're lying to them."
"I am not." Damn it, he was sick of having this conversation with her.
Tor grabbed his phone and dialed his brother's private line for the second time in an hour.
"Was there something you forgot, Tor?" Holger asked after the usual greeting.
"I am not, and have never been dating, Else."
"Oh. Well, that makes more sense. Janne said there was no way you were dating her, but well…"
"I led you and the rest of the family to certain conclusions."
"Yes. The question is why?"
"I wanted to get Else's parents off her back."
"So, I assume you don't want me sharing this confidence with our father."
"I would appreciate your discretion."
"Why did you feel the need to tell me now?"
"Someone thinks it would hurt you if I don't."
"Else. She's got a tender heart, but she needn't have worried. You've got plenty of time to settle down."
Tor didn't correct his brother on the name of the woman who had prompted the phone call.
He said goodbye to his brother and then looked with challenge at Blythe. "Happy now?"
"I…"
When she didn't continue, he said, "Holger said it didn't matter. I was right. He also agreed not to tell my father."
"He did?" Blythe sounded confused.
"I guarantee you Holger would not agree to maintain the subterfuge if he believed that our father not knowing the truth would hurt him."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Positive."
