Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“I can’t believe you kissed my wee sister at my wedding,” Lewis grumbled.
“Oh, would you get over it?” I ran a hand through my hair with an exasperated sigh. If I had my way, I’d be doing far worse than kissing her. Filthy, dirty, grown-up things that would make my best friend’s head explode.
Lewis aggressively bit off another piece of sandwich, eyeing me as if he wished he were taking a lump out of me.
Sitting back down, I turned to him. “You know you’re my family. That’s why I want to be straight with you about this. I intend to pursue Eilidh. Romantically.”
“And if I say I’m not actually comfortable anymore with the thought of you and Eilidh together?”
A sharp pain pierced between my sternum. “Ah, Lew, I hope that isn’t true. I … you’re like a brother to me, but … I’ve been so blind to how much I need Eilidh. The happiest time in my life were the months she and I started talking again. We talked every day. I looked forward to waking up because I knew there would be a text from her and that I’d get to talk to her on the phone or video chat with her in the evening. When that stopped … I buried how much it hurt not having her in my life. It’s not just that I want Eilidh. I need her. She’s become essential.”
“So you’re going to go after her with or without my blessing?”
I nodded grimly. “I’m sorry.”
Lewis smacked me on my back. Hard. “Don’t be. That is the exact right answer.”
I gaped at him. He had me in knots for nothing? Thinking I might lose my best mate over this. As a test? “You are an absolute fucker.”
He grinned, his eyes flaring comically. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”
Twenty-Six
EILIDH
Although all the treats were sold out by the time we got to Callie’s Wee Cakery, Callie and Sloane ushered Millie and me into the back of the bakery where they had some malformed desserts that still tasted delicious.
Millie tried to grab Callie’s take on a French Fancy out of my hands and grew pretty pissed off when she saw the entire thing disappear into my mouth.
Her wails filled the kitchen and Callie whipped off her apron and lifted Millie out of her stroller. “Oh, it’s okay, sweetie. Take a wee walk with Aunt Callie. Hmm. When you’re a bit older, you’ll get to try a treat, eh? Aw, hush, baby.” Callie bounced her gently as she paced up and down the kitchen. Millie’s cries gentled. I wasn’t surprised. Millie got over her grumbles if someone cuddled her.
“So, has Fyfe worked out permanent childcare?” Callie’s mum, Sloane, asked as she wiped down the marble-topped prep counters.
He’d told me he was in the middle of trying to. I hadn’t responded with anything but a grunt. After my talk with Mum, I understood him better. I maybe even believed he thought he truly wanted me, but I couldn’t quite trust that. And I wasn’t ready to talk to him about it just yet.
“There aren’t a lot of people looking to take on full-time nanny positions in a remote Scottish village.” I shrugged with more casualness than I felt. “I think Millie will end up at my mum’s daycare.”
“How does that make you feel?” Callie asked.
Millie was snuggled against her, but her big blue eyes were trained on me.
My heart squeezed. “I will miss the hell out of seeing her every day. But … I suppose we need to get back to reality.”
“So … things between you and Fyfe?” Callie was wide-eyed with curiosity.
I glanced between her and Sloane, who had stopped cleaning to hear my answer.
“He got jealous over Cameron—who, by the way, giant red flag—and decided he wants me after all.”
Sloane frowned. “Go back to the red flag.”
I told them about Cameron and how Dad had more than likely already called all my uncles plus Walker to go scare him off.
“You didn’t sleep with him, did you?” Callie grimaced.
“No, thank God. There were some orange flags. I thought it was Fyfe who was holding me back from sleeping with Cameron, but maybe it was my instincts.”
“Great. So now we have a doctor with possible behavioral issues.” Sloane grimaced too, looking so much like her daughter it was uncanny. “Just what Ardnoch needs.”
“We’ll figure that out later. For now, back to Fyfe.” Callie brought Millie over because she was straining for me. I took her warm weight into my arms as she babbled. I nodded at her, smiling brightly so she’d smile back. At her baby giggle, I melted.
“Fyfe?” Callie insisted.
“I need some time.” I bounced Millie on my knees and she giggled harder. “Don’t I, Millie Billie? Auntie Eilidh needs some time to figure out if your daddy even knows what he really wants. Isn’t that right?”