His smile is so handsome, I’m momentarily blown away. It’s a good thing I’m not trying to date the guy, because he would be hard to resist right now. But since he’s not interested, and I was already thoroughly rejected, I can objectively appreciate his attractive smile with indifference.
A little sour, maybe. Butmostlyindifference.
“Folk would probably call me a handyman, aye,” Gavin says. “I don’t have an official job title. I just…”
“Do a little of everything,” I finish for him. Lifting one foot in the air until it clears the blanket, I twist it in a showy circle. “Like knit?”
He laughs. “No, I didn’t make those socks. My mate did.”
“What a nice friend.”
A shadow passes over his eyes, sobering him. “Indeed. I have many of those.”
Many nice friends. What an odd thing to be sad about. “I used to, also, but then most of them graduated and moved away to find jobs elsewhere.”
“Yet you remained.”
“I couldn’t finish school at that point.” I pull the blanket up around my shoulders. “It wouldn’t give me what I want.”
“What is it you want, Callie?” The genuine curiosity in his open expression lures me into a sense of security again. I feel the cozy warmth I had back in the pub that first night, like I’m safe with Gavin in all the ways. The man is a walking Swiss bank.
WhatdoI want? For Alex to quit school and take his stupid girlfriend with him, obviously. To have a list of new clinical practicum options show up in my email that take me out from under Alex’s girlfriend’s crazy, controlling wing. For the next five years to be done and my doctorate in my hands, so I don’t have to step foot in another classroom. To be able to leave Southern California. To confide all of this in my sister so I don’t feel so alone.
I snap my teeth together. How would it feel to admit these things out loud? I made such a huge deal out of going to UCLA when I graduated high school, of getting out of our NorCal town and having gorgeous, sunny weather year-round, that I gained a reputation for it. And, okay, maybe I let the lie grow over the last few years. It was nice in the beginning. But you start to miss the seasons, too.
I have, at least.
Or maybe it’s people like Alex and his stupid girlfriend Kayla who are making me start to despise everything about my current home. But when your ex leaves you for your teacher and they rub their relationship in your face constantly, it gets a little annoying. And when the new girlfriend is on the faculty and in charge of overseeing important counseling practical sessions that count toward your degree, then proceeds to do everythinghumanly possible to make those miserable, it adds a layer of discomfort.
Then there’s also the whole school thing and how much more I have left of it.
I’m tired just thinking about it.
“I want to fast-forward the next five years,” I say. “Be done with it and move to the next stage of life.”
Gavin blinks at me. “Five years? That’s a fair stretch, that.”
“Indeed it is.” I smile brightly, but this conversation has gone as far as it should. He’s already panicked once about the secrets he needs to keep from my family. He’s wrong if he thinks I’m going to add to that list. “So, Mr. Christmas. What kind of movies do you have?”
He tries to read my face for a moment before seeming to give up. “Believe it or not, we have internet out here in the Highlands. I can stream anything your heart desires.”
“White Christmasfeels fitting right now.”
“We don’t even have to stream that one. I think we’ve got it.” He gets up and rummages through something in the closet before coming back with a DVD resting on his finger up to the first knuckle.
My stomach begins to feel giddy with anticipation. Something in our conversation shifted the feeling in the room a little. He might not be first in line to kiss me, but that doesn’t mean we have to be royal enemies. All those things I said to my sister were a product of my pride taking a beating. Yes, Gavin could’venotput his foot in his mouth so much, but the man has been a decent host. That dinner? Divine. The bacon sandwich? He didn’t have to do that.
Besides, does it get more Christmassy than the quintessential holiday movie in a stone cottage in the Highlands while we’re covered in snow? A little voice reminds me that Luna will expect to watch this with me, but I’m desperate for adistraction. I sink further into the sofa, shoving aside my anxieties and concerns while Gavin cues up the movie.
This is not the time for Alex, Kayla, or school to take up space in my brain. I get to lose myself in Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and all their dry humor and excellent singing, and mark a second thing off of my bucket list: movie night by the fire.
Okay, Scotland, you’re growing on me.
CHAPTER SIX
HIGHLAND HOTTIE
Callie wantsto fast-forward her next five years? She already told me she was tired of being in school and dealing with a teacher who supposedly doesn’t like her, so I imagine it has something to do with that. I wouldn’t know the first thing about managing such a situation, as I’ve been my own boss for years. Ever since I sold the concept for my children’s book series about a dog and squirrel,Leo and Johnnie, I haven’t had to answer to anyone.
