Hamish edges closer to me, as if sensing my growing discomfort. Ryan notices and waves irritably at the sheep.
— Get that thing away from me, will you? I’m trying to have a serious conversation here.
— He’s not bothering anyone, I shoot back.
— Hamish goes where he wants, Keira adds.
— He’s bothering me! Ryan snaps. And what are you even wearing? (he gestures at my simple but elegant outfit) What is that? Where’s the Jane who wore Louboutins to check the mail?
— She discovered the comfort of flats, I reply dryly. Revolutionary, I know.
Ryan shakes his head. Then, in what he clearly believes is a grand romantic gesture, he pulls a small box from his pocket.
— I was going to wait for a better moment, but I can see I need to act fast before you fully turn into… a Highland farm girl.
He flips open the box, revealing a flashy ring that looks like it came straight out of a Las Vegas slot machine.
— Jane Carter, come back to Hollywood with me. I promise you fame, success, and eternal love?—
— At least until your agent decides it’s no longer mutually beneficial, Savannah cuts in.
I stare at the ring, stunned by a proposal so insulting it almost circles back to impressive. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Keira discreetly pulling out her phone, probably to immortalize this surreal moment.
— Ryan, I begin, searching for a diplomatic way to tell him exactly where he can go.
I don’t get the chance to finish.
Hamish—apparently done tolerating this fake proposal—lunges forward and grabs the sleeve of Ryan’s very expensive-looking jacket in his teeth.
— What the— Let go! Ryan yells, trying to pull away.
But Hamish, true to his reputation as the most stubborn sheep in the Highlands, holds firm. He yanks hard, tearing off a sizable piece of fabric and immediately starts chewing it with obvious satisfaction.
— My Tom Ford jacket! Ryan shrieks, horrified. That costs more than this entire village!
The look of pure outrage and panic on his face is so ridiculous I can’t help it—I burst out laughing. A full, unstoppable laugh that rises straight from my chest.
Keira and Savannah join in, their laughter blending with mine as Ryan desperately tries to retrieve the chunk of fabric Hamish is methodically chewing.
— Give me that, you filthy animal! he shouts, awkwardly dodging the headbutts Hamish attempts to deliver.
— I think Hamish has made his opinion on your proposal pretty clear, I manage between laughs.
— This isn’t funny! Ryan snaps. That sheep is dangerous! It should be put down!
That kills my laughter instantly. I step forward, placing myself between him and Hamish in a protective stance.
— You know there are different types of intelligence?
Ryan blinks, then nods slowly.
— I’m afraid none of them apply to you.
Keira bursts out laughing.
— Nice one, Jane!
— So you’d rather stay here than come back with me? Ryan demands, incredulous.
