—She’d make a much better Lady than me, I mutter despite myself.
—Is that really what you think?
—Look at her, Callum! She’s perfect. She knows every Scottish tradition, speaks with the perfect accent, knows whichfork to use at your endless formal dinners—and unlike me, she’s never been afraid of a sheep in her life.
Hamish nudges me again, as if personally offended.
—Don’t worry, Hamish. You’re the exception.
Callum watches me with an unreadable expression, then—unexpectedly—bursts out laughing.
—You’re arguing with a sheep, Jane.
—So? He’s more reliable than most humans I’ve met today.
His laughter fades, replaced by something deeper—more intense.
—That’s not what I want, Jane. I don’t want a perfect woman. I don’t want someone who already knows all the traditions, who knows which fork to use, or who’s afraid of nothing.
He steps closer.
—I want the woman who turned a cold, austere castle into a place where people laugh. Who won over my grandmother with her wit—and even my mother with her determination. Who discovered she had a natural talent for archery… and who talks to sheep like they understand her.
I feel my resolve start to crack—but the image of him with Heather is still there, sharp and painful. And then…
—Max called me, I say abruptly.
His expression shifts.
—Max? Your agent?
—In the flesh.
I take a deep breath.
—He told me Martin Scorsese wants to meet me for a role. It’s… it’s the opportunity of a lifetime, Callum.
I watch his face close off, slipping into that neutral expression he uses when he wants to hide everything he’s feeling.
—I see, he says simply. And what did you tell him?
—That I needed to think. But casting starts in two weeks. If I want to go, I have to be in Los Angeles. Soon.
The wordhomealmost slips out, but I catch myself. Is Los Angeles still home? I’m not so sure anymore.
—Is that what you want? he asks, his voice steady.
And there it is. The question.
Do I want to leave? To go back to my career? To walk away from this life I’ve started to build? From Callum?
Part of me is convinced he’d be relieved if I left. Heather is here—patient, perfect, ready to step back into place. He could return to his orderly, predictable life, without an American actress turning everything upside down.
It would be easier.
But I can’t say that out loud.
—I don’t know what I want, I admit. A few hours ago, I was certain I’d found my place here. Now…
