Page 56 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

Evan had his back to me.

I started to approach and was about to tap him on the shoulder. I was thinking about telling him about the call with Octavia just now so I could get it off my chest. I’d confided in him about my parents just now, so why not this? He was a good listener.

But as I drummed up my nerve to talk to him, I noticed he was engaged in an animated conversation with someone.

It was only as I drew closer, that I recognised who he was talking to. It was Sacha.

I screeched to an embarrassed halt. They were both laughing.

My breath trapped itself in my throat as she stretched out one hand and rested it on Evan’s arm. She was gazing up at him, her lips slightly parted, and every so often, she threw her head back in an exaggerated laugh. She was dolled up in black, strappy kitten heels and a glittery dark jacket, and she was wearing charcoal leather trousers that looked like they’d been sprayed on.

My stomach twisted.

She must’ve noticed the staring woman with the long, mink-coloured hair, because she dragged her attention away from Evan and gave me a look.

But I remained rooted to the spot in morbid fascination as she leant up and pushed that stubborn lock of dark hair back from Evan’s forehead.

And I’d been blaming Dane for being a compulsive flirt. At least he was open about what he was. You knew what you were getting into. But Evan, with his straight moral compass demeanour … had he been playing me for an idiot these last few days? Letting me think he was genuine, when in fact he was a deceiver like Leon?

There was more laughter burbling between Sacha and Evan. I felt such an idiot. But it was my own fault. The pain I was feeling was self-inflicted. I’d suspected there was something still lurking between them, and it looked like I’d been proven right.

Dane finished singing the band’s latest song on their setlist about a lost love, and the riotous applause took off again.

I managed to clap and pin a smile on my face as Dane caught my eye from the stage. ‘Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do.’ He crooned into the mike. His light eyes were glittering. I suspected he’d downed a few pints.

On hearing Dane mention my name, Evan spun round.

His expression was unreadable.

Sacha followed his gaze, and her mouth flatlined when she saw Evan looking back at me.

I stared ahead towards the stage and waved at Dane. I knew I was being petty, but I gave him what I hoped was my most dazzling smile. What was the matter with me? What did I think I was doing? Was I trying to make Evan jealous?

Evan’s jaw clenched.

I folded my arms and wrapped them around myself for comfort as Evan was then barrelled by Sacha right past me and out of the pub.