Page 52 of The Tartan Thesis

“Nothing,” I say. “I’ll talk to you later. Merry Christmas.”

“Nollaig Shona.”

But I lied to Maeve. I was actually thinking that maybe, just maybe, I will get my Christmas romance this year.

17

Torin

The Proclaimers

Translation: Incredible musical duo from Scotland

Usage: To describe one of the best bands of the ’80s and ’90s

I pace the length of my flat for what must be the tenth time, wearing a faint path into the rug between the beat-up sofa and the window. Every few steps I glance down at my phone, waiting for it to light up.

When it finally does, Beau’s message flashes across the screen.

Beau

On my way!

God, I’m anxious. I’m still shocked I invited him to spend the holidays with my family. I’m pleased he agreed to come, but that just adds to my anxiety. Because now there’s something to lose. I’ve only taken one guy home before, and that relationship ended badly enough that my sister still alternates between sympathetic and angry noises when his name comes up. The memory surfaces uninvited: James sitting at our kitchen table pretending to care while my dad chatted about the farm. What if that happens again? What if Beau turns out to be like James, happy to spend time with me while it’s convenient, happy to borrow my notes and my knowledge, then breaking things off when it’s time for him to go home?

I push the thought away, but another one quickly replaces it.

What if he sees where I grew up and looks down on me for it? I haven’t seen his childhood home, but a guy with a trust fund probably didn’t spend his childhood wrestling disgruntled sheep out of the mud before school. I pause in the middle of the room and force myself to breathe. The air in the flat smells faintly of the coffee I made earlier, and the quiet hum of the radiator fills the silence while I examine my concerns in an attempt to set them aside.

First, there’s no reason to be nervous because Beau and I are not dating. We are colleagues—friends, even—but nothing more. He’s given me no indication to believe otherwise. Other than agreeing to join me in the Highlands for the holidays… and that one time we almost kissed… But I’m sure he only accepted my offer because it’s a better option than going to Ireland, much less being alone in Edinburgh. He’s coming with me because of the learning opportunities. That’s all.

I take another breath and begin pacing again. Second, I have no reason to think that he will condescend to me or my family. No matter how different our means might be, Beau is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. With a face and physique like that, he could be an absolute prat and get away with it, but there doesn’t appear to be a mean bone in his body, except as a defense mechanism, one that I won’t be triggering again.

Another deep breath. Everything will be fine.

My phone buzzes.

Freya

Are you here yet??

Torin

Not quite. We’ll be on our way soon.

Freya

The hot American is driving you?

I frown at the screen.

Torin

How do you know he’s hot?

Freya

I didn’t, but thank you for confirming my suspicions