Page 25 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands

Bella knew there was truth to Skye’s words and the thought had crossed her mind too. ‘We’ve promised each other that we’ll make the time as soon as we can, don’t worry.’

‘Where would you want to go if you were going right after your wedding?’ Skye asked.

Bella smiled. ‘I’ve always wanted to go to Tuscany. There’s something magical about the images you see online,’ she said dreamily. ‘I’d love to see Florence, and if we went in winter, I’d want to experience the Cavalcade of the Magi. I’ve seen videos online and it looks amazing. I’d love to stay in a pretty, romantic hotel overlooking a piazza, and having a trip to a vineyard would be amazing.’

‘Now you’re talking,’ Olivia said. ‘It’s a shame you can’t go sooner. But it will be wonderful when you do eventually get there. It’s something to look forward to.’

Bella sighed, trying not to let her disappointment show. ‘Aye, we’ll get there at some point… hopefully.’

Olivia clearly thought it best to change the subject. ‘Anyway, how is the hotel refurb going?’

‘Really well. It’s been a slow process compared to the distillery but it’s getting there now. I’m trying to only go to the site if it’s absolutely necessary, to be honest,’ Bella replied.

‘Oh no, does that mean the manager is still flirting with you?’ Skye asked.

Bella took a sip of the sweet bubbles in her glass and placed it down. ‘Not really, he seems to have got the message, finally,’ she lied. ‘But from the way he behaves it seems he’s so used to getting what, and who, he wants. I mean, okay, he may sound like, and have the body of Matthew McConaughey, and I think that’s why he was a little shocked when I turned him down. Like he was thinking, “But why would you pass me up?” but not all women fawn over men like that. I’m happy with Harris, thank you very much.’

Skye scoffed. ‘Conceited pig. You’d think the diamond on your left hand would’ve been a massive giveaway that you weren’t interested.’

The waitress arrived and placed plates of mouthwatering food on the table in front of each of them. The quiche was deep with a pastry base and crust that Bella knew from sight only would melt in her mouth.

Bella shook her head and shrugged. ‘I honestly got the impression that my relationship status didn’t matter to him. He’s seen me talking with Harris on the phone and how loved up we are, and he still pursued me. It’s almost like that makes the chase more amusing for him.’

Olivia reached out and squeezed her arm. ‘Well, let’s hope he’s finally taken no for an answer.’

‘Hmm, let’s hope so because there’s only so many times I can bump into him while he’s shirtless and trouserless before I’ll be talking to Harris, or his parents, about him anyway.’

Olivia and Skye paused with their forks en route to their mouths and shared a wide-eyed glance. ‘He walks around shirtless and trouserless?’ they both said in unison.

Bella felt her cheeks warming at the admission. ‘It’s only happened a couple of times but that’s plenty. I mean, okay, he’s ripped and looks like he’s walked off the cover of Men’s Health… I mean he actually was a model for catalogues, but it’s inappropriate and I’ve told him so. He acted all innocent and made out like I’d caught him unawares, but the timing was too convenient for my liking.’

Olivia gasped and shook her head. ‘What possible reason could he have for taking off his clothes around you?’

Bella almost wished she hadn’t mentioned that bit now, she was trying to deal with it herself. ‘Like I say, it’s only been a couple of times.’

‘The first time was too many!’ Skye insisted.

Bella sighed. ‘Yes… I know. The first time it happened I’d turned up for our first meeting and he’d been cutting down the ivy on the front of the building and he was all sweaty.’ She shivered at the memory. ‘But he knew I was coming and at what time, so he had plenty of opportunity to shower and dress before I arrived. He didn’t apologise or anything. It’s just not professional.’

‘It’s very sus,’ Skye mumbled through a mouthful of food. ‘He’s clearly trying to seduce you.’

‘Hmm,’ Bella nodded in agreement. When she had swallowed, she continued, ‘The second time he had been working out and he showed up in a pair of those tight boxers. And again, we’d made an appointment so it’s not like me turning up was a surprise that caught him off guard. Not only was he half naked but he was late too.’

Olivia shook her head. ‘He probably thinks you’ll love seeing him in a state of undress. Especially seeing as he’s a former model. Some women might but you’re engaged. What an arrogant arse. Clearly loves himself.’

‘Oh yes, and then some.’

‘It’s not good though, Bells,’ Skye insisted. ‘If he’s really persistent, that’s sexual harassment in the workplace and there are laws against that kind of thing.’

Bella felt her face heating. ‘Anyway, enough about me, how’s wee Freya, Liv? I can’t believe she’s only four months from being two. And Theo is four flipping months? Where has the time gone?’

Skye reached into her handbag. ‘Here, look at his cheeky chubby little face.’ She handed over her phone to Bella, of course the camera roll was full of candid snaps of the infant and his dad.

‘He looks just like Ben,’ Bella said with her hand over her heart. ‘Such a cutie.’

‘And my little twenty-month-old has quite the temper on her if she doesn’t get her own way,’ Olivia said. ‘Not actually sure where she gets that from! Her favourite word is no.’

Bella laughed. ‘Oh, heck, and that’s before the terrible twos phase.’ She turned to Skye. ‘How’s the feeding going?’ Skye had struggled at first and had almost given up.