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Is Hugh's lip trembling? And could those be tears in his eyes? I've never seen Hugh look so emotional before.
But he brushes it off swiftly and stands up to address the crowd. "Thank you. I'm happy to be a member of the barmiest clan on earth. May we all be crackers together."
Of course he has to be sarcastic. That's Hugh.
Every MacTaggart claps or cheers or whoops.
To know Hugh has been jealous of me eases some of my guilt. We've both assumed the other has a perfect life and perfect family, but perfection doesn't exist. We need to stop blaming ourselves for not having everything we want and instead look for ways to improve our own lives. I tell Kate and Hugh that as the three of us walk through the garden and across the driveway, on our way to the vestibule door.
Kate kisses my cheek. "You are a very smart man."
Hugh sighs with his usual sarcasm. "He's clever, but I'm a wee numpty. Is that about it?"
I drape an arm across his shoulders. "Well, ye did fail to notice the dead obvious signs that Kate and I were shagging."
"Will I never live that down?"
"Aye, ye will. In a few decades."
Once we get inside the castle, Kate suggests we go into the sitting room, where it's "cozy and comfy." The coziest, most comfortable place I know of is the bed I've been sharing with her, but I won't say that in front of Hugh. The poor sod has already lost a woman to me. Willnae rub salt on his wounds. It wouldn't be sporting.
"Stop that," Hugh says. "I can tell by the look on your face that you're extremely pleased with yourself."
"And you're jealous that I'm pleased with myself because you're a whingeing ersehole."
"We need a shinty rematch, just you and me. Then we'll see who's whingeing."
Kate grins and laughs. "Glad to see you guys are back."
Hugh gives her a confused look. "We were never gone."
"Not physically, but you did get mad at each other and almost ruin a beautiful friendship."
"Bygones, pet. If we're over it, you should be too."
"If that's true, then we should head into the great hall for the dinner party."
"We're having a dinner party?" I say. "With the whole clan?"
"Uh, no. Most of them are heading home. But Emery insisted we all need to celebrate the moment when you guys finally made up. She's been planning this party since before she found me at the airport."
"Aye, Emery always has a plan."
"Kirsty assured her you two would kiss and make up, so she acted accordingly."
"Let me guess," Hugh says. "Kirsty foresaw it with her da-shiva whatever-it-is."
"Da-shealladh," I say. "Learn to pronounce it. Gaelic isn't that hard to learn."
Kate turns away, walking toward the door, and glances over her shoulder at us. "Hurry it up, boys. Everyone's waiting."
Chapter Thirty-Two
Kate
Dinner was amazing. I've never shared a meal with that many people, but somehow, it still felt like an intimate family gathering. We sat at one long table that was created by pushing several smaller ones together until the whole thing filled up three-fourths of the great hall. Since Emery arranged this as a buffet-style affair, we got to try all sorts of dishes, from traditionally Scottish to world cuisine. So yeah, at one point, my plate was filled with haggis, hot dogs, and empanadas.
Last night, I slept better than I had in years. Sleeping with Callum always makes me feel that way, but it's especially true now. Knowing Hugh and Callum have saved their friendship removes the last traces of my anxiety. I'm not even worried about what the future might hold. For the first time, I trust that everything will work out.
