“Oh, gosh.” She grabbed his arms to steady herself. “I’m so sorry.”
“No, it was my fault. I s-snuck in behind you.”
It was true. He should be gone by now. Everyone else who’d done the class probably was. “Is everything okay?”
“I just wanted to tell you that you l-look nice today. Happy.”
She swallowed. Her last few encounters with Hamish had made her a bit more cautious around him, just because she didn’t want to lead him on. “Iamhappy. Thank you.”
“Is it because you’re back with Lock?”
Her mouth opened. She hadn’t been expecting such a direct question, but maybe she should have. “I’m back with him, yes, and he does make me happy.”
Disappointment flashed in his eyes, making Callie hate herself for being honest. But at the same time, she didn’t want to lie to the guy. And maybe it was good for him to know she was taken.
“You deserve to be happy.”
He quickly turned and headed toward the door, making guilt slither in her belly. Sheshouldn’tfeel guilty, but she couldn’t help it.
“Wait.” She chased after him and grabbed his arm. When he turned, she softened her voice. “Your perfect woman will show up one day, Hamish, and you’ll realize that she’s the one you’ve been waiting for all along. I promise.”
He swallowed. “Th-thanks.”
“In fact, there’s this girl—” She stopped at the sight of two men leaving a store across the road. One of them looked up and caught her eye through the window, a smirk on his face.
Argh. It was those bullies, the ones who’d shoved Hamish and laughed about it.
Hamish turned his head to follow her gaze.
“Just wait in here until they leave,” she said quietly.
He frowned. “I’m not scared of them.”
“I never said you were. I just think avoiding them is best.”
For some reason, that response seemed to make him almost angry. Without a word, he swung toward the door.
“Hamish—”
But he was already outside and crossing the street toward them.
What was he doing? She chased after him, but man, his long legs made it hard.
“What’s your problem?” Hamish shouted from halfway across the road.
One guy’s brows rose. “What?”
“You were smirking at us. You think you can just treat people however you want?”
“Actually, I know I can.”
Hamish shoved him against a car. The guy shoved Hamish back, but unlike last time, Hamish didn’t move.
Immediately, the jerk’s friend rounded the car. “Hey, you got a problem with us?”
“Yeah, I do,” Hamish snarled.
“Don’t know why,” Asshole One scoffed. “We’re not the freak with the stutter.”
