I texted Amanda through blurry vision.
Can we talk at school 2moro? Callan isn’t a problem anymore.
She replied that we could.
That night I cried myself to sleep.
And the next morning, my dad did ask me about Callan. I had to cover how heartbroken I was as I lied and said I didn’t know him, just that he was in the year above me. When Dad told me I was to stay away from him, I faked questioning him about why because it was something I’d do, and I didn’t want to raise suspicion. Dad said his father wasn’t a good man, and he didn’t want me getting mixed up with the family. It took everything within me not to break down and cry as I promised him I’d stay away from Callan.
Mum caught the tail end of the conversation, and I could tell by her stony silence she didn’t agree.
My parents rarely fought in any meaningful way. The tension between them worried me.
And so I’d keep my promise to my dad. Because no matter what it cost me, I would never hurt my parents. Callan’s father had betrayed my dad in the worst way possible. The mention of that history was a sore spot with Mum and Dad. Though I knew Callan didn’t have a good relationship with Gavin, he was still in his life and always would be. Amanda was hurt by my attempts to date Callan too. Our friendship was on the line on top of everything else.
In my muddled teenage mind and tangled heart, I thought that meant I had to choose.
And I was Beth Carmichael.
I’d always choose my family.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
BETH
Present day
Friday evening, I walked into Wahaca, excited to meet with Sheera and do whatever it took to land Aura Beauty as a client.
When the waiter led me over to the table, however, I slowed almost to a halt at the sight of Samuel Green. And no Sheera.
“Beth.” Samuel stood and rounded the table to greet me. He bent his head and brushed a dry kiss across my cheek.
I stopped myself from flinching. “H-hullo.”
At my questioning gaze, he grimaced. “Unfortunately, something came up and Mother can’t make dinner. So you’ve got me instead. Not a poor substitute, I hope.”
“O-of course not.” My stomach fell as I took a seat at the table.
I’d been surprised when Samuel texted me that Sheera was meeting me at Wahaca. She definitely seemed more of a Palm Court type than someone who would enjoy the laid-back, colorful, but industrial vibe of Wahaca. Not to mention eating food with your hands.
Deciding I’d gotten Sheera wrong, I’d been excited by the choice because it meant she wanted to eat somewhere I loved. And surely that was a good sign. So, I’d dressed for the occasion, cute but casual in a strappy pink and green summer dress that buttoned down the front. So certain of myself, I’d even paired the dress with Converse.
Now watching the way Samuel’s gaze roamed over my breasts and hips, I had a sneaking suspicion I’d been conned.
Sheera was never in Edinburgh, and this was all a ruse to get me here.
Honestly, I could barely concentrate as we perused the menu. Samuel asked about my week, and I reciprocated, but it felt stilted because inside I was panicking. If Samuel wanted to date me (and clearly only for superficial reasons because we gelled as well as oil and water), how did I say no without upsetting a potential client? Not just any client. The biggest client I’d ever hoped to score.
As our food arrived, it became clear Samuel was done asking me questions. He started talking about himself, his job, his penthouse apartment on Simpson Loan. I couldn’t tell if he was trying to impress me or if this was the inane rubbish he found interesting. Or maybe he thought because of who my family was, I’d find it interesting.
He was boring, but he wasn’t bad-looking. Should I date him? Maybe he’d grow on me.
“… So my mother really loves the Aston Martin, but I love the Ferrari. And I’m the one who’s going to be driving it.” He shrugged smugly. “I definitely think I’m more of a Ferrari man.”
Nope. I couldn’t do it.
I could not date this man.
