Baird frowned. “Sorry. I … thought he needed a nudge.”
“A nudge for what?” I threw my hands up. “It’s not like that between us.”
“Eh … is that why my best pal looks like he wants to throttle me? Whatisbetween you? He won’t tell me.”
“There’s nothing.”
Baird shook his head. “Oh, there’s something.”
“Everything all right up here?”
I startled at his voice, whirling to find Callan on the steps. “We’re fine.” As I hurried downstairs toward him, Callan descended to let me out. Baird followed.
We’d all just stepped into the hall when Amy appeared. Her eyes were bright enough to give away that she was very, very tipsy. “There you are!” She latched onto Callan, sliding her arm through his.
I didn’t blame her.
I’d only caught a glimpse of their interaction and knew he had been giving her all the right signals.
It shouldn’t have bothered me as much as it did. We hadn’t exactly discussed the details of our fake-dating deal.
“Ainsley was telling me about the guest room, and we really should check it out,” Amy announced not so subtly.
“I’m going to head back home.” I gave Baird a small smile. “Thanks for the invite.”
“I’ll walk you.” Callan moved toward me, and Amy’s expression slackened with horror.
“Oh my God, are you two together? I’m so sorry!” She comically dropped Callan’s arm like it was on fire.
“No, we’re not,” I rushed to reassure her, still not meeting Callan’s eyes. If I was honest with myself, I was pissed off. “I’ll see you all later.”
“I’llwalk you home.” Baird stepped toward me.
Callan cut him a dark look. “No, I will.”
Irritated, I bristled. “I can walk myself home.”
“Not at this time in the evening.” Baird shook his head adamantly, then made a shooing gesture to Callan. “Take Amy to see the guest room. I’ll look after Beth.”
“Like fuck you will.”
At Callan’s growl, Amy sighed and stared up at the ceiling. “I wanted to hook up with someone, not get in the middle of other people’s drama.” She narrowed her eyes at Baird. “Which one of your teammates is actually single?”
“There are a few, but Perry or John are your best bet. John just broke up with a lassie, so he’s on the rebound. Orme, of course.”
“I’m not sleeping with my best friend’s wee brother.” Amy appeared considering. “John seems like he’d take care of a woman first.” She sauntered away in search of a good time, and I had to admit I was envious of her ability to go after what she wanted.
“He might look like a gentleman, but that one is a kinky bastard,” Baird called after her.
“Ooh, even better!”
Baird turned back to us, grinning.
But I wasn’t in the mood for grinning.
I could feel Callan glaring at me, as if willing me to look at him, but I wouldn’t. How dare he flirt with Amy, eye her like she was his next meal, and then get territorial over me. “I’m going home. Alone.”
Callan reached out to grasp my arm as I moved to leave. “Not alone.”
