I shrugged him off. “I’m not playing games. Whatever is going on between you two”—I gestured between them—“keep it to yourselves and don’t drag me into it.”
Before either of them could protest, I marched away. I didn’t bother to say goodbye to Ainsley as I shoved past a crowd gathered near the door and hurried from the flat.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CALLAN
There had been times when I’d been frustrated with Baird. Never usually on the pitch, but definitely off.
This went beyond that. I was ragin’.
“What the fuck are you playing at?” I spat at him as I moved to go after Beth.
Baird grabbed my arm, stopping me. “What are you playing at? I know that this is more than just trying to get a meeting with Carmichael or helping Beth. Whatever your history with this lassie is, you’re into her.”
I shook off his hand. “It’s a business deal, Baird. End of.”
“Nah. It’s more than that. So, here’s a wee bit of common sense advice—don’t fuck it up, Cal, by fucking around with women you don’t even want.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You haven’t slept with a lassie in weeks. Sinceher. And you bring her here as your date, fake or otherwise, and you immediately start flirting with Amy? C’mon, man, you wouldn’t even do that to a hookup.” Baird gave me a disappointed look. “You hurt her feelings. Beth’s. I … I wanted you to have a wee taste of your own medicine.”
Shit.
I turned away, scrubbing a hand down my face.
He was right.
Even if Beth and I were only pretending to date, I’d brought her here. I shouldn’t have been flirting with Amy. I … I wanted to prove that I wanted other women.
Amy was gorgeous … but the truth was I felt nothing.
Until I saw Baird touching Beth up in his bedroom.
Then I’d felt something like white-hot fucking jealousy and anger.
This was messed up. “Maybe I should tell her the deal is off.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re right.” I shifted uncomfortably. “I want her.”
“What’s the problem?”
“The deal,” I huffed. “The fact that her dad is Braden Carmichael. The fact that I don’t want a relationship, and she ran a podcast at uni about the search for the right guy.”
Baird narrowed his eyes. “Did she tell you that?”
Heat hit my cheeks. “I might have googled her.”
My friend’s lips twitched. “You sure you don’t want a relationship?”
“You know I don’t.”
“So, you wouldn’t mind if I had a crack at her? You know I’m not averse to finding the right lassie.”
“Baird …” I stepped toward him. “You’re like a brother to me, but if you keep dangling that threat over my head, we’re going to have a problem.”
