We were doing it a wee bit earlier than we’d usually plan since Mum and Dad were leaving for Asia tomorrow for a three-week trip. They were visiting Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand.
Mum hated getting her photo taken, but she was cool to Mhairi as she took snaps of Mum solo with the castle in the background and then with the city behind her. We switched it up and took some shots of her with the book too.
The place was packed because it was August, but we had permission to be on the premises, so someone from the castleserved as our rep and directed tourists away from our small group.
“So …,” Mhairi said quietly as she took a few more shots of Mum. “We haven’t had a chance to talk since the newspaper thing. What’s going on there?”
It felt like the millionth time someone had asked me that question.
Monday morning, Callan and I had awoken from another sexathon to texts and calls from family, friends, and Callan’s publicist. TheScottish Starhad published photographs of me and Callan at the Aura Beauty party. One was a pretty good photo of us smiling, Callan’s arm relaxed around my waist. We looked good together. The other photo was one we were unaware of. We were sitting at the table, Callan’s head bent toward me as he whispered in my ear. It was purely innocent, but my bare leg was on view and his hand was on my knee.
The headline readKEEN BAGS A POSH WAG.
WAG stood forWives and Girlfriendsof professional athletes. It wasn’t the most progressive title.
Even though the article divulged we’d stated we hadn’t confirmed we were dating, the journalist insinuated from our body language that we were. They, of course, mentioned my name and my semi famous parents. The only positive thing was the article mentioned Social Queens, and we’d gained a bunch of new followers. I could only hope it translated to new clients too.
I’d had to phone my parents to tell them it was a lie and that Callan and I were just friends, and I’d texted back my cousins and friends, all asking about the article. Callan’s publicist had suggested we not respond, and Callan didn’t seem at all bothered by it. His only concern was that I was ruffled by the exposure.
The truth was, I hated lying to my family. But I also didn’t know how to explain to them that Callan and I were casualwithout that unleashing a maelstrom of concern and well-intended interference.
My fault, really, for having been so public about my desire to find Mr. Right.
Yet, I couldn’t help myself with Callan. The last few days were the first in a long time that I felt relaxed and destressed. Life seemed a little less overwhelming, and I was tackling work with renewed energy.
Mhairi, however, was impartial. We hadn’t known each other long, and she seemed cool and nonjudgmental. “We’re a no-strings kind of situation.”
“Oh, really?” Mum called out in her husky voice.
I looked back and realized she’d somehow overheard. “Bat ears, woman,” I huffed.
Mum grimaced and bridged the distance between us. She took hold of my elbow. “Excuse us, ladies.”
“Mum, we have to get this done.”
“This will only take a minute.” She led me away from our group until they were out of earshot. Mum searched my face. “You’re sleeping with this guy? You said you weren’t. Is that why you got a meeting for him with your dad?”
I shook my head. “That happened before. He’s … my friend.”
“That you’re having sex with?”
“Aye, but just sex.”
“When have you ever been ajust sexkind of person?”
“I’ve had casual sex.”
She raised an eyebrow. “But it’s not what you want. You’ve made that clear. So I’m guessing he’s the one who doesn’t want a serious relationship.”
“You would be correct. He doesn’t ‘do’ relationships.”
“Beth—”
“Honestly, Mum, it’s working for me right now. I’m enjoying myself. So no harm, no foul, right?”
She considered this. “Your dad told you who he is.”
“He did. But he’s got no affiliation with Gavin beyond biological. Like I told Dad, Callan lost his mum and his stepdad, whom he considered his real dad, when he was a kid.”
