I wrinkled my nose. “Let’s not call me that.”
“I rather like it.”
“You do know Auld Reekie means Old Smokey?”
“I do.” His smile was unrepentant as he took another quick photograph of me.
“Stop doing that.” I shoved him and he nearly dropped his phone as he righted himself. My lips pursed to stop my laugh at his indignant expression.
“If I’d dropped my phone, you’d pay for it and not monetarily,” he warned, lips twitching with amusement.
“Since you’re so precious about it, I’ll try to be more careful in the future.”
“Precious?” He guffawed.
Giggling, I got on my bike and watched him slip his precious phone into his shirt pocket before getting on his hired bicycle.
He shot me a mock beleaguered look.
“I know from your social media feed that you’ve been to Arthur’s Seat.”
“I have,” he drawled as he pulled up beside me. “Hasn’t everyone who lives here?”
“Depends.” I tilted my head. “But have you been to Dr. Neil’s Garden?”
“Why does that sound like somewhere sinister? Like he lured children there with lollipops.”
I sniggered. “You have such a crooked mind. The garden was created by two doctors and it’s beautiful. Do you want to go there or not?”
“So, there are no lollipops on offer?”
“Are you five?”
“I like to keep my tongue agile.” Sebastian leaned in, the devil twinkling in his eyes. “I’m a very good licker, don’t you know?”
My cheeks heated at the images his words inspired. At once turned on, irritated, and reluctantly amused, I pushed off on my bike. “Keep up, lollipop!” I called over my shoulder.
Thankfully, the rest of the day, Sebastian kept his overt flirting to a minimum. We rode around Arthur’s Seat and ventured into the garden that sat on the banks of Duddingston Loch. While Sebastian strolled off to take photos, I sat down on a bench that faced the water.
When I was here, it felt like I wasn’t even in the city anymore.
I had a million things to do when I got back to the flat, but for now I was enjoying slowing down for a few minutes. And showing Sebastian new places in a city that was abundantly inspirational.
Taking my phone out to snap a few shots of my own, I realized I must have accidentally switched it to silent because I had a missed call from January and a couple texts from her and a few friends. There was also a bunch of notifications from social media and my group chat for my general psychology class.
Sighing, I opened January’s text first.
Maddie said you brought a guy home last night and then you disappeared before she could say hi this morning.
At my lack of response, she’d sent another.
At least tell me you’re alive.
And another.
You better be having the best sex of your life. No other excuse for this silence will do.
And …
