Alec immediately sinks down onto one knee. He looks up at me with pained grey eyes, like I’m a princess who’s either about to pardon him or order his execution. My heart beats even faster.
“Summer,” he says, his voice rough. “Every decision I’ve ever made in my entire life has been about obligation. I’ve never picked the option that made me happy. I never really thought it mattered.” He swallows thickly. “But when you came to Lochview, it’s like you turned all the lights on. I love you. I love you more than this land, more than my own life. The last week has been hell without you. I know I don’t deserve you, but if you stay with us, I’ll spend the rest of my life finding ways to. Please. Please stay with us. Please let me be near you. I’ll say it a thousand times if I have to.”
Holy shit.
Fraser clears his throat and also drops to one knee. “Look, lass,” he says. “I don’t have any land to build you property on like this eejit, but I do have onehellof a bum, and it’s all yours, if you want it.”
“I cannae kneel for you,” Cameron says quietly from behind them both. His moss-green eyes are locked on mine. “But I love you, Summer. Love all of you. All your sparkles and ridiculous shoes. Love you when you’re happy, and when you’re upset. All of it.” His jaw tightens. “Don’t go.”
I take a deep breath. My heart feels like it’s bursting out of my chest. Outside the window, a cloud that was covering the sun drifts away. Afternoon sunlight flushes the cabin, turning everything rose gold. I look at the three men, and I have never felt more certain about anything in my life.
“Okay,” I say. “Since you asked so nicely…yes.”
Alec straightens. “You mean…”
I nod and try to slip the key into my pocket. Then I realise I don’t have a pocket, and I put it down my bra instead. “Yes. I’ll stay at Lochview. I’ll be with all three of you. I love you all too.”
God. Three boyfriends. How lucky can a girlget?
Alec steps forwards, his face pale. “C-can I kiss you?”
“I’d love that.”
He cups my face with trembling, paint-smeared hands, like he can’t quite believe he gets to touch me. When our lips touch, it’s devastating. The relief pouring off him is dizzying. I kiss him over and over again, my head spinning, and he gathers me closer to him, heart pounding.
“I love you,” he murmurs on repeat. “I’m sorry. I love you.”
“All right,” Fraser says eventually. “That’s enough of that. You gotta learn to share.” He grabs my waist, twirls me on the spot like a ballerina, and crushes his mouth to mine. I sigh, warmed all over. Kissing Fraser after Alec always feels like a ray of sunshine after a storm—meltingly warm and safe.
“Love you, London,” he murmurs. “You’re never leaving again. I’m so proud of you.”
“Proud?” I shiver.
“Aye.” His mouth twists. “I think they could hear you yelling at Alec all the way down at the village.”
I freeze. “You mean?—”
“When you were calling him a selfish git, aye.” He strokes my blushing cheeks. “No, no, don’t look embarrassed. Cameron says when you first got here, you couldn’t even tell a slime in the pub you weren’t interested. This is major character development.”
I smile and look over his shoulder at Cameron. He’s hanging back, arms crossed, like he doesn’t want to interrupt. When I hold out a hand, he immediately comes to my side.
He doesn’t kiss me. Just buries his face in the curve of my neck. “Don’t go again,” he says into my throat.
“I love you,” I tell him, and he shudders all over. I feel Alec and Fraser draw closer, the warmth of the three men’s bodies surrounding me. There’s the sound of hooves on wood as Crumpet trots up. She pads around us as if to remind us she’s part of this too.
Fraser nuzzles my cheek affectionately. “So…what do you want to do now, London?”
I pull away from them. Outside the window, I can faintly hear laughter and music playing. “Sounds like everyone is celebrating,” I say slowly.
Alec nods, stroking my hip. “Aye.”
None of us says anything.
I look at the squashy pink sofa. “That looks really soft.”
“Aye,” Fraser agrees hoarsely.
I bite my lip. “Hey. So, just out of scientific interest, do you guys think all four of us would physically fit?—”
