She slides a mussel into her mouth and a dribble of cream escapes, running down her chin. She laps it up, tongue darting out pink, and then licks around her lips for good measure, scooping up the last of the drip with her finger and sucking it clean.
I almost let out another groan. It’s indecent, that’s what it is. I can’t help but picture those full lips, wrap around my—
Friends, I admonish myself.That’s what she wants, Angus. For you to be friends.
It’s for the best. I made a promise: no more feelings. No more commitments. No more letting someone in, when they’ll only leave. There’s no reason for Rowan to be any different, even if I’ve been dangerously close to believing she is. At the end of the day, she’s a city girl, who’ll run as soon as something difficult crops up.
She did the walk. The thought pops up, unhelpfully.You didn’t think she was going to, but she did.
Stubborn. Tougher than I’d expect. A quick learner.
Kind.
Thoughtful.
Beautiful.
And her laugh. Turns out, I can spend a lot of time listening to that laugh. Maybe even a lifetime.
Where did that come from? I squash the thought and return to my food.
It doesn’t matter anyway. She wants to be friends.
“Didn’t fancy camping with us tonight?” Ewan eyes Rowan’s bag, which she’s deposited by the table while the rest of us left ours at the campsite we passed on the way into Fort William.
“No,” she says happily. “Tent’s fucked. And tonight… Tonight I want a real bed. With a real mattress and a real duvet, and enough space that I can starfish to my heart’s content.”
“That does sound nice,” Priya says wistfully.
“Tomorrow, baby.” Lila puts a hand on hers and squeezes. “One more night of adventuring, and you’ll be back home and you can starfish all you like.”
“My bed’s only a single. You can’t starfish in a single.” Priya demonstrates, sticking out her arms and legs like a scarecrow, narrowly avoiding taking out a passing waitress with a tray laden with dishes and glasses. “Your arms and legs hang off.”
“Well, your dad won’t be back yet, so you can sleep with me.”
“Really?” Priya lights up, then frowns. “You never let me sleep with you anymore.”
“Just tomorrow night. It will be a treat – for surviving our big adventure.”
“It has been an adventure, hasn’t it?” Priya sighs happily. “The best adventure ever.”
“Maybe for you.” Ewan gestures at his bandaged ankle under the table. “I could have done with a bit less adventure.”
“But look at your personal growth,” Rowan offers. “Beating the odds. Making friends. Learning to ask for help.”
Ewan rolls his eyes. “Fuck personal growth – sorry, Lila – I was fine before.” Then he softens. “Reckon Caleb’s happy though. Oh, yeah, before I forget.” He grabs his phone and points it at the table. “On the count of three: say shit balls!”
“Oh for god’s sake—” But Lila is interrupted by the rest of the group chorusing “Shit balls!” as he snaps a picture.
“Mint.” He puts the phone away. “Reckon Mary – that’s Caleb's mum – will be well pleased with that.”
“So, what’s next? Another hike?” Lila asks him.
“Are you insane? I’m never going outside again. Well, except for a game with the lads maybe.” Ewan shakes his head. “No, I’m done with this. And sport psychology. Don’t know why I ever thought that was a bit of me in the first place.”
“You’re dropping out then?”
He rubs a hand over his head. “Yeah. Mum won’t be happy, but… she’ll get over it. No, if this has made me realise anything it’s that I hate roughing it, I hate sleeping in a stupid tent and listening to the stupid cows and having to tramp over the stupid fields. I want to be rich. Filthy, stinking, millionaire rich.” Ewan narrows his eyes at Rowan. “Hey, London, got any room for a friend to stay?”
