It’s always just a kiss, though. We haven’t let it go any further, but I don’t think either of us is fooling ourselves.
I’m leaving soon.
That’s what I keep reminding myself when his hand lingers at the small of my back, or when I catch him watching me with that look that makes my insides turn to liquid heat. I remind myself every time our fingers brush, every time he leans in close, and every time his voice drops low in a way that sends a shiver down my spine.
I’m leaving, and that’s why I’m holding back, but I can’t tell if he’s doing the same because he knows the end is coming or if he’s forcing himself for some other reason. We haven’t talked about it. Haven’t even touched the subject. Part of me wonders if it’s better that way.
I’m pushing all of it to the back of my mind today. I’m bouncing on my feet as I stand by baggage claim, my gaze darting between weary travelers until I spot Bree, and all sense of composure flies out the window.
A squeal bursts out of me, loud, unrestrained, anddeeplyembarrassing. A few strangers turn to stare, but I don’t care. She’s here and that’s all that matters.
We crash into each other like a scene straight out of a dramatic reunion. Full sprint, zero hesitation, arms locked tightbefore either of us can get a word out. The miles, the weeks, the texts don’t quite capture how much I missed her.
“Juliette, my love!” Bree squeezes the air right out of me. “Oh my god, you look amazing. Scotland has beensogood to you.”
“It has been.” I’m grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. “I’m having the best time, but I missed you.”
She pulls back just enough to give me a long, knowing once-over, eyes twinkling with pride. “Well, you look happy, Jules. Like you’re really back to yourself.”
Her words hit me square in the chest, settling in that unguarded place where all the important things live. No one knows me like Bree does. She’s seen every version of me, the shattered and the whole, the lost and the found. For her to notice the change means more than I can put into words.
“Thank you,” I murmur, my voice faltering just a little. “I really needed to hear that.”
Before I can get too emotional in the middle of baggage claim, I loop my arm through hers and steer us toward the carousel. “Come on, let’s grab your stuff. Aunt Rose is dying to see you.”
By the time we pull up to the cottage, my aunt is already at the door. The second Bree steps out of the car, she throws her arms wide and calls, “Hello, my dear adopted niece!”
They’re lost in conversation before I make it inside. I haul Bree’s bags to my room, then collapse onto the loveseat beside my aunt, sighing in relief.
“So, what’s the plan this week?” Aunt Rose asks.
I stretch my legs out, letting my head tip back against the cushion. “We’ll hang out here for a few days,” I say. “Then we’re heading back to Edinburgh. We’ve booked a hotel right across from Waverley Station, so we’ll have a few more days to explore before Bree hasto fly home.”
Aunt Rose hums her approval. “Oh, you two are going to love Edinburgh. So much history, so much to see.”
“Are you going to the distillery to work tomorrow?” I ask. “I was thinking about popping in with Bree for the official tour. Maybe we could meet you there for lunch?”
“Yep, I’ll be there. In fact, I know someone who’d love to meet you, Bree.” Her brows inch up, and her smile turns downright sly.
Bree, never one to miss a beat, gasps dramatically. “Oh,yes! I am so excited to meet the man himself. Jules has spokenveryhighly of him,” she says, shooting me a look so smug I want to shove a pillow in her face. “I can’t wait to see if he lives up to the hype.”
I tip my head back and groan, because of course they’re tag-teaming me. Absolute menaces, both of them. And I must be the world’s biggest sucker, because I still love them anyway.
“Yeah, yeah,” I grumble, crossing my arms. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t take one look at you and run for the hills. We’re a package deal, after all.”
The conversation is cut short when my phone starts ringing. Knox’s name flashes across the screen, and before I can so much as react, Bree’s eyes light up with pure trouble.
“Eep!” she gasps, hands clasped. “Please,pleaselet me answer it.”
I sigh, already knowing there’s no stopping this. I pass her the phone, bracing myself for whatever chaos is about to unfold.
“Hello, new friend,” Bree greets, all sugary sweetness as she puts the call on speakerphone. “How are you on this fine evening?”
A beat of silence, then that familiar, low timbre fills the room. Smooth, rich, and devastatingly calm.
“Ah, hello there. Am I to assume this is Bree?”
She grins, shooting me a look of delight. “Smart man. Juliette said you were, and she usually doesn’t lie.”
