This was such a clusterfuck between us.
It was a shock, then, just as Ewan, Paisley, and I were closing for the day that the bell rang over the door and Heather McQuarrie strolled in. She wore her long hair up in a ponytail and it bounced as she skip-walked toward the barista counter where I stood.
“Hi, Taran.” She stopped before me with a beaming smile.
“Heather … hi. How are you, sweetheart? What are you doing here?”
“Weekend with Dad.” She shrugged and gave Ewan and Paisley a polite nod of hello before turning back to me. “We just got off the ferry. Dad and Angus are picking up fish and chips for tonight’s dinner.”
“That’s nice.” I wasn’t sure, but I think I might have been staring at her like a deer in the headlights. Did her dad know she’d come to speak to me?
“Anyway, tomorrow we’re taking a wee jaunt around the island. Kind of goodbye for now for me since it’s the last time I’ll be here before heading to Glasgow.”
“Right. Of course.”
“We’re taking another picnic with us. And the fishing rods.”
“Great.”
“So, you’ll be at our place for ten?”
I blinked slowly. “How? What?”
“You’ll spend the day with us, right? I really want you to be there. Dad needs some grown-up company and I need some female company.” She grinned innocently, but I saw the devious wee twinkle in her eyes.
“Did … did you run this by your dad?”
“Of course! Okay, I have to go, but be at the house tomorrow at 10 a.m. See you then!” She waved and hurried out of the shop, her ponytail swinging from side to side with her speedy departure.
Ewan sidled up next to me. “When the kids approve of you, that’s when you’re in trouble.”
“Aye, thanks for stating the obvious.”
“You’re welcome.” He patted me on the shoulder with a chuckle and walked over to the door to lock up.
Heart racing, I strode into the staff room and pulled out my phone. I had a text from Cammie inviting London, Tierney, and me to dinner at hers. I shot a quick “I’ll be there” before finding Quinn in my contacts.
Heather just invited me to spend the day with you tomorrow.
It was only as I approached Cammie’s house twenty minutes later that my phone buzzed. I pulled in behind Tierney’s brightly colored Suzuki SUV and switched off the engine before I yanked my phone out of my purse.
Quinn had replied.
What did you say to her?
My heart sank. Not the reply I was hoping for.
I was so confused.
She didn’t really give me much of a chance to say yes or no.
Three dots bounced on the screen.
Do you want to say no?
Scowling, I replied,
Do you want me to say no?
