“Hey, that was for everyone’s benefit.”
Elspeth smiled. “Maybe a concert would help get us out of the red. I didn’t want to worry either of you, but the pub is doing worse than I originally thought.”
William’s eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
Elspeth sucked in a breath. “If we can’t turn a profit in the next few months, I’ll have to sell.”
I nearly spit out my water. “Oh my god, Elle! Why didn’t you tell me?”
William sat back and wiped his mouth. I hadn’t realized he had eaten his plate clean.
“You were already helping me so much with Mom, and you have your parents’ shop to worry about. Plus, William is here now.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll figure this all out.” William took a sip of his drink, and I watched his throat with rapt attention. “My mum’s got the inn taken care of, and we’re finally in a good place with all the renovations.”
I gathered my courage and decided to initiate a conversation for once. “Elle told me you guys had a big property out there.”
William gave me his direct attention, and I tried not to squirm. “Yeah, after I served, I spent the next four years helping Mum renovate this old manor we inherited. Some distant uncle died and gave it to her in his will. Now it’s a pretty successful bed-and-breakfast.”
Elspeth looked at me excitedly. “We have to go see it this year.”
I got up to replenish William’s plate. Our fingers brushed as I took it from him, and my skin tingled from his rough texture. “Maybe, yeah.”
Taking time off work at my parents’ store was another battle waiting to happen. I never traveled, and they’d be relentless in finding a “chaperone” or would buy a ticket to follow me themselves if they had to.
I returned with another full plate for William and tentatively broached the subject. “I called Angus. Is he coming?”
William’s nostrils flared, and his jaw ticked. “I wouldn’t know. Haven’t spoken to him.”
Elspeth paused with the fork midway to her mouth. “What do you mean? I knew you guys weren’t super close, but he’s really not coming?”
William looked at her with pity. “I’m sorry, Elle. He’s been a cunt for most of his life. More so in the last several years.”
“Well, I want to get the full scoop, and if you won’t share, I’ll just call your mom. Anyway, I’ll show you to your room. It’s right across from Nairie’s. She’s here almost every day. Except once or twice a week when she goes back to her parents for the night.”
William arched a brow and looked at me.
“They just really miss me.”
Elspeth snorted. “Yeah, it’s kinda annoying, and I hate that you have to ping-pong between us all the time. Anyway, while she’s here, it’ll be likeThree’s Company!”
I smiled and looked at William, but he had a scowl on his face. He didn’t look too pleased with this arrangement, and I scurried away from his glare by cleaning up the plates and shooing them away.
Once they both disappeared, I let out my frustration on the dirty dishes in the sink. Why did he look pissed about me living here? It’s not like I was the same annoying ten-year-old. We weren’t going to force him to paint his nails or play dress up. Well, Elspeth might.
I was about to start washing the bigger pots and pans when I felt someone staring.
I turned around, and William was leaning against the doorframe in a new outfit. He must have changed into something more comfortable since he was sporting a pair of sweats and a tee that stretched across his broad frame. I could see the ridges of his thick abs behind his shirt, andhis feet were bare. I held my breath to hide my whimper. Seeing William so casual was almost too intimate.
I clutched my chest. “Jesus, you’re incredibly quiet for someone so big.”
William smirked and moved toward me. “Go on and get ready for bed.”
“Oh, it’s okay. You had a long flight. This won’t take long.”
William was across from me now and leaned against the counter. His big tattooed hands gripped the marble, and I wondered what they’d feel like grabbing my ass.
I looked up into his dark features. He was so different, yet when I stared into his eyes, I could still see the same boy I fell in love with all those years ago.
