“Then?” I ask archly. “You can tell me to fuck off. Really. I deserve it.”
“You’re… trouble.”
I grin as my shoulders ease. “Yeah. The best kind, I promise.”
He rolls his eyes, but then his sudden smile is the salve to the spirit I needed. “Also—you’re shameless.”
“Yes. And?”
“And…” Stef draws in a deep breath. “I want you to meet me in Edinburgh. You must.”
Grinning, I run a hand through my hair. “Okay. Should I book a hotel?”
Stef gives me a wry look, like I’ve asked a very silly question. “No. Come to my home. Stay a night or two. I mean, it’s just a flat, nothing special?—”
“It’s special if you’re in it.” I gaze at him. “Fact.”
And, sweet reward, he flushes pink. “I’m still upset with you.”
“I get it. When should I come up?”
He shakes his head slowly, considering. “You’re working, right? How about two weeks from now? Friday night? I’ll text you the address.”
“Done,” I say instantly. Like I even need to think about it. “Can’t wait.”
After I hang up with Stef, I text James immediately and inform him I’m borrowing his SUV soon for a road trip. It’s the least he can do, given his contributions to the fake dating situation, and I start to imagine a weekend together with Stef.
Chapter Forty
“Where are you going, anyway?” James peers at me on Friday morning two weeks later in the mist that has descended over London. It’s a chilly day. Water droplets bead on his wool jacket. “You do know there are car rental services, don’t you?”
“I like your SUV. Also, you told me you’re not using it this weekend.”
“Fine.”
We’re behind his parked Mercedes SUV in the private car park at St James’s Palace, which he loves to say is named after him rather than one of his esteemed ancestors. I’ve just put my bag in the back. James tosses me the keys a moment later, and I pluck them out of the air with a jangle. The air smells like spring rain, a light drizzle falling.
“And to answer your question, I’m going to Edinburgh.”
“I say. Why Edinburgh?” James looks startled. “Isn’t that a bit far for a weekend trip?”
“Reasons. Don’t worry, I’ll return your ride with a full tank of petrol and everything. I’m an excellent driver. I haven’t sunk a single SUV either. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Yet.” James shakes his head, seeing through me in an instant. He frowns. “You’re not going to see Stefanos, are you? Please tell me you aren’t.”
“There are many wonderful things to see in Scotland,” I protest immediately, gesturing broadly towards the north in a sweeping motion. “Why wouldn’t I want to go there? We should all want to go there, in fact. It’s gorgeous.”
“Name one wonderful thing,” James challenges immediately, frowning slightly, his gaze rapt on mine like he sees through my bullshit with X-ray vision, “that you’ll see this weekend.”
I open my mouth and shut it. Of course he’s going to be difficult. I suppose he senses—rightly—a threat to his plan. Which, admittedly, is a plan to help me. “The Highlands?”
James snorts, decidedly unimpressed. “You’ll need to lie harder, I’m afraid. The Highlands are not in Edinburgh.”
“Well…” I think furiously. Thoughts of Stef creep in, and they aren’t helping me in this moment to recall remarkable places in Scotland. “The, um, palace?”
“You mean Edinburgh Castle.”
“Right. The castle. I’m going to see the castle.” I gesture broadly again in what must be a castle-shaped movement. “Very castle-y. Really, it’s a go-to for any royal. Great ambience. A little draughty, as all castles are.”
