“That’s because you’re a good teacher. Or because Hamish terrified me enough that I’m scared to make mistakes now.”
I laugh.
“Probably both.”
Finn glances at the clock.
“It’s late. I should…”
“Yeah. Me too.”
Neither of us moves.
Hamish eventually stands, nudges Rosita toward the door, and the two sheep leave the room with impressive dignity.
“Even the sheep know we need to stop lying to ourselves,” I murmur.
“What did you just say?”
I look up at him.
“Nothing. I’m exhausted and starving.”
“This time, I’m cooking,” he announces enthusiastically.
I watch him head toward the doorway.
Just before leaving, he turns back toward me with an unreadable expression on his face.
Then he looks away and leaves the room.
I let out a long breath.
Soon we’ll have to dance in front of the entire village.
But choreography isn’t the real challenge anymore.
No.
The real challenge is continuing to pretend this is nothing more than an arrangement when every dance, every glance, every brush of his hand pulls me closer to something painfully, terrifyingly real.
CHAPTER 17
FINN
The McGregor Twins’ Test
(Or How Ragnar Decided to Become a Mountain Guide)
I’m not entirely sure at what point I lost control of my life, but it was probably when I agreed to follow the McGregor twins into the Highlands at seven in the morning without asking too many questions.
Now I’m halfway up a slope that openly defies the laws of physics, clinging to slippery rocks with burning lungs while being silently judged by a sheep.
Ragnar, obviously.
Loose stones slide beneath my boots.
Every muscle in my body protests.
