Jane looks at us with doe eyes.
“You know each other so well. It’s beautiful. You could learn something from them, honey,” she tells Callum.
“I’m learning!” he protests. “I remembered sushi!”
“After I reminded you.”
“That still counts!”
I want to throw up.
Or run away.
Possibly both.
The McKenzie distillery gift basket is ceremoniously handed to Finn, who accepts it with all the grace of a man receiving an award for Best Liar of the Year.
Gradually, the baby shower turns into a relaxed evening gathering. Jane opens gifts. Lachlan and Emma give Callum and Jane a handcrafted crib Lachlan must’ve spent weeks building. Keira presents handmade baby clothes so delicate they lookunreal. Emma gives them an engraved photo album already filling with family Polaroids.
Then our turn comes.
And horror crashes over me.
We didn’t bring a gift.
How did I forget the gift?
I’ve been so consumed by the clinic, the Highland Games, psychotic sheep, and this fake relationship that takes up all my mental energy that I completely forgot to buy one.
I shoot Finn a panicked glance.
He calmly stands, retrieves a small package from the gift table, and hands it to Jane.
“From both of us,” he says simply.
Jane carefully unwraps it.
Inside is a baby blanket made of Scottish wool. Deep navy blue with traditional woven patterns, soft as a cloud.
“Oh,” Jane whispers, stroking the fabric. “It’s beautiful.”
“Finn, this is incredible,” Callum says.
I stare at him.
When did he buy that?
How did he know Jane liked navy blue?
Why didn’t I know anything about this?
Finn glances at me briefly and murmurs so quietly nobody else can hear:
“You mentioned Jane liked navy blue. Two weeks ago. During dinner at the castle.”
Did I?
I don’t even remember saying it.
