I’m such a silly girl.
The petrol station Dougal works in is one of the few in Inverness with a large snack and drink bar, so while patrons mill about, we enter the store and blend in.
“Snag me a packet of crisps, Lou,” Mac says with a grin, clearly enjoying his ability to boss Leith around.
“I’ll shove the packet of crisps up yer arse,” Leith mutters with an eye roll, but he grabs a few flavors nonetheless. “You want anything, lass?”
Oh aye. I give him a small smile, and point to a bar of chocolate.
He gives me one of his rare smiles back. “That’s my girl. Likes her sweets and chocolate, eh?”
I nod, then feel my eyes go wide as he grabs a large fistful of sweets.
“Fizzy drink for me, Lou,” Tate says, giving me a wink when he meets my eyes. The door shuts, and I realize with a jolt of fear that we’re currently the only ones in here.
Leith goes to the front of the store, snacks in hand, and plunks them down on the counter. I’m way at the back, between Mac and Tate, surreptitiously shopping, but watching.
“Y’alright?” Leith asks, taking out his wallet.
“Och, aye,” my brother says in his sullen way. “You?”
Mac walks away from me and sneaks behind me. I look away, since I don’t want to bring attention to him.
“Eh, am pure done in,” Leith says, scrubbing a hand across his face. “Been drivin’ damn near a day. Supposed to meet me mum up at the Cathedral, but can’t find it on the GPS. You know where it is?”
My brother scowls, still ringing up the food. I pretend to be thoroughly occupied rearranging the packets of sweets.
“Up the road,” Dougal says, but he gives him no more further information, the prick. “Not sure how you can bloody miss it.”
“Quiet church, is it? She said not a lot of visitors these days?” Leith asks. It may be my imagination, but I swear I can feel his anger emanating even from here.
“Aye.” Dougal blows out a breath. “That’s four and a half quid.”
Leith throws the money down, and my brother picks it up, punches things on the register, and the drawer swings open.
“You know anything about the priest there?”
My brother gives Leith a curious look. “No.”
The door to the shop opens, and a beautiful blonde walks in.
“Hello,there,” Mac mutters under his breath. I blink in surprise at how stunning she is, curves and legs for days, and a mane of hair that would make any woman envious.
Leith nods, takes the food, and goes to head out when the pretty lass turns to him. She sees Leith and smiles widely. A strange, unfamiliar sensation warms my chest when he nods back to her. Why is he even looking at her? And why do I care?
“Hello,” Leith says. “Y’alright?”
“Aye,” the bonny lass says. “You?”
He nods. “Was just asking the friendly help here about the Cathedral. Have an errand there. Mum wanted me to get some pictures as we were passing through, says she remembers the church from when she was a wee girl.”
He flashes her a disarming grin that would make any woman hand over her bloody knickers. I want him to look atmethat way. Hell, I’ve already handed himmyknickers.
Have I made a mistake? He plays the part of an innocent so bloody well it’s unnerving.
“Careful, lass,” Tate whispers, giving me a teasing look. His eyes twinkle at me. “If you break the damn display, we’ll have a scene on our hands.”
I look down in surprise. I’m gripping the shelf so hard my knuckles are white. Is it that obvious how I’m affected? I swallow hard, wishing I could speak so I could deny that I’m at all emotionally invested in what’s going on.
