Page 37 of Chasing a Highland Dream

Bella laughed. ‘Not you too? I’m constantly watching cute puppy videos or make-up tutorials for effects I’ll never try.’

Aiden grinned. ‘Me too. Except I try all of the make-up tutorial effects.’

Bella laughed louder. ‘I bet you look bonny with a winged eyeliner.’

He patted his hair. ‘Oh, I do. And I love that sparkly eyeshadow they keep showcasing, you know, the one that’s soooooo pigmented? I’ll let you borrow it some time.’

Aiden was definitely funny and easy to talk to. Not to mention he was so confident and worldly. He’d shaved today and she found herself staring a little too long at the smooth skin at his jawline.

‘So, how’s the vintage Citroen?’ he asked eventually, pulling her from her fantasy.

Bella curled her lip. ‘Ugh, not good at all. Harris took me to the garage to talk to the mechanic. It sounds like a fair bit of work to get her up and running again.’

Aiden tilted his head. ‘You and the sergeant are getting quite friendly then, eh?’

Bella thought she saw a glint of disappointment in his crumpled expression, and she fidgeted in her seat. ‘He’s a lovely guy but we’re just friends.’

Aiden narrowed his eyes. ‘Hmm. Interesting. He clearly likes you.’

Bella placed her hands under her chin and fluttered her eyelashes. ‘Of course he does, I’m very likeable.’ When he didn’t respond, she dropped her hands to her lap. ‘Speaking of liking people, is your other half joining you while you’re here?’

Aiden frowned. ‘My other half? I don’t have an other half. I’m pretty whole by myself at the moment. Didn’t you catch the comment about having no personal distractions?’

Bella raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh, right. I must have got the wrong end of the stick. I heard you say something about a date the other day and put two and two together.’

He tilted up his chin. ‘Ah yes, you Douglas women seem to be good at getting the wrong end of the stick.’ Ah, so he’s still dwelling on his almost arrest, is he? Bella thought. He continued, ‘Sadly no, though, it was a “date” with my editor. She came up on the train and we met up for a chat about the book.’

‘Ah, I see.’

There was a pause in conversation until Aiden spoke again. ‘I fancy going out for dinner tonight and as you’re local, I wonder if you might be able to recommend somewhere?’

She pondered for a moment. ‘The Glenmoriston Town House Restaurant is lovely. Great food and they have a really nice piano bar too that serves lots of different gins and whiskies.’

‘Sounds good. Shall I try to book us a table for tonight?’

Bella widened her eyes. ‘Us? You want to take me?’ As if he wouldn’t know who she meant, she pointed at herself.

He gave a laugh. ‘Well, it’s no fun dining out alone, is it? I thought it’d be nice to have some company, and to get to know my neighbour, seeing as we didn’t exactly get off on the best footing.’

‘Oh, right, yes, well, in that case I’d like that, thank you.’

He nodded. ‘Great.’

Although he hadn’t mentioned the word ‘date’, she couldn’t help feeling excited about going out with him. Looks wise, he was just her type, from his fair hair to his lean body and smooth skin. There was something a little bit Hollywood about him and he wouldn’t look out of place on the big screen. Add to that his status as an author and he was almost perfect. Butterflies wearing hobnail boots stomped around her stomach and some escaped to flutter around her heart.

Aiden stood. ‘Glenmoriston Town House Restaurant it is then. I’ll knock on your door once I’ve made a reservation.’

Bella was trying her best not to carry on smiling like a woman possessed but knew she was failing miserably. ‘I’ll look forward to it.’

Aiden left to go into his apartment, leaving Bella sitting there on the bench, fighting the urge to squeal. Once he was inside and had closed the door, she took her phone from her handbag and dialled.

When Olivia answered, Bella blurted, ‘Liv, it’s me! Guess who’s invited me out for dinner!’

Olivia gasped. ‘Ooh, ooh, Sergeant Donaldson?’

Bella huffed. ‘No! Why would you think that? Anyway, no, our author friend!’

Olivia paused as if processing the information. ‘Oh! Exciting! So where is he taking you?’