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Ashley gestured Nick toward her plate, and he helped himself to a bite-sized piece of beef.

Oh?! They’re dating? A pang of nostalgic yearning gnawed in Evie’s chest as Nick offered Ashley his fish. Yeah, she’s much more deserving of his cultured tastes and gorgeous hair. Chewing quickly, Ashley’s eyes roamed the room, and Evie flew back to her mac ’n’ cheese, berating herself for being so nosy…and jealous.

“I think it’s great, you fishing with your dad as a lass,” said Caleb. “You have a goddaughter, don’t you?”

“Yeah, Ava—Fiona and Rupert Balfour’s oldest. She wants to be a firefighter when she grows up, although I’d put good money on her changing her mind again. So far, she’s wanted to be a figure skater and a fashion designer.”

Caleb’s grin grew. “Both exceptional choices. Do you spend much time with her?”

“She sleeps over twice a month. We watch films, play board games.”

“Ava must love that.” He paused for a moment. “I know it’s not ideal first date talk, but…I’d love a houseful of kids.”

Shiiit. Evie deflated inside. Finally find a nice, normal guy and he wants his own rugby team?

“That said, I’d gladly settle for two. Let’s face it, I’m not getting any younger.” Caleb laughed.

Her attention strayed again. Nick had drawn his chair closer to Ashley’s, their conversation peppered with knowing looks and sly smiles. Breaking into a laugh, Nick surveyed the restaurant, his sweeping glance tangling with Evie’s.

Her heart stuttered as she blinked away, extricating herself from their mutual gape. Hand scrambling for her fork, she knocked it onto the carpeted floor. She grimaced with a flustered “Sorry” then peered underneath. “I’m such a—”

“Let me.” Caleb shifted his chair and ducked, rescuing the fallen fork. On his return, he stole a clean one from the empty neighboring table and tossed a look over his shoulder. “Oh, it’s that actor.” Wide-eyed, Caleb smiled as he turned and handed Evie the clean cutlery.

“Thanks.” Her curiosity jogged back. Nick’s assessing stare was burning a hole in the back of Caleb’s head.

“I got a selfie with him the other day,” said Caleb, noticeably starstruck. “Nice guy. I think he used to spend summers here.”

Evie nodded as Caleb swiveled again and waved subtly. Nick raised his glass in greeting, his focus snapping to Evie. She promptly reunited with her dinner.

“My sister was thrilled.” Still grinning, Caleb relinquished the dirty fork to the edge of their table. “Apparently, he’s around all summer.” He picked up his beer and settled in for a substantial guzzle.

Careening beyond Caleb, Evie’s gaze collided with Ashley’s. She whispered something in Nick’s ear with a self-satisfied smile.

Temptation simmered inside Evie. If Nick was gawking, why not put on a show? She could hold Caleb’s hand across the table, howl with laughter like he was the most amusing guy ever, or share a slow kiss like the heroines in her favorite historical romances.

But Evie wasn’t a fictional character and this moment wasn’t a scene on an e-reader. Caleb was truly into her, and to take advantage of his kindness and genuine feelings and use them as a battering ram to vengefully knock Nick off his perch didn’t sit well. A heart wasn’t a toy, especially when it belonged to someone who fancied you more than you fancied them, who wanted kids when you didn’t.

“Sorry to sidetrack the conversation. We were talking about children…” Caleb took a sip of ale.

Evie painted on a grin. “Yeah. Kids are…great.”

A glimmer of reverence shone in his eyes. A scout leader and teacher, Caleb couldn’t wait to read bedtime stories and go fishing with his own brood.

Unlike Evie.

Ruggedly handsome with a sweetness belying his mountain man demeanor, Caleb was the perfect Orkney boyfriend—for someone else.

A dart of disappointment plunged into Evie’s chest. She couldn’t lead Caleb on in front of Nick or anyone else. They weren’t on the same path, and the sooner he knew…

“I bet you’ll make a great mum someday.”

No, no, no. Smiling tightly, she played with the napkin on her lap and leaned over her mac ’n’ cheese. “That’s lovely of you to say, but…actually, I don’t want kids.”

A wave of surprise crashed through Caleb’s baby blues. “You don’t?”

She shook her head slowly. “I love Ava and her sister, but being a mum myself has never been a dream of mine.”

“Yeah, but lots of people say that, though.” Caleb edged closer. “I bet you’ll change your mind.”