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Matthew snorted in protest. “I almost didn’t graduate because of you lot.” He shifted his attention to Winnie. “I was the only one who did any schooling whilst at Eton, and I basically tutored each of them in every single subject.”

“Yes, like a good little mummy,” Finn teased. “Makin’ sure we did our schoolwork, makin’ sure we got in before curfew, makin’ sure our lights were out at nine o’clock.”

“How else could I get the sleep I needed?” Matthew questioned. “Studies show if you receive a solid⁠—”

“Yes, we’ve heard it before, Matthew,” Graham said with a roll of his eyes. “All through college.”

Winnie laughed. “So how long were you at Eton?”

To her delight, Matthew was the one to respond—although he’d only done so since his friends were all taking bites of their food. “I was there until I graduated at eighteen. Graham, as well. Cedric left after two years, and Finn, one.”

“You were only there together for one year?” she asked.

The four of them nodded.

“It would’ve been longer had Finn not gotten kicked out,” Graham explained.

Winnie laughed in surprise. “What on earth got you kicked out?”

Finn flashed a grin—that same, harmless, flirtatious one he’d been sharing with her all night. “Fraternizin’ with the ladies.”

Matthew rolled his eyes.

“How did you manage that?” she asked. “Isn’t Eton an all-boys college?”

“It is until you help sneak a few girls in,” Cedric said. “Right, Finn?”

The men laughed, and Matthew cracked another smile.

The conversation continued, as did Winnie’s laughter as they recounted their school days and beyond. All too swiftly, though, the evening wound down, and her time with the friends came to an end.

She leaned back in her chair with a sigh. “Well, boys, I’d love to stay and chat more, but unfortunately, I have work to do.”

“On a Saturday night?” Finn questioned, turning to Matthew. “What kind of ship are you runnin’ here, mate?”

Matthew held up his hands. “She makes her own schedule. And ours beside.”

Winnie delivered a pointed smile. “Yes, and I work late into the night so you guys don’t have to.”

Another lingering look passed between them before she scooted back in her chair. “Thanks again for letting me join you all tonight. I haven’t had this much fun in a really long time.”

His friends expressed the same sentiment as she stood and gathered her things. “Good luck on prepping for your next charity run,” she said with a smile.

“If you find yourself in Norn Iron, feel free to join us,” Finn said with another wink.

“I will,” she said with a laugh. “Goodnight, guys.” Then she turned to Matthew. “See you Monday.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I’ll see you.”

Or at least, that’s what she thought he’d said. She wasn’t exactly sure, as it all tumbled out of his mouth at once.

After another wave goodbye, she sidestepped her way through the crowds of the pub, leaving the warm atmosphere for the cool air outside. She rooted around in her purse for the rental car’s keys, still smiling to herself at the memory of the evening.

“Winnie?”

She paused, whirling around in surprise. “Matthew?”

He walked toward her, his hands in his pockets as he approached, a curl blowing across his brow in the soft breeze. “I just wanted to make sure you got to your car safely.” He motioned over his shoulder. “The lads wouldn’t lay off until I did.”