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“Wait!” Jamie interjects.

For a moment, I think he might back-pedal, regretting this uncomfortable situation he’s created. But his gaze is once again on the report.

“Forget the mattresses. Lewis has invited a builder over to inspect the function room!”

The little bastard! Having created this drama, he’s now proceeding to feed the fire. I’d wanted Ally to read the document with an open mind. Instead, Jamie’s pounced on him with it straight away, before Ally’s even had a chance to sit down.

“You did what?” There’s disbelief in Ally’s gaze as he stares at Lewis.

“It’s just for a quote!” I point out. “We’ve not committed to anything.”

“For fuck’s sake!” Ally swipes his hand across his face again. “I was in a good mood! Aye, I wasn’t sure about teaming up with the resort, but I was seriously considering the outdoor-activities business. I felt excited about the future! Now, though? How can I focus on working with Aidan when I can’t trust anyone here? We don’t have enough cash to set up a new business and invest in the hotel at the same time.”

My shoulders sag. Ally hasn’t so much as glanced at the report yet, and already he’s biased against it—thanks to his meddlesome youngest brother, who ensured the information all came out in the wrong way. Earlier, I managed to spark Lewis’s enthusiasm. Now he looks deflated—and pissed off too.

Again, I try to stick up for Lewis, to get Ally to be a little more open-minded. “If you just listen for a second, it’s—”

“Can you please keep your nose out of hotel business?” he snaps.

For a moment, I’m stunned, amazed he’d talk to me like that. But of course, Ally and I have been in the honeymoon phase until now: everything has seemed easy and uncomplicated. That’s not how relationships are, though. They can be hard work at times. Things aren’t always sunshine and roses. Somehow I forgot that, despite Grace’s warnings. You need to be resilient to deal with the fall-outs, and I’m not resilient right now. I’m still recovering from being jilted at the altar.

Before I know what I’m doing, I’m brushing past Ally and racing for the stairs.

“Emily! Emily, I’m sorry. Don’t go!” He chases after me and grabs my arm.

I stop, trying to keep tears from falling.

“I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. I . . . I take it back. And Lewis”—he turns his attention to his brother—“you were right. Those mattresses did need to be replaced. And aye, let’s find out how much it’d cost to finish the function room, although I can’t see how we’ll be able to afford it. But . . . it’s okay. I’m sorry for snapping.”

He looks back to me, his gaze uncertain. “And I’m sorry to you, Emily. Please don’t run off. I just . . . panicked. I’m so, so sorry.” He releases my arm.

Slowly, I breathe in and out. This has shaken me. Is Grace right? Is it too soon for me to be jumping into another relationship?

Ally plants a conciliatory kiss on my cheek. I give him a small, uncertain smile, trying to hide the doubt that’s seeping in. Not doubt about Ally—I still think he’s wonderful, even if he does have a mental block when it comes to investing in the hotel.

No, doubt about me. Doubt about whether I’m ready for this.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

ALLY

We’re in the snug, all of us: me, Emily, Aidan, Lewis, Jamie, Grace, and David. After the tension earlier—which, I accept, was at least in part my fault—Lewis offered to make us all a Caesar salad, with added chicken for the meat eaters. We’re eating the salad now, the seven of us spread out around the snug, and I have to say, the food is pretty good.

While Lewis was busy in the kitchen, I couldn’t resist wandering around the hotel. I was expecting to find a bunch of tasks waiting for me—things Lewis forgot to do or didn’t do quite right—but I underestimated him. He did everything I asked him to, and he did it all well. I couldn’t find fault with anything. I’m going to have time to relax tonight, which I wasn’t anticipating after having been away all day.

“This,” Grace says, chewing a mouthful of salad, “is delicious.” She beams across the snug at Lewis. “Thanks so much.”

Emily, David, and Aidan are quick to join in with praise for the meal, and even Jamie, who’d normally tease Lewis rather than compliment him, reluctantly acknowledges it’s tasty. Emily elbows me.

“Aye, it’s great,” I agree loudly. “A light meal, but delicious.”

Emily gives me a playful look of mock frustration. “Light? Oh, do you not think it’s going to be enough for you?” She prods my stomach. “Did it occur to you that maybe there’s a reason it’s a light dinner? I’ve got plans for you this evening, Mr McIntyre.”

“Bloody hell!” Jamie complains. “We’re eating. None of us need to hear about the kinky sex you’ll be getting up to later.”

“Jamie!” Emily turns beetroot. “I . . . when I said ‘plans’, that wasn’t what I was talking about!”

“It sure sounded like it,” Jamie mutters.