Page 60
“Aye, but they wouldn’t be as fun.” Jamie winks.
As the McIntyre siblings continue their bickering, Aidan turns to me and flashes a grin, shaking his head at their antics. I return the smile. His gaze drifts down, and he reaches out and tenderly picks something off my shoulder. He lifts it—just a piece of tinsel. He puts it on his plate then goes back for another piece. I hadn’t realised my top was a tinsel magnet.
“Wait, is something going on between you two?” Iona whispers from across the table.
It’s not a great whisper because all other conversation stops, and every head in the room turns to us. Most faces display a mix of confusion and curiosity. Only Emily and Ally aren’t surprised because they of course already know.
“What did I miss?” Cat asks eagerly. “Are you two seeing each other?”
Elspeth leans in, her eyes widening with equal interest.
Aidan and I exchange a glance, and I raise my brows questioningly. Emily and I are the newcomers here—he’s known everyone else around this table his entire life. It should be up to him what he tells them.
He rubs the back of his neck and chuckles. “Er, please don’t get overexcited, but . . . aye, Grace and I are giving things a go.”
Elspeth clasps her hands together in teary-eyed delight, and there are grins and exclamations of approval from the rest of the group.
Jamie leaps from his seat and runs off, returning with mistletoe. “Thanks for getting this, Emily. Who knew it’d come in handy?” He comes up behind me and Aidan and holds it over our heads. “Well, go on!”
For a moment, I wonder if Aidan might refuse. After all, having spurned romance his entire life, he’s only just getting used to the small acts of affection couples share. Maybe it’d be too much for him to kiss me in front of his family and the McIntyres, who are as good as family.
But he barely even hesitates. He leans close and presses his lips to mine, while everyone else around the table erupts into applause.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
AIDAN
We go through Bannock Woods for our pre-dessert walk, all nine of us bundled up in our winter gear. Most of the trees are bare and have been for weeks, but the Scots pines retain their evergreen needles and look bonny covered in glistening snow. The crisp forest air is pure and clean, each breath I inhale as refreshing as a gulp of icy water—the perfect remedy after indulging in a heavy meal.
Our group has split off into three pairs and a trio. Lewis and Jamie are up front, Ally and Emily following behind, then it’s Cat, Iona, and Maw. Grace and I bring up the rear, maintaining a comfortable distance from the others and walking with our gloved hands linked.
For many people, holding hands with another in public is an everyday occurrence, but for me, it’s a novelty. It feels good.
Grace points to the icicles hanging from branches and the tracks of wildlife in the snow and says how lucky I am to have these woods on my doorstep. She’s right—the forest is pretty, especially today—but I’m more interested in the sharp slope of her high cheekbones, the spiral curls spilling from under her woollen hat, and the way her full lips part slightly as she takes in her surroundings.
I draw her towards me and press my lips to her luscious ones. She tastes cold, as I’m sure I do too, our faces the only parts of our bodies not protected from the chilly air. But she opens up to let me in, and our tongues meet, the kiss becoming warm and sweet.
“Oi, lovebirds, stop canoodling!” Ally calls from up ahead.
The rest of the group have stopped and are watching us with amusement. Maw is positively beaming.
Breaking apart, Grace and I exchange a smile. She squeezes my hand, and we crunch on through the snow, catching up with the others. Together, we follow a trail that winds its way to the edge of the woods, arriving at the adventure playground. The climbing frames, swings, slide, and other equipment poke out from under the blanket of white and are covered in sparkling frost.
“Do you all remember the long summer days we spent here?” I ask, directing my question to Iona and the McIntyre siblings.
“Aye, we’d play for hours and hours,” Ally reminisces. “When we got hungry, we’d run home for food, wolf it down, then come straight back.”
“No parents to supervise us, no mobile phones,” Iona adds. “Just freedom!”
“Those days really did seem to last forever,” Lewis says.
“All right, Bryan Adams, calm down!” Jamie retorts.
Lewis shakes his head.
“Sometimes we all played big games together,” Cat remembers, “but other times, Ally and Aidan, you did your own thing, while Lewis and Iona did their own thing, and I was stuck with you, Jamie. Which was horrible.” She lets out a deep sigh, her breath misting in the cold air. “I wish I could go back and tell my younger self things get better.”
“Aw, c’mon, you love me really. We all know that spiel about Glasgow teenagers was just an excuse. You’re returning to the Highlands for one reason only, and that’s to see more of your favourite brother. This lot are all older, but you and me, Cat? There’s only a year between us. Sure, it’s not quite Grace and David, but it’s still a special connection.”
