The Highland Fling(84)

Dakota’s eyes narrow. “You’re being weird.”

“Too much sugar. You know how I get.” I twirl my finger next to my ear. “Crazy. Anyhoo.” I pat my stomach for some reason and then jab my thumb toward the stairs. “Guess I’ll be on my way.”

“Oh-kay,” she drags out, watching me moonwalk to the stairs. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

When I reach my bedroom, I fling myself onto my bed and stare up at the ceiling. What the hell was that?

For certain, it was the most awkward interaction I’ve ever had with Dakota, even worse than the time I thought I got my period when we were playing in her backyard and she hadn’t gotten hers yet, so I knew she wouldn’t understand the severity of not being prepared. What just happened was way worse than that.

With a sigh, I roll to my side and pick up my phone to set an alarm for my morning hairy coo walk. That’s when I catch a text from Rowan.

I quickly open it, ready to cling to anything that might possibly take away this heavy buildup that’s sitting on my lungs like a ten-ton weight.

Rowan: Hope you’re having fun with Dakota. Wanted to quickly say I was very impressed with you yesterday. Proud to call you me girl. Night, lass.

I press my lips together as they tremble. A single tear falls down the side of my face.

How did he know I needed that text more than anything right now?

Through blurred vision, I text him back.

Bonnie: Thank you, Rowan, that means a lot. Must be that one-sixteenth Scottish in me that makes me such a good baker, huh?

He texts back right away.

Rowan: Sorry to break it to you, lass. One sixteenth is barely a blip in the gene pool.

Bonnie: Don’t you belittle my heritage.

Rowan: Not belittling, just helping you understand, your one-sixteenth has nothing on this one hundred percenter.

Bonnie: If you were one hundred percent Scottish, then I would have seen you in a kilt already.

Rowan: All in good time, lass. Good night. Wish you were here.

Bonnie: Wish I was there too. Good night, Rowan.

I clutch my phone to my chest and stare up at the ceiling as a long sigh flows out of my lungs. Oh God . . . I like the man. A lot.

I like how he cares for me.

How he teases me.

How he’s protective and can sense when something is bothering me.

I like his smile and his deep voice that rattles me to my very core when he whispers in my ear.

I like that he’s proud of me . . .

I like . . . oh God . . . I think I love him.



“Bonnie, hey, wait up.”

I turn to find Isla jogging up to me just as I step onto the Hairy Coo Footpath. It’s early, the fog still lifting off the grass as the sun barely peeks over the horizon. I had a hard time falling asleep last night and wound up waking early, my mind whirring over all the changes in my life.

Rowan.

The coffee shop.

Dakota.

It’s weighing heavily on me.

“Good morning, Isla,” I say, slowing down so she can catch up.

“Morning to ye. Are you open to having a walking partner?”

“Sure,” I answer, right before giving her a hug hello.

Together, we walk down the path and around the bend where I ran smack into a shirtless Rowan, though he’s absent from this go-around. Unfortunately. Wouldn’t mind another sweaty stone wall to the face right about now, especially after not seeing him last night.

“Sorry about getting Dakota back late. If I knew you were worried, I would have never suggested we go out for a bite.”

“Oh, no need to apologize. It’s fine,” I say as the back of my neck heats up with embarrassment. “I’m sorry if I was rude to you.”

She chuckles. “Look at us, apologizing for something so small.”

“Typical ladies,” I joke.

“I do want to make sure you like me, though, because I really like Dakota.”

Shocked, I turn toward her and stop her with a hand to her arm. “Isla, I do like you. Have I given off the vibe that I don’t?”

“No, not really. I mean, maybe a little, and when I asked Dakota about it, she said you’ve just been busy—but I wasn’t sure if that was a cover-up.”

Confrontation—with someone other than Dakota—is not something I’m comfortable with. When it comes to my friendship with Dakota, I can tell her anything, talk to her about anything, and truly express my feelings. But with anyone else, I just turn into an apologetic mess and try to smooth things over quickly so I can be done with the awkward tornado that just blew in and blew out.

“It wasn’t a cover-up.” We start walking again. “I’ve been stressed and maybe . . . a little jealous of the two of you. I know that sounds stupid and I shouldn’t be jealous. I was the one encouraging Dakota to start dating again, but I just felt her pulling away, and it made me a little crazy. If that makes sense.”

“Aye, I understand. You two have such a strong bond.”

“Yes, and after things ended with Isabella, I had Dakota all to myself again, and I soaked that up. Isabella took a lot of Dakota time away from me, and it was painful. Maybe I was having some flashbacks, I don’t know. Either way, I really do like you, Isla. I think you’re lovely and sweet, and I know your intentions are honest. Plus, Rowan has nothing but the best to say about you. He once told me if I should trust my best friend with anyone, it should be you.”