Page 13 of My Fake Dating with the Grumpiest Highlander

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He shrugs.

“Like my father always says: in the Highlands, we measure time in seasons, not weeks.”

Fantastic.

So I get to live like this for at least another three months.

“Your fish and chips are ready,” Ewan adds. “Want me to wrap them to go?”

I should refuse.

Go back to the clinic.

Fill out my reports.

Plan my next round of house calls that will inevitably end with more slammed doors.

But my stomach growls, and I’m exhausted.

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Ewan disappears inside and returns thirty seconds later carrying a paper bag.

“First order’s on the house,” he says. “The next ones probably will be too. You’re gonna need them.”

“Thanks for the fish and chips.”

“Come back anytime. And... ignore Duncan. He’s like that with everyone.”

I nod and head toward my Land Rover. Once inside, I’m about to start the engine when my phone vibrates.

It’s a text from my cousin Nate.

NATE

How’s it going?

I stare at the message. I could lie. Tell him everything’s fine and that I’m integrating perfectly.

Instead, I type:

FINN

I spilled a pint in a pub. The bartender thinks I’m pathetic. The entire village hates me because I’m not McKinnon. Other than that, everything’s going great.

His reply comes thirty seconds later.

NATE

For what it’s worth, McKinnon could be a real asshole sometimes. Come to dinner Friday. Lily’s making roast beef. And she won’t compare you to anyone.

I stare at the screen, feeling something loosen slightly in my chest.

FINN

Okay.

I start the Land Rover and drive back toward the empty medical clinic, where nobody compares me to anyone because nobody comes.

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