Page 37 of My Fake Dating with the Grumpiest Highlander
“How do you know?”
His laughter echoes through the phone.
“The Highlands, cousin. The Highlands. It’s kind of a local tradition.”
“A tradition?” I choke out.
“They call it a delayed welcome council. Basically, if you don’t integrate fast enough, they organize a meeting to politely tell you to get lost.”
“That’s completely insane.”
I shake my head.
“It’s the Highlands,” he repeats. “So what are you going to do?”
I stare out the window.
The rain has started falling again.
Of course it has.
“Duncan Fraser suggested McGregor Castle. Apparently Maggie needs a doctor nearby.”
A pause passes before my cousin responds.
“McGregor Castle.”
“Yes.”
“At Maggie’s place.”
“Yes.”
Another silence.
Longer this time.
“That’s a very bad idea,” he finally says.
“It’s either that or stay in Inverness and commute every day. I don’t really have a choice.”
“You always have a choice. You could leave. Go back to Edinburgh. Find another position.”
Leave.
The word echoes through my head like temptation.
“No.”
“No?”
“No. I’m not running away. Not again. I’m going to call Maggie McGregor and see what she proposes.”
“Finn…”
“What?”
“Be careful. Maggie McGregor is… special.”
