Page 54 of My Fake Dating with the Grumpiest Highlander
“That’s a polite way of putting it.”
We remain there a few more minutes, side by side, watching clouds move across the horizon.
“We should go back inside,” Mary finally says. “Otherwise she’ll send out a search party.”
“Or worse: come herself.”
Mary lets out a small laugh, and the softness of the sound catches me off guard.
“Exactly,” she replies.
We head toward the castle entrance.
Mary stops on the threshold.
She looks like she wants to say something, then changes her mind.
She studies me for one second longer, as though trying to understand something.
Then she shakes her head and pushes open the door.
I follow her, fully aware that this evening is far from over.
Dinner is servedin the grand dining room.
The table could easily seat twenty people, but there are only ten of us.
Maggie sits at the head of the table, naturally.
I end up seated between Mary and Lachlan, directly across from Keira, who watches me with undisguised curiosity.
The food arrives: vegetable soup to start, followed by roasted salmon with potatoes, all prepared by the castle cook, Mrs. Finley, whose culinary talents are, I must admit, remarkable.
“So, Doctor,” Keira says while passing me the butter, “have you met the twins yet?”
“The twins?”
“Cameron and Connor. Our cousins. They’re twenty-three and possess an impressive talent for making people uncomfortable.”
“They’re not that bad,” Mary protests.
“Yes, they are,” Callum counters. “Remember what they did to Lachlan when he started dating Emma.”
“I’d rather not think about it,” Lachlan mutters.
“What did they do?” I ask despite myself.
“They tested him,” Emma explains, adding air quotes. “To see whether he was truly in love.”
“And?”
“I survived. Barely.”
“They’re coming for the Highland Games,” Maggie announces with a smile that makes me want to flee the country immediately. “I’m sure they’ll be delighted to meet you, Doctor McLeod.”
Wonderful.
Exactly what I needed.
