Page 244 of My Fake Dating with the Grumpiest Highlander
The rhythm is soothing.
Repetitive.
Almost meditative.
Then Nate asks casually without looking at me:
“Are you redoing this clinic for yourself or for Mary?”
I stop painting instantly.
The roller hovers inches from the wall.
“Both. But mostly for me. Because I want to stay. Even if she leaves.”
Nate nods slowly and keeps painting.
“She hasn’t accepted the Perthshire job yet, you know.”
I turn toward him sharply.
“What?”
“Lily told me she still hasn’t made a decision.”
My heart kicks violently against my ribs.
Is there still hope for us?
“She’s hesitating?”
“Apparently.”
Nate sets down his roller and finally looks at me directly.
“But she doesn’t know you’re staying.”
“I need to talk to her.”
“Yes. And not in three days. Right now.”
I glance around at the half-painted clinic.
The construction mess.
Paint everywhere.
“I can’t leave now. This place is chaos.”
“Finn.”
His voice hardens.
“Go see her. I’ll finish the rest.”
“Nate, I can’t leave you to?—”
“You can. And you will. Because repainting this clinic won’t mean a damn thing if you lose the only person who makes you want to stay here in the first place.”
