Page 52 of My Fake Dating with the Grumpiest Highlander
I take a long drink from my glass.
“It’s just that it would explain his sudden departure,” Maggie continues as though thinking out loud. “A broken heart, perhaps?”
“Grandma, enough,” Callum says firmly.
Maggie tilts her head innocently.
“I’m only asking questions. Curiosity isn’t a crime, as far as I know. It’s perfectly natural for me to worry about my granddaughter.”
“I’m going outside,” Mary announces abruptly, standing up.
She leaves the drawing room before anyone can protest.
An awkward silence settles over the room.
Everyone avoids looking at Maggie, who sips her drink with obvious satisfaction.
“Well then,” she finally says. “Dinner will be served in fifteen minutes. Jamison, would you go fetch Mary?”
“I’ll go,” I hear myself say.
Why did I say that?
Maggie looks at me with a smile that seems dangerously satisfied.
“How thoughtful of you, Doctor McLeod.”
I stand and leave the room, fully aware that eight pairs of eyes are following me to the door.
I find Mary outside, leaning against the castle wall, arms crossed, staring at the horizon as though trying to make it disappear through sheer force of will.
“Do you want to talk about what just happened?” I ask as I approach.
“No.”
“All right.”
I lean against the wall beside her.
Not too close.
Just enough for her to know I’m there.
The silence stretches between us.
It isn’t comfortable, but it isn’t hostile either.
“Does she always do that?” I finally ask.
“Do what?”
“Interrogate you about your love life in front of everyone?”
Mary lets out a humorless laugh.
“Since I was eighteen. She’s convinced I’m going to die alone and get eaten by cats.”
“You have cats?”
