Page 23 of Highland Stars
“I could, but that feels like cheating, ya know?”
“A wizard with integrity." Makenna grins then stops, and lifts her face to the sun, closing her eyes. With her so close, I can’t help but look at her dark lashes fanning out over her creamy cheeks and her pink, highly kissable lips. I look away just in time for her to open her eyes and notfind me creepily staring.
“Could we play at the table out here? It feels so nice out. I’ll even let you use your magic.”
“Oh aye? You think you can beat me even with my magic?” I ask, eyebrows raised. She is so much fun.
“Oh aye.” The sparkle in her eyes when she mimics me sendsme over the edge.
I’m in trouble.
As it turns out, Makenna is a master chess player. She beat me twice in the span of thirty minutes. If I can get her to stay around long enough, she has to play my da. I could probably sell tickets to such a match.
I begin packing up the set after my second loss.
“Had enough?” she teases.
“For sure, yes. My ego couldn’t take another hit so soon. You’re incredible. Who taught you?”
“My mom. She and I played a lot growing up. And I think I have a gift for strategy.”
“That’s probably part of why you’re such a good wedding planner.”
She cocks her head to the side, considering. “You’re probably right. I’ve never thought of it like that.”
I stand, taking the set in one hand and offering Makenna my other. “Do you wanna watch the rest of that movie? Then maybe we can go out and get some lunch. Walk around a bit.”
“Sounds great.”
As soon as we settle onto the couch my phone buzzes in my pocket.
CAIT
I saw a flyer for that band you like, and it made me miss you. How’ve you been?
It’s been months since I’ve heard from my former fiancée. And she messages menow? The pain of her leaving strikes me again, like scratching a barely healed wound. I can’t do that again. I can’t get attached to someone who will ultimately leave.
I look over at Makenna who’s fully immersed in the movie. I want to help her, and show her around, but I can’t let things go any further than that. I can already tell losing her, if I got any closer, has the potential to hurt more than the loss of Cait ever did.
There’s no chance I’m responding. I delete the message and turn my attention back to Alexander Henry’s face on the telly.
15
Makenna
Wehadbeenwatchingthe movie for only twenty minutes when my stomach rumbled.
Malcolm turns to me. “Impressive.”
“It seems my appetite has come back in full force today.”
He stands and offers me a hand up. I take it, but he lets go as soon as I’m standing. I‘d had a flash of hope that he would forget he was holding my hand.
It’s fine. But I’ve got to stop this sort of thing with him.
“Mam’s friend suggested several food items, so I bought them to make sure you’d not go hungry. And I have fruit and other things that don’t contain gluten anyway.” He led the way to the kitchen where he showed me all the things he had purchased, and it was a lot.
“You bought all this for me?”“Aye, lass. I did. I wanted to make sure you had some things you’d like.”
