Chapter 23 Monroe
MONROE
It was quite the novelty being able to walk out my front door and stroll toward Flora’s in just a few minutes. Living in the cottage was life changing. I hadn’t realized how miserable I’d felt coming home to that caravan every evening and waking up in it every morning.
Now I couldn’t wait to get home and throw some wood on the fire, pour a glass of wine, and check my kids’ online homework with the TV playing in the background.
That I had the Adairs (i.e., Brodan) to thank for it was a bit awkward, but I could deal with that to have a lovely place to rest my head at night. Not that I found falling asleep easily these last few nights. The culprit was, of course, Brodan.
He was being nice to me.
At the musical rehearsals over the last two days, he’d been kind and attentive and respectful toward me.
He wasn’t overtly flirtatious or unprofessional.
Just nice. There was something different about him.
Something … lighter. Like a burden had been lifted.
Even Ellen and David commented on the change in his demeanor.
I couldn’t help but wonder if his confession and my forgiveness had effected such a change.
Could my opinion really matter that much to him?
Ugh.
I was in turmoil.
As much as I appreciated his newfound attitude, I couldn’t let go of how he’d treated me previously.
When he asked me to meet him for coffee on Saturday, I was relieved to tell him honestly that I already had plans with Sloane Harrow for brunch at Flora’s.
The truth was, I needed a friend who wasn’t an Adair. As much as I loved Arro, she’d no doubt root for whatever made Brodan happy, and if she thought that was me, there would be pressure. Regan would be the same.
An impartial friend who I might talk to about this stuff once we got friendlier sounded like a solution.
Therefore, I called Sloane and asked her to brunch.
Luckily, Callie was spending the day at Lewis’s.
He’d invited her over to play his new video game.
They’d become like two peas in a pod in class, and my chest ached every time they reminded me of how Brodan and I were as kids.
That’s all it was, I told myself continuously.
Brodan wasn’t in love with me now. He was just confused by our long history and the love we’d shared as children.
He’d realize that soon enough, and who would end up hurt again?
Me. Thus, I was standing strong against whatever plans he had to make me fall in love with him again.
I even googled him last night.
I knew it was a bad idea.
But I was weak and needed some armor against him.
Seeing images of him with one stunning beauty after another and reading articles about his dating history helped.
I was nothing like those women. For a start, they all seemed comfortable in the spotlight.
I most certainly was not. And being in a relationship with Brodan Adair would change life as I knew it.
My face would be plastered over tabloids and the internet, and jealous people would make nasty comments and question why he’d chosen me.
The speculation would make me feel trapped in my own skin.
Um, no thanks.
“That’s a serious look.” Sloane’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
I blinked, realizing I’d been so lost in my musings, I’d walked into Flora’s on autopilot. I turned to find Sloane at a table by the window. “Hi.” I laughed wryly at myself. “I’m so sorry. I was in dreamland.”
She flashed her glamorous smile and gestured to the empty chair. “No worries. I visit there often.”
Chuckling, I took the seat. “How are you?”
“Still having ‘pinch me’ moments that Callie and I live in the Scottish Highlands now, but otherwise, good.”
I wanted to ask what had brought them here, but I sensed it would be better to leave it to Sloane to tell me. “But you like it here?”
“What’s not to like? Everyone is so friendly. Callie’s found a new best friend, and I have a stable job and a nice place to live.”
“It’s not strange wandering that castle, seeing all those famous faces?”
She shrugged. “I’m from LA. I grew up seeing a famous face or two.”
“Right.”
“Have you ever been to the castle?” Sloane asked. “It’s something to see.”
Nostalgia seized me as memories of running through the halls filled my mind. “I used to be quite familiar with it before they renovated. It used to be the Adairs’ family home, but they only lived in a small portion.”
“Really?” Sloane leaned forward, her chin on her fist. “So you’re friends with them all? I did sense that at the bake sale.”
Melancholy threatened. “I used to be best friends with Brodan. When we were kids. Much like Callie and Lewis. It’s wonderful she’s found a good friend.” I attempted to change the subject.
Sloane’s whole face lit up. “I’m so relieved. And Regan is a sweetheart. She’s been telling everyone about my baking, and I got a few orders for birthday cakes.”
Flora stopped at our table. “What can I get you, ladies?”
I greeted her warmly before she took our orders, and she rested a hand on my shoulder and squeezed.
I met Flora’s eyes, and she offered a grim smile, and I knew she knew.
Last evening I’d popped in to see her mum, and I’d told her I wasn’t helping my mum anymore.
I’d even told her why. Belle understood.
She hadn’t known my dad had died either.
Apparently, Mum had told no one. Belle was so sad for me, and I’d tried my best to assure her I was okay. She’d obviously told Flora.
I think I’d been ignoring my feelings about Mum. It was easier to be distracted by Brodan than to contemplate my mother’s lies. To contemplate searching for my dad’s resting place.
I couldn’t think about it just yet.
Sloane and I fell easily back into conversation.
While we dodged personal details about our pasts, we were comfortable with each other, and I sensed that one day we could confide the hard stuff.
I’d always had a gut instinct about people, about whether a person would be a casual acquaintance or a friend I could have a fun but shallow relationship with—or someone with whom I could share a deep, genuine friendship.
I hadn’t felt the latter in years, which was why I moved back to the Highlands without it upsetting anyone’s life back in Glasgow. Sure, I got a text now and then from teachers I was friendly with down there, but that was it.
Sloane Harrow was the first person in a long time, outside of the Adairs, who I felt so comfortable with that it was like we’d known each other for years.
It wasn’t ideal that I taught her daughter, but Ardnoch was a small place, and these things couldn’t be avoided.
Sloane was in the middle of telling me that Regan had already invited her and Callie to spend Christmas with the Adairs, since they were alone here, when her attention drifted outside and she paused midsentence. A flush crested her cheeks, and I glanced out the window.
I tensed in my seat.
Brodan and Walker were strolling toward the café.
Shit.
Butterflies fluttered to life in my belly.
Seeing Sloane’s suddenly bright eyes, I shifted uncomfortably. “I thought you were used to famous people.”
Her gaze flew to mine. “Oh. Oh no, yeah, I am. It’s not … I have a little crush on Brodan’s bodyguard.”
I relaxed and hated myself for the reaction. “Ah.”
“He’s just so …” Her dreamy stare drifted back out the window.
“Rugged and sexy and tall. He works on the estate, too, you know. Every time I catch a glimpse of him at work, I swear my knees turn to jelly. What is that? I’ve never reacted like this to a guy.
And that accent … yum. And he likes my baking a lot.
” Sloane’s lips pinched together for a second.
“But he doesn’t seem to know I exist beyond the baking.
Not that I need to be in a relationship.
In fact, I need a relationship like I need a hole in the head.
” She leaned toward me and whispered, “It would be nice to get laid, though.”
I chuckled, nodding. “Aye, I know that feeling.”
Sloane grinned. “And I could climb that man like a tree.”
I burst out laughing just as the bell above Flora’s door tinkled.
“What’s so funny?”
Tensing, I looked over my shoulder to see Brodan smiling at me. Walker stood by his side. The two of them, as always, filled the small café. I shrugged. “Just girl talk.”
He studied my face like he was memorizing every feature before he looked at Sloane. “Nice to see you again.”
“You too.” She smiled prettily at him, immediately turning it on Walker. “Hi, Walker.”
“Sloane.” He nodded at her and then at me. “Monroe.”
“Hi.”
“Flora, my love, how are you?” Brodan called across the busy café. “Any extra seats so we can join these lovely ladies?”
Flora tittered like a schoolgirl as she nodded, and Walker followed her into the back to grab the folding bistro chairs.
Fuck.
Sloane practically squirmed with delight. “Looks like we have company.”
Of course, it was thrilling for her to sit with her crush. Not so thrilling for me to sit with Brodan.
It pissed me off.
I’d told him I had plans, and he’d deliberately crashed them.
Narrowing my eyes on him, I let my displeasure emanate from me as they tried to squeeze their too-tall bodies into the small chairs.
Brodan, of course, sat beside me. He leaned his elbows on the tiny table, so his arm touched mine.
His grin was wickedly boyish and sexy as hell. “Well, this is cozy.”
I glowered at him.
The bastard grinned harder.
“Oh, sorry,” Sloane suddenly said, her cheeks flushed as she shot Walker a look.
He waved her off. “I’m the one who kicked you.” He scowled at Brodan, but his friend and boss wasn’t paying attention.
“You look beautiful,” Brodan said sincerely.
Determined not to be swayed by flattery, I stared stonily at him. “You look squashed. So does Walker.”
Walker grunted in the affirmative.