Chapter 9
nine
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Juliette looks like an absolute dream today. It’s not fair for one person to be that gorgeous. I swear, I sobbed. We’re talking full-blown ugly cries when she and Knox said their vows. They’re the most beautiful couple I’ve ever seen in my life.
We’re all sitting around at the reception, drinks in hand, when Juliette suddenly gets everyone’s attention. She stands up, her eyes scanning the crowd as she clears her throat. “So,” she says, her voice a little shaky but full of excitement. “We have news to share.”
Knox leans into her, looking like the proudest husband in the world, and I’m already about to lose it because, well, how can you not look at them together and just melt? They’re that couple. They have one of those rare, soul-deep connections that makes you believe in love again.
She takes a deep breath, and for a second, I wonder if she’s going to drag this out for a little while longer. But no. She just drops the bombshell. “We’re expecting!”
I choke on my drink, sputtering as everyone erupts into cheers around us. My heart’s racing, and all I can do is sit here stunned as shock and absolute joy floods through me. This is happening. Juliette and Knox are going to be parents.
Knox pulls her into a tight hug, holding her like he’s never letting go. His eyes are full of amazement and protectiveness, and I just know they’re going to be incredible parents. This little one is going to grow up in a home filled with so much love.
I nudge Lucy next to me, still trying to wrap my head around the news that just rocked my world. “Did you know?” I whisper, my voice catching in my throat.
Lucy shakes her head, eyes wide. “No! I’m just as shocked as you are!”
I let out a shaky laugh. “Well, I guess we’re going to be aunties soon,” I say, my voice wavering between half laughing and half sobbing because it’s just all so overwhelming and wonderful at the same time.
She snorts, her eyes a little glassy. “Can you imagine? Little Knox and Juliette babies running around here?”
I grin, swiping at my eyes. “I can’t even. They’re going to be adorable.”
The energy in the room shifts almost instantly, the buzz of excitement growing louder as the news sinks in.
The entire atmosphere has been injected with pure happiness.
People are already flocking to Juliette and Knox, offering their congratulations and showering them with hugs, love, and the kind of genuine excitement that only comes from knowing someone’s dream just became a beautiful reality.
It’s amazing, everything about this. But I can’t help the tug in my chest, the bittersweet twinge. Maybe it’s because I’m standing on the outside looking in, knowing that this kind of love and happiness feels just out of reach for me.
With a deep breath, I shake it off. No point in wallowing in my own head when everyone else is basking in the glow of this incredible moment.
So, I step away, quietly slipping off to the side enough to give myself space to collect my thoughts.
The last thing I want is to get emotional in front of everyone.
I grab a glass of champagne from a nearby table, taking a slow sip as my eyes drift over to the dance floor.
Everything is gorgeous, and as I watch her and Knox, I let the music wash over me, the rhythm filling the gaps where words might fall short.
They’re surrounded by love, and for now, that’s enough.
There’s nothing but good things in the air tonight.
My mind drifts back to when I saw Callan as I walked down the aisle. Damn, he looked fine as hell standing beside his brother, all tall and confident, like he belonged in the spotlight. Our eyes locked for a split second, and I swear time seemed to stretch and snap back in an instant.
There was something in his gaze, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
Longing, maybe? I couldn’t tell, but it hit me in a way that left me breathless.
It was like he could see right through me and was just as affected by this strange, magnetic pull between us.
For a moment, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if things had turned out differently.
I shake myself out of my thoughts and refocus. Today isn’t about me. It’s Juliette and Knox’s day. But even as I try to push it away, I can feel his gaze on me during the ceremony, burning through my skin and making my heart race in a way I couldn’t have predicted.
I’m tucked in my quiet corner, nursing my champagne and watching the dance floor chaos unfold. Tonight, I’m content to simply observe from the sidelines until I hear that familiar, smooth voice.
“You look beautiful.”
I freeze, the champagne glass in my hand suddenly heavy. That deep, gravelly tone is unmistakable. Callan. My heart stutters, and I force myself to take a slow breath before I turn around to face him.
He’s even more striking up close, like some dream carved into reality. His kilt fits him perfectly, hugging his muscular frame in all the right ways, while his white shirt stretches across his chest. I can’t seem to tear my eyes away.
I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “You clean up pretty well,” I say, inwardly relieved that my words come out without giving away the butterflies doing somersaults in my stomach.
He raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Pretty well? That’s what I get after all this effort?”
“Fine, you look very dashing. Don’t get too cocky about it.”
He steps closer, his voice dropping to a low, teasing murmur. “Too late. I was feeling pretty confident when I noticed you couldn’t stop staring.”
Oh, shit. So this is happening. The flirty thing. Well, game on.
I scoff, crossing my arms and giving him my best unimpressed look. “Oh, please. I’m just making sure the kilt’s authentic.”
He chuckles. “Aye, well, there’s only one way to find out, isn’t there?”
My face instantly heats up, and I’m pretty sure my entire neck is glowing now. Damn it. I shake my head, trying to shove the blush down. Yeah, he’s totally winning this round. “Behave yourself! We’re at a wedding, for crying out loud.”
“With you around? Not a chance.”
I roll my eyes, but that damn smile’s already pulling at the corner of my lips, giving me away. “Well? Are you going to teach me how to do this dance everyone’s throwing themselves into, or what?”
His brows shoot up. He looks totally thrown off, like I just asked him to teach me how to juggle flaming swords. “You…want to dance. With me?”
“Oh, please, Callan. I’m an American woman standing next to a man in a kilt. You’re lucky I haven’t gone feral yet.”
There. Now I’m winning.
His deep, hearty laugh fills the air, and I swear, my stomach flips. Like, it literally flips. And all I can think about is how badly I want to hear that laugh again. And again. And again.
“Aye,” he says, “but you might regret it.”
I raise a brow, pretending to give it some thought. “Oh, I doubt that. How bad could it be?”
He smirks, and I can practically see the mischief dancing in those eyes of his. “Well, Sunshine, there’s more to it than you think.”
I step a little closer, the air between us suddenly charged. “Then show me, Callan. I’m ready for it.”
Wait. Hold up. Are we still talking about dancing? Because the way his eyes just darkened? Oh, god. Yeah, we might’ve just crossed into a whole different territory.
He slides his hand into mine, and the heat from his touch shoots straight up my arm, lighting me up in a way I definitely wasn’t prepared for. He sets my champagne aside and, with that smirk still in place, says, “All right then, let’s see what you’ve got.”
I follow him onto the dance floor. Everyone else is already spinning and stepping to the lively Scottish tune, looking way more graceful than I could ever hope to be. I’m pretty sure my limbs are about as coordinated as a baby deer on ice.
Callan pulls me close, his hand settling on my waist, the other still holding mine like he doesn’t plan on letting go anytime soon.
And suddenly, the rest of the world falls away.
I hear the music, feel his touch, and all I can think about is how this might be the most dangerous game I’ve ever agreed to play.
“It’s called a ceilidh dance,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. “Just follow my lead.”
Okay, sure. Following his lead sounds simple enough, but then we start moving, and I quickly realize I am completely out of my depth.
The steps are fast, way quicker than I thought, and way more intricate.
Definitely not the slow swaying I’m used to.
It’s like we’re on fast-forward, and I’m trying to catch up.
I stumble a couple of times, but every time I do, Callan’s arms are right there, supporting me, keeping me from making a complete fool of myself.
“Sorry!” I laugh, the heat rising in my cheeks. But honestly? I’m not that embarrassed. This is way too much fun, and Callan’s just rolling with it. I’ve probably trampled his shoes more than a dozen times, but he doesn’t seem fazed in the slightest.
He flashes me a grin that lights up his whole face and makes my brain short-circuit.
I forget how to breathe for a second, and I force myself to focus.
Then he leans in just a little, and his voice drops to that low, smooth tone that has absolutely no business doing what it does to me.
My heart races, and I’m pretty sure my panties are packing their bags and making a run for it.
Nice try, body. Keep it together.
“Don’t worry about it,” he says. “I’m pretty sure my feet can handle it.”
We keep moving, and soon enough, I stop worrying about the steps, or let’s be real, the absolute mess I’m making of this dance. Instead, I focus on the way his thumb brushes over my knuckles and the sound of his laughter, which is doing absolutely nothing to slow my heart down.
When the song finally ends, I’m breathless from all the dancing and laughing, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. It’s the kind of smile you can’t shake, no matter how much you try to act cool about it.
Callan rests his hands on his hips, trying to look casual, but there’s that smirk creeping up on his lips. “Looks like you’ll have to start training to keep up with me, lass. I’m starting to think you enjoy stepping on my toes.”
“Only because you look so good when you’re trying to hold me up,” I tease, and that smirk on his face turns into a full-on grin.
He takes my hand again, that confident, easy grip of his sending a jolt through me as he leads me off the dance floor. “Come on, Sunshine. Let’s get you something to drink.”
“I think I’ve earned more than just a drink,” I say, quirking my brow. “How about a medal for my amazing dance skills?”
He chuckles as he guides me toward the bar. “I’ll get you a drink, and we’ll talk about that medal later.”
With our drinks in hand, we slip away to a quiet spot.
I settle into a chair, taking a sip and letting out a contented sigh.
The atmosphere is a little more peaceful here, away from all the chatter and clinking glasses.
My eyes wander over to where Knox is spinning Juliette around with so much joy that it’s contagious.
I’ve missed seeing her smile like this. Pure happiness is written on her face, and it’s impossible not to feel a little lighter just being around it.
“It’s great to see them like this, aye?” Callan says, his voice quiet, the usual teasing gone.
“It really is,” I agree. “Can you believe we’re going to be an auntie and uncle?”
Callan’s grin stretches wide, his gaze fixed on Knox and Juliette. “Aye, I’m so happy for them. They deserve it.”
He takes a slow sip of his drink, but then his eyes drift over to mine, holding my gaze longer than necessary. “How have you been, Bree?”
“I’ve actually been really good,” I finally say. “I’ve been on a few dates, but my life mostly consists of work and my dog. You already knew that, though.”
His smile falters for a moment. It’s almost unnoticeable, but I catch it. The brief crack in his easygoing facade. “Dates, huh? Didn’t know about that.”
I can’t help but notice the slight tightening around his eyes and the way his fingers flex around his glass, like he’s trying to keep a grip on something. Is he…disappointed?
I want to ask him, but before I can even open my mouth, his resolve softens. It’s like the whole thing never happened, and he’s back to that easy smile, the one that always disarms me.
“So, dates? Anyone special?”
“Honestly? No. It’s been horrific.” I dive into the story of my disastrous dates, the ones that made me question if the universe had a secret vendetta against me.
I tell it all, from the awkward silences to the terrible pick-up lines.
It feels good to joke about it, and when Callan laughs, that familiar comfort eases back into place.
He’s shaking his head now, still trying to catch his breath. “Wow, Sunshine. Sounds like you haven’t dated a real man yet.”
The words land heavy. His piercing gaze locks onto mine. He’s not just talking about the dates. He’s saying something else entirely. And the way he says it, that challenge in his tone, makes my pulse jump.
Oh, great. There it is. That heat building between us, that irresistible pull. We both know I’m not one to shy away from a challenge. So I smirk, leaning in closer until the space between is almost nonexistent. I match the gleam in his eyes with one of my own.
Somewhere in the back of my brain, there’s a little voice whispering, You know how this ends.
Only, another voice—louder, cheekier, definitely fueled by booze and curiosity—is like, Okay, but what if it doesn’t end badly? What if it’s just fun?
What would it hurt to give in?
“Careful, Callan,” I murmur, my voice soft and teasing. “You really shouldn’t test me.”
I genuinely don’t know if I’m leaning closer because I want to or because he’s making it impossible to stay away. His pull is magnetic in the most inconvenient way. Either way, I’m all in.
He leans in even closer, his breath a whisper against my ear.
“But where’s the fun in that?” he murmurs.
Oh.
Oh no.
His chest brushes against mine, and my heart forgets how to beat like a normal organ. Just like that, any last scrap of restraint I had?
Gone.
Torched.