Chapter 15
fifteen
CALLAN
She said yes. We’re going on an actual date.
I’m sitting in the driver’s seat of my truck, and I’m pretty sure I’ve been smiling like a damn idiot for the last fifteen minutes. I know I’m usually all about keeping my cool, but right now? Screw it.
It’s the middle of the week, but I managed to snag a couple of days off, which I rarely do.
My team at the distillery is more than capable of running the show without me for a bit.
I’m the one who usually pulls the late nights and early mornings, checking in at the family distillery with Knox, but today’s different. Today’s for her.
I asked if she wanted to stay in Edinburgh for a couple of nights before she flies out.
She’s heading back soon, and I figured, why not make the most of the time we’ve got left?
Show her a little more of Scotland, give her something to take with her that’s more than just the sight of me looking like a distracted fool every time she walks into a room.
To my surprise, she agreed. No hesitation.
I didn’t tell her where we were staying, though. Call it part of the plan to keep the mystery alive. She probably thinks I’ve already booked some posh hotel with views of the castle or some fancy, crowded spot everyone’s always recommending.
I pull into Rose’s drive, the tires crunching over the gravel as I shift the truck into park. Before I even get out, the front door swings open and Rose’s standing there, already waving me inside with that amused smile of hers. Bree’s behind her, slipping on her shoes, ready to head out.
“Hey!” Bree’s eyes light up the second she spots me. It’s like a damn switch flips. The moment her face lights up like that, all excited and happy to see me, my heart does something funny.
“Hey, beautiful.” Then I turn to Rose “Aren’t you looking lovely on this fine day.”
Bree’s bright laugh rings out, and just as I’m thinking about how much I love that sound, a sharp smack lands on my arm.
Rose.
“Oh, you,” she huffs. “You think flattery is gonna save you for stealing her away from me?”
I chuckle, leaning against the doorframe. “It’s always worth a shot.”
“Well, you’re right,” Rose says. “But it’s not gonna work. Not on me, anyway.” She shoots me a look that says nice try, then turns to Bree with open arms. “Come on, get over here and give me a hug. It was so wonderful having you here.”
Bree rolls her eyes at me, smirking as she steps past. I shrug, flashing Rose a knowing grin. “You sure? ‘Cause I was talking to you, you know.”
She snorts. “Uh-huh. Keep dreaming, lover boy.”
I grab Bree’s bags and head for the truck. After tossing them into the backseat, I glance up in time to catch Bree pulling away from Rose. She spots me, her lips curving into that small, playful smile that always makes me feel like I’ve just dropped off the edge of a damn cliff.
Before I even realize it, I’m smiling back. It’s instinct at this point.
My hand finds the small of her back without a second thought, my fingers brushing against the fabric of her shirt, the warmth of her skin seeping through. It’s nothing, just a touch… Except it’s not. Not when it’s her.
I’ve always thought adrenaline was my thing, the rush of a hard ride, the snap of a well-timed decision. That was what kept me sharp. But right now, with her this close, those endorphins come from somewhere else entirely.
She glances up at me, her eyes shining with that familiar, almost electric energy that makes it impossible to look away. “Sure am.” Then, without missing a beat, she calls over her shoulder, “Bye, Rose!”
I guide her to the truck, and when I open the passenger door, she slides in effortlessly, all graceful and unhurried. Like she’s done this a hundred times before. And maybe it’s stupid, but I like the way it looks. Her in my truck, tucked into the seat like she was always meant to be there.
I round the front, sliding into the driver’s seat, and immediately feel the weight of her gaze.
She breaks the silence first. “How much do I owe you?”
I glance at her as I twist the key in the ignition. “For what, lass?”
She shifts in her seat, the playful confidence from before slipping. “For the hotel, or wherever we’re staying?”
“Not a thing, Sunshine.” I glance at her from the corner of my eye. “I’ve got a place in Edinburgh. I do enough business there that it made sense to have somewhere to stay.”
Her lips press together like she’s turning that over in her head, trying to decide if that answer satisfies whatever question she isn’t asking out loud.
“Two bedrooms,” I add. “In case you don’t want to get snuggly.”
Her head tilts, and I swear I can see the moment she decides to roll with it. “And here I thought you’d want to spoon all night.”
I chuckle, shifting the truck into gear. “Oh, don’t worry. If you ask nicely, I might still let you.”
Her laughter bursts out, bright and carefree. I could listen to it forever and forget the rest of the world even exists.
And then there’s her scent. Honey and wild roses, winding through every breath I take. It’s making it hard to focus on the road and keep myself in check when all I want to do is pull over and—
“That sounds great,” she says, breaking into my thoughts. “And I don’t think we’ll need the second bedroom.”
“Music to my ears, love,” I mutter without thinking. The moment the words slip out, I wince. Damn it. I didn’t mean to come on that strong. I glance at her out of the corner of my eye, half worried I’ve crossed an invisible line.
She doesn’t seem to mind. Her eyes are still shining, and she’s got that playful spark lighting them up like she’s not bothered at all. If anything, she looks a little more relaxed.
Her phone rings, and I catch the way her expression shifts into a quick grimace before she masks it.
“Everything all right?”
“Probably not,” she mutters under her breath, already reaching for the phone. “It’s the hospital where I work. I better take this.”
“Hi, Lis—” She doesn’t even get the full name out before whoever’s on the other end barrels over her. Her shoulders tense, and she sits a little straighter, fingers tightening around her phone like she’s bracing for impact.
“No, I can’t come into work tomorrow. I’m not even in the country,” she says, her voice clipped.
I steal another glance at her, and it’s like I’m looking at a stranger.
Gone is the Bree who teases without missing a beat.
In her place is someone wound too tight, her grip on the phone white-knuckled, her jaw set like she’s biting back words she’d rather not say.
Her eyes darken, focused on a point in the distance, not really seeing anything at all.
“Lisa, my time off has been approved for months. I’ll be back in the country on Friday.”
The voice on the other end of the line gets louder. I can’t make out the words, but I don’t need to. Bree’s fingers are twitching like she’s holding back the urge to launch her phone across the cab.
“No, I can’t find a flight that leaves today… You’re writing me up? For being on vacation with my approved vacation time?”
A pause. Then, flatly, “Okay. Yeah. Bye.”
She jams her finger against the phone screen with force and puts it down slowly, her hand still gripping tight.
Her face has gone pale, and her chest rises and falls a little too fast in an attempt to force all that anger down and lock it up before it spills over.
“I’m sorry,” she says. “I shouldn’t have answered that.”
“Don’t apologize, lass. I’m just pissed off that someone’s made you feel like that.”
She lets out a short laugh, but there’s nothing cheerful about it. “It’s just Lisa. My boss. She’s awful. I’ve been trying to get a transfer, maybe move to another hospital, but nothing’s working out. With everything going on this year, switching jobs probably isn’t the smartest move.”
“Aye, I get that. You could always quit and move to Scotland instead,” I suggest, half joking.
Okay, fine. Not joking at all.
She tilts her head, eyes narrowing slightly like she’s actually considering it. “Scotland, huh? And what would I do here, exactly? Become a whisky connoisseur like yourself?”
A slow grin tugs at my lips. “Well, you could always work on perfecting the accent. It’s crucial for blending in.”
Her light, easy chuckle drifts through the air and sinks into me, making itself comfortable. The tension in her shoulders starts to loosen. “I think I’d be better off with the whisky part.”
“Fair enough. If you ever decide to make the move, I’d be happy to offer my expertise in both areas.” I glance over, letting my gaze linger a second longer than necessary before adding, “I’m a generous guy like that.”
I throw in a wink just to make sure she knows I’m only half kidding.
She shakes her head, her smile easy now. “I’ll keep that in mind. Just don’t expect me to go full Highland cow with the accent.”
A loud bark of laughter bursts out of me. “Bree... I’ve heard a lot of things in my life, but that? I don’t know what that even means, but I’m terrified.”
“Have I rendered the infamous Callan MacKenzie speechless?”
“Hardly.” I shake my head, still chuckling. “I’m just trying to picture you with a Highland cow accent. Might be a bit too…shaggy for my taste. Pun absolutely intended.”
She groans, rolling her eyes, but I catch the smile she’s trying to hide. “Oh, please. You know you’d love me even if I sounded like a barnyard animal.”
That word again. Love. She tosses it out so easily, like it’s just another joke, but it hits me square in the chest. Does she even realize she’s said it?
“You’re something else, Sunshine. I think I’ll keep you,” I murmur, keeping my voice light, but there’s no mistaking the truth behind the words.
Reaching across the console, I let my hand settle on her thigh. There’s a split second where I hesitate and every nerve in my body screams at me to be careful, to not rush this and ruin whatever incredible thing is building between us. Bloody hell, I like this woman. More than I should.