Page 26 of Wild Scottish Beauty

“He knows better.” Ramsay nodded at Graham, returning his eyes to the screen.

“Och, it’s like that, is it, mate? Understood.” Graham held his hands in the air.

“It’s not.” Ramsay shook his head.

“Like what? It’s not like anything,” I argued to Graham.

“I’m just looking out for her.” Ramsay’s tone put me on edge.

“Looking out for me?” My voice rose as anger snaked through me. The last thing I needed was another overprotective brother hovering over my every move. If I wanted to go to a rugby match with a hot bartender, then I could do so. Not that I’d really go, since I wanted Agnes to like me, but the point was about being controlled, not about being able to date. “I don’t need you to look out for me.”

Ramsay ignored me, his arms crossed, concentrating on the game.

“Excuse me? Hello? You don’t get a say in my life,sir.” Turning, I looked askance at Agnes and Sophie. “Can you believe him?”

“Unbelievable,” Sophie agreed.

“Do you care if I say yes to this rugby match? Just to prove a point to Ramsay? I just got out of a bad breakup, so I promise I’m not looking to date anyone,” I whispered.

“By all means, have at it.” Agnes spread her hands out. “I hate men telling me what to do about as much as I hate loose men who date every woman that blows through town.”

“Got it. No touching of Graham.”

“I didn’t say?—”

“Graham?” I smiled sweetly at the bartender. “I’d love to go to the rugby match. Thanks for asking.”

“No.” Ramsay shook his head at Graham, completely ignoring me. My blood heated.

“Um, hmm.” Graham looked between the two of us, a worried look on his face.

“Och, you’ve stepped in it now.” Agnes hooted.

“Well? You did ask me on a date, didn’t you? Are you not a man of your word?”

“Of course I am. The Scots pride themselves on honoring their word. I’d love to take you to the match, Willow.”

“Did you hear that, Ramsay?” Sophie raised her voice, injecting a syrupy sweet note. “The Scots are known to be men of their words.”

“Bloody hell.” Ramsay rose and stormed toward the bathroom.

I looked around the bar.

“I missed something, didn’t I?”

“Nothing that won’t sort itself out in due time, lass. Now, was it steak pie you were thinking then?” Graham leaned in, tapping a finger on the menu in front of me. Confused about the undercurrents here, but needing food and a good night of sleep, I nodded and turned to Sophie.

“I think I’m going to need to crash after this. I’m dead on my feet. Plus, I’m not sure how much more I can take of Grumpy McJerkface tonight.”

“Aww, you just reminded me of when Matthew and I called Lachlan Grumpy McHottie.” Sophie sighed. “Matthew’s my best friend. You’ll meet him at some point if you stick around. He flies out when he can.”

“I love Matthew,” Agnes agreed.

Ramsay returned, ignoring us, and posted up at the bar again to watch the game. What was his deal anyway? There was no reason for him to step into this brotherlyrole. I didn’t ask for it and I certainly didn’t need it. I was tired of being treated like I was just a child. I was almost twenty-seven years old, had a fashion design degree, and had been in several relationships. It was all so ridiculous. What was Ramsay’s deal?Had he already tattled to Miles? Already been given the lowdown of my disastrous life?

Thankfully, not long after, my delicious steak pie arrived, and I dug in with gusto. It was the perfect combination of soft pastry, thick sauce, and melt-in-your mouth steak. Perfect for a cold night, that was for sure. Conversation had been fun and easy between Agnes and Sophie, I could see us becoming fast friends, which was welcome given the last few months of my life. I’d needed this type of inclusion.

By eight o’clock, as much as I’d loved the atmosphere of the pub—except for the belligerent, green-eyed Scot—I was ready to leave. My annoyance with Ramsay had grown into full-blown anxiety. He’d roundly ignored me for the rest of the match, abstaining from joining in any more conversation that involved me. For being a family friend, he certainly wasn’t acting like one. And now I supposedly had to work with this man?

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