Page 24 of The Rescue

“I can tolerate that fluff ball if it stays away from me and my things.”

Dylan laughs hard at my hatred for cats.

“How are things going with the website?”

“It shouldn’t take me long, it should be completed before the holidays.”

“So you’ll go back to Tennessee for Thanksgiving and Christmas?”

Dylan is the only person who knows how much I don’t like going back to Tennessee. She knows that the holidays are a tense time for me because it’s the only time I go home.

“I’ll stay for Thanksgiving because that’s less time I have to spend in Tennessee. The website shouldn’t take me long to do, but I’ll stick around just for you. Plus, I won’t leave until I’ve fooled around with Rabbie a few times,” I wink, trying to make light of the conversation.

Dylan rolls her eyes at me, and I feel a small stab of shame. I don’t usually care about what other people think when it comes to my sex life, but Rabbie is so loved by everyone in this town, and he’s genuinely a sweet guy, that I feel guilty. Heck, I don’t know if he’s interested, but I’ll be damned if people make me feel ashamed for being attracted to the man.

“What is so wrong with having a little fun?”

“Nothing, I just don’t think Rabbie is that type of guy,” she shrugs her shoulders.

“You’ve mentioned this, but have you actually asked him about it?”

Dylan blinks at me, because we never really have heated conversations like this, but she’s treating Rabbie as some fragile thing that might break.

“Well, no, he never talks about stuff like that.”

“Then you don’t know what he wants in life, there’s no shame in casual hookups. I know it’s not your cup of tea.”

I don’t know how the conversation got here, but I’m feeling the stress from this time of year with the thought of visiting my family, and I don’t like the judgement I’m getting from my best friend.

Dylan stops, and I hate the look on her face, we never argue or have disagreements.

“Look, I don’t even know if he’s interested in me, but there’s no harm in a bit of innocent flirting.” I fold my arms and look out over the beach.

“Yeah, you’re right. I just care about you both so much, I’d hate for one of you to get hurt.”

“You worry too much. As long as you make your intentions clear, and it’s consensual, then no one will get hurt. Finding love isn’t for everyone, not everyone gets a happy ending like you and Cam.”

I don’t know why saying that made my stomach dip, I don’t want to be tied down in a mundane relationship with someone who I grow old and miserable with. It’s too close to my parents’ relationship, I’d rather be single forever than be in an unhappy marriage.

My parents have been married for a long time, and growing up in a loveless marriage was weird to see. I never saw either one of them raise their voices at each other, but then again I never saw any affection between them either. It was like they were just stuck with one another, and acted more like roommates than lovers. That’s why I’ve been single for so long, because that type of relationship sounds like hell to me.

I don’t like all this talking about relationships, and people’s feelings getting hurt. What happened to having fun, well I guess that’s what happens in small towns, nothing ever happens in them. I can’t wait to get back to Boston to the bars and restaurants, and my endless roster of casual hookups.

“You’re right, I’m sorry. I’ll back off.” She places her hand on my arm.

“Are we going to get together for Thanksgiving? I know the Scots don’t celebrate it, but thought it would be nice to at least be together.” I ask, changing the subject.

“Yeah, I was thinking of hosting a dinner at Thistle Down Farm, if Rosie is okay with me using her kitchen. We won’t all fit in the cottage.”

“You know I never turn down a good party, will everyone be there at thanksgiving?”

“Yep, the usual crew. It will be nice for us to get together. My Grannie Jo will love it, and I’ll invite Mrs MacNee too.”

“Sounds good, I know it’s not for a while, but I know being the little control freak that you are, you’ve started planning for this. I’m happy to help with the cooking.”

Dylan looks at me with a hesitant look, and she smirks at me. Dylan has had first-hand experience of my terrible cooking.

‘“I’ll let you peel potatoes, and that’s it.”

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