Page 41 of The Rescue

He hasn’t called me by that nickname in front of the others, only when it’s just us. For two people who have a strict professional relationship, he does a great job at making me feel less anxious. The conversation with my mama feels like a distant memory now that I’m here with him.

Rabbie places a glass of whisky in front of me and I gingerly sip it because I know if I get too drunk I will get the courage to make a move, and I want to save myself from the embarrassment of his rejection. Drinking alcohol and having a crush on someone is a recipe for disaster, so I need to pace myself. These bloody Scots drink like fish, and there’s no way I can keep up with them anyway.

We spend the rest of the night drinking and talking about spending the weekend at the cabin and the St. Andrews party. I catch Rabbie looking at me a few times, and I wish I could tell what he’s thinking. The nickname floating around in my head, why would he refer to me as‘my little’if we were just friends. Dylan looks at me too, and she frowns at me. I think she’s realised that something has shifted because usually she’s rolling her eyes at me when I’m drooling over men. But, I’ve stopped seeing Rabbie as another gorgeous man to add to my list of hookups. He’s so much more than that. The way he comforted me after the call with my mama, the way he knew how to say all the right things. It was a feeling I never thought I would have, but a feeling of wanting more than just casual. I wanted more than that, and it’s starting to freak me out. I’m scared that there’s a small part of me that really likes this guy.

I don’t know what all this means, but I need to get through my stay here, and then I can forget about him when I get back to Boston. But I know deep down I’m lying to myself. Rabbie is going to be a hard one to forget.

14

Rabbie

I shouldn’t be taking any time away from the cafe,especially with how busy things are at the moment. But I jumped at the chance to be able to spend time with Crystal away from the cafe. After witnessing the way her mum spoke to her yesterday, I have an overwhelming need to make her happy, and time away up at the cabin will be perfect.

I had to bite my tongue when her mum kept throwing dig after dig at her, telling off her wouldn’t be a good look, besides I don’t yell or speak to women in that way. I kept squeezing Crystal’s shoulder because the red-hot anger running through my body was too much. How could anyone see her in that way, especially her own mother?

“You ready, sugar?”

I blink up and smile as she walks into the living room, she’s wearing her signature cowboy boots, and denim shorts. Her winged eyeliner makes her green eyes pop. I don’t care what hermum thinks, I think she’s beautiful just the way she is. Her thick red hair is curled today, and it’s so long it nearly reaches the small of her back.

She stops dead in her tracks and cocks her head to the side, when I don’t answer. Seriously, what is it with me and forgetting how to use simple words around her?

“Aye, I just need to have a quick word with Nellie and David downstairs,” I stand and grab her bag.

“Wow, you’ve packed light,” I move her bag up and down.

A small smirk spreads across her face, and she rolls her eyes playfully.

“We’re only going for two nights. Besides, since Cam told me there’s a hot tub at the cabin, I plan to spend most of my time soaking in it and that requires no clothes.”

My cock springs to life at the thought of seeing Crystal half naked in a hot tub. Fuck, maybe this weekend wasn’t such a good idea after all. This is going to be tortuous for me and my cock.

We both make our way downstairs and load our bags into my car. Nellie and David are waiting by the back door, looking like parents sending their kids off on a trip.

“Alright, you two, we are off. The locals know that the kitchen is closed for the weekend, but I’ve made plenty of fresh scones and bread. If there are any issues, the cabin has a landline, I’ve left the number on the fridge. We will be back on Sunday afternoon.”

“Don’t stress, you go have some fun,” Nellie eyes me with a smirk.

I tense up because I hope it’s not that obvious that I have a crush on Crystal?

“Aye, boss. We’ve got it covered here,” David slaps me on the back.

“David, we all know I’m in charge,” Nellie rolls her eyes at her twin brother, and shoos him away.

“Don’t forget to feed Edie, that’s the most important thing.”

“Dinna fash, she will be fed twice a day and will get lots of cuddles.” Nellie reassures me.

This is the first time leaving Sweet Treats since becoming the owner, and my anxiety about leaving my livelihood in the hands of Nellie and David makes me feel a little nauseous. I know they will be fine, and living here in Crossmackie we all look out for one another. Crystal places her hand on my arm, and all the anxiety melts away as she gives me a reassuring smile.

“We should get going before it gets dark,” she reminds me.

“Aye, see you on Sunday. Behave you two, no bickering,” I point between them and smile.

Crystal and I climb in my car, and make our way out of the village. We’re not even two minutes out of the village before Crystal is reaching for the aux cord in my crappy old car. As a business owner I should have a better car, but I don’t really use it that often because I rarely leave Crossmackie. I have a wee old van too but David drives that around to drop off deliveries. I let him keep it at his house and drive around outside of work on the condition he fills it with petrol.

Crystal smiles at me as she hits play on her phone and my car is filled with the twangy sound of country music.

“I thought you were a city girl?”

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