Page 10 of Bargain Match

“I didn’t say anything.”

“No, but you’ve been pouting like a baby for twenty-four hours now.”

“Twenty-four hours is the key part of that,” I grumble.

“What was that?”

I sigh. “What do you expect from me, Hadley? We just flew halfway around the world with five—five!—layovers.”

“It was the cheapest option.”

“And on all five legs, we were cramped into middle seats without the extra legroom.” I hold up my hand to stop her before she can once again state that this was the most inexpensive option. “Then we land in Edinburgh where the car you’ve rented is too small for me to fit behind the steering wheel. And now we’re sitting outside an inn that looks like it was built before England invaded.”

She moistens her lips. “Look, I know this hasn’t been a luxury vacation so far.”

“Or at all.”

“But, I thought we were in agreement. We travel as frugally as possible so we can maximize our cash payout at the end.”

“Yeah, but there’s frugal and there’s insanity.”

She just shakes her head and mumbles something about having no idea that her best friend was such a little princess. I want to object, but the headache forming behind my eye is throbbing enough, that I can’t muster the strength.

Grabbing our luggage, we push open the creaking door. I’m halfway relieved the ceiling doesn’t collapse on us as we step inside.

I glance around the large room crammed with scuffed-up wooden tables and chairs. For a moment, it’s like we’re being transported back to the Elk Shack. Only, instead of hunting trophies and neon beer lights on the wall, there are paintings of deer and horses.

And—credit where credit is due—it looks clean.

A kindly-looking gray-haired woman behind an old desk jumps to her feet and claps our hands. “Oh, ye must be our lovebirds.”

“We’re—”

Before Hadley can finish, the woman has pulled each of us into hugs. “M’name is Glynis. And that stubborn old cuss there by the fire is m’husband, Malcolm. Malcolm!” she calls out.

An even older gentleman with a piece of wood and knife in his hands grunts from his leather seat by the fireplace.

“See what I mean.” Glynis shakes her head. “Stubborn old cuss. But he means well.”

“I know the type.” Hadley narrows her eyes at me.

“Ye must be so tired after your journey. A nap will set ye right up.” Glynis ushers us through the room with the skill of an expert shepherdess. “We have just the room for the pair of ye.”

I arch an eyebrow and nearly trip over my feet. “One room?”

Hadley meets my gaze and lowers her voice. “One room, less expense, equals more money in the bank.”

Not hearing Hadley’s explanation, Glynis offers one of her own.

“Of course, we have one room for ye.” Her eyes sparkle with delight. “I’ve reserved a room perfect for a pair of lovebirds. And the pair of ye, I can tell, are truly, madly in love. It’s our honeymoon suite. I wager ye won’t find a finer room, even in Edinburgh”

I nearly choke on my own tongue while Hadley bites back a laugh. I dart a quick glare at her. How can she possibly think this is funny?

“We can’t wait to see the room,” Hadley practically purrs. Playing the part of a girlfriend in love, she leans into me. She slides a hand up and down my chest, making my heart pound faster and harder with every stroke. “I just hope it has a big bed.”

I go ahead and choke on air now and my cheeks suddenly feel hot.

Seemingly unaware of my distress, Glynis bobs her head up and down. “Aye, aye. Come along. Malcolm will grab yer luggage if ye’ll follow me.”

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