Page 76 of The Castle in the Bay

Ruaridh shook his head. ‘Na. Maybe I was a bit pissed that you’d go for someone else when you could have had this.’ He pulled an impressive bicep and laughed. Iona glanced away, smirking. ‘But you and me were never going to be together. You’re my friend, and as we’re two of the only single people on the island, it seemed like it would be a good idea, but I can see how much you like him.’

‘Thanks.’

‘He’s finishing his packing in the annex.’ Ruaridh pointed to it. ‘Go talk to him and tell him I’m ready when he is.’

Without another word, she turned and sprinted towards the annex. She reached the door and knocked, her hand trembling.Monty opened it almost immediately, his eyes widening in surprise. Without a word, Iona stepped in and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. He hugged her back, patting her gently, but didn’t speak.

‘I think we should have one last practice before you go,’ she said, her voice muffled against his shoulder. It was warm there, and she didn’t want to move. This was like the safest, most glorious place in the world.

‘I don’t think we can.’ He pulled back slightly to look at her. ‘We don’t have time… And really, I don’t think I need anymore practice, do you?’

‘Not exactly.’ She stroked her fingers around his jawline, fixing him in her gaze. Everything about him looked so appealing now, so far from how she’d seen him when they first met. ‘But there’s one important thing we’ve not done.’

‘Is it the one where we say goodbye?’ He tilted his head, his eyes clouding. ‘Because I’m not sure I can do that. It’s too painful.’

‘No. It’s the one where you say you love her… and mean it.’

He frowned and shook his head. ‘The one where I say I loveher?’

Iona nodded, though it made her insides ache. This was the reality she’d been preparing for. She wanted to tell him she loved him, and this could be it… If she heard the words on his lips first, even if they weren’t meant for her, she could play along.

‘That won’t work.’ He looked away.

‘Why not?’ Her heart sank, but his eyes refocused on her and held her there for a long moment.

‘Because I don’t loveher.’ He paused, still maintaining eye contact to the point where it was almost painful. ‘I loveyou.’

Her insides flipped over, and her head spun… Had he just said it? And meant it… But wait, no. This was part of the act, right? Wrong?Oh fuck, she was so confused, and now the moment washere, she’d forgotten all her plans – what she’d wanted to say and how. Everything was a mess again.

‘Wow…’ She swallowed, trying to force a coherent response. ‘If you say it like that, she’ll definitely believe it…’

He shook his head. ‘I’m never going to say it to Sophie.’ Leaning forward, he planted a lingering kiss on her forehead. ‘I’m saying it to you. I’m not going back to Sophie, but I am going back to work and my real life.’

‘Wait… What? You’re saying you loveme? Like for real?’

‘Yes. Isn’t it obvious? You’re the most incredible, brave, and vibrant person I’ve ever met. I wish things were different, and we’d met somewhere more suitable for both our careers. But I understand the practicalities. You’re a free spirit and long-term relationships aren’t your thing. And that’s ok, because it’s part of what makes you. If you weren’t such a wild soul, I wouldn’t have fallen for you quite so hard. It’s what I love so much about you.’ He pulled her close and hugged her again. ‘But I have to go. I’m sorry.’

She clung to his neck, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes and she kissed his cheek, unable to move her lips until he gently pulled away.

‘It’s been such a pleasure knowing you.’ He kissed her softly on the lips, but it didn’t last long enough. ‘I can’t thank you enough for how you’ve helped me, and I genuinely wish you every happiness.’ One last brief kiss, then he picked up his bag, let out a long breath, and left.

Iona stood alone, hugging herself, barely holding back tears. The annex was silent. Empty. Cold. Very similar to how she felt. After all her intentions, she hadn’t said anything. All her feelings were still tumbling about inside her. Car doors banged outside, and she went to the window. Ruaridh’s car was driving off, another figure just visible in the passenger seat.

Monty had gone.

She gripped the windowsill, staring after the car as it disappeared down the road. The enormity of what he’d just said hit her like a wave crashing over her and knocking her sideways off her board.

‘He loves me,’ she whispered to herself, her voice breaking. Who else had ever said those words? No one she could remember. Maybe her parents once upon a time before she started to disappoint them. Never a boyfriend. And now a fling. Or someone who’d started as a fling. But really, he was so much more. And she’d let him go without any hope of ever seeing him again.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Monty

Beautiful Barra rolled past like a highlights reel of Hebridean scenery just for Monty’s pleasure. Ruaridh was driving, so Monty could kick back and enjoy the sunshine, the turquoise ocean and grassy tufts dancing in the breeze. Except it all felt like a sharp reminder of what he was about to lose. The wild beauty would soon be a memory to look back on in photographs… Justlike Iona. Leaving her was a horrible wrench, but he couldn’t take her with him.

As they drove through Castlebay, he looked out at Kisimul Castle, pressing a fist to his heart as he did so. Hopefully his father’s soul was free now, carried away by crosswinds and Atlantic waves, soaring high like Iona when she kite-surfed.

‘You had a good stay?’ Ruaridh asked.

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