Page 35 of Scotch & Dreams

"I'll get your door," Lachlan said, getting out and striding to her side of the car to open the door for her.

She got out of the car and stood before him looking all adorable in her hoody with her messy blond hair tied up. He pulled her into a hug, despite himself. He held her to him, kissing the top of her head, breathing in her intoxicating vanilla scent and hoping he could commit it to memory.

He watched as she walked to the door and unlocked it. She gave him a quick wave before disappearing inside. Lachlan sighed and got back into the car.Well, that’s it then, he thought to himself soberingly, starting his engine. As he drove away, he replayed their time together. He felt her absence immediately. It was visceral. He wondered how it was possible that after such a short time of having her around, it could feel so empty without her. It was a little disconcerting. Well, it was done now. He'd done the right thing. He helped the lass. That was the important part. Now, he would get on with his life. No need to worry about her as she was clearly doing just fine now. It was great meeting her and spending some time with her, but that was it now. No complication—well, not really. There was that one kiss and almost how many others. He clenched the steering wheel.

Chapter 22

Lunch with the Clairvoyant

LachlanmetOrlaghattheir favourite artisan sandwich restaurant down in the village,Piece.

“Lachlan, over here,” she called to him from near the front window. Sunlight caught in her brown hair, turning it gold, and made her already sparkly blue eyes look almost ethereal—like some kind of white witch. Orlagh had an essence about her that was hard to miss, as if she had lived a thousand lives and quietly carried the mystery of the universe in her tiny five foot three frame.

He strode over to the table, leaning down to give his little sister a hug and peck on the cheek. “Did ye order yet?” He sat across from her, noting how busy it was. Every seat was filled, and there was a line at the door. Likely, the sunny weather had people wanting to be out and about.

“Yep, two grilled cheese sandwiches.”

“Braw,” he said, pleased with that decision. He was surprised how hungry he was after breakfast with Violet this morning. A vision of her jean-clad arse standing at his cooker popped in his mind.

Orlagh eyed him dubiously. “You look different.”

“Ah, yes, well, I had my hair cut last week,” he said, turning profile as if to let her fully assess it.

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it," she scoffed.

He smiled, all innocence. She was still looking at him as if trying to solve a puzzle, and it unsettled him.

“Did ye meet someone?” Her face lit up as the words tumbled out of her mouth.

God, he swore she had a sixth sense, but he played dumb. “Someone? Well, yes, I did, in fact, meet a new distributor from California, Steve. Pleasant man.”

"Lachlan! I mean a lass, ye met a lassie. Tell me I'm wrong." Her face lit with glee.

A skinny young man wearing a black t-shirt and a gray waist apron with the word “Piece” written in white sans serif font approached the table and placed down two glasses and a glass water pitcher as well as two mugs of coffee, and then he was away again as fast as he'd arrived.

Lachlan picked up his mug of coffee and took his first fortifying sip. "You ken what I like about this place?" He didn't wait for an answer. "The mugs are a good size. Not the piddly little ones most restaurants are so fond of using, barely big enough for a wee nymph.”

"What?" Orlagh looked at him like he'd gone mad.

"The mugs?" he said, holding it up by way of explanation.

"Never mind the bloody mugs. Tell me about the lass!”

Lachlan shook his head. "Ye ken I am in a relationship with Anna.” He said it as if it was the be-all and end-all of the conversation, despite it feeling almost foreign on his tongue today. Christ, it was hard enough to deal with his own emotions at the moment. He didn't need his little sister muddying the waters further.

"Aye,Anna." She drew out her name. "I dinnae like her. She thinks too highly of herself.”

"Well, she's an accomplished woman," Lachlan half-heartedly defended her.

"An' she ken's it," Orlagh clapped back.

Lachlan rolled his eyes. He knew very well that his sister wasn't fond of Anna. She'd made her feelings clear from the get-go.

"Never mind Anna, right now. Tell me about the lassie ye met."

Lachlan sometimes wondered if his sister was clairvoyant. She was way too perceptive. Orlagh could make a living as a psychic—wouldn't even need a crystal ball.

Several years back, Lachlan planned a road trip with one of his best friends since primary school, Jacob—whom Orlagh had a crush on. She'd practically begged Lachlan not to go. She claimed she had a “bad feeling” about it. On more than one occasion before the trip, she tried to convince him that something was going to happen and that he’d regret going. She even cornered Jacob and tried to convince him to boycott the trip. Lachlan believed the true reason his sister did not want them to go was because she was worried that it was a boys’ trip where they’d be on the prowl which, of course, was the plan. Lachlan ignored her warnings, but she managed to rattle Jacob. He questioned whether they should actually go. Lachlan remembered teasing his friend for giving his little sister any heed. Orlagh was not going to ruin their trip.

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