Page 56 of One Night in Edinburgh

‘With your sister?’

I nod.

‘I thought as much.’ He gives me a sympathetic squeeze. ‘Let me guess, she’s gone and blabbed about me to your family.’

‘Spot on.’ I throw him an exasperated look.

I intentionally don’t mention that Kayleigh’s already sowing doubt about Jamie in the minds of my family – and generally being a stuck-up cow. He doesn’t need to hear any of that. It does make me wonder though – how I’ll ever be able to bring a bloke into my family without them being judged and made to feel uncomfortable. Luckily, Jamie probablyiscloser to the first of Kayleigh’s two categories, based on what his friend said at New Year about him going places.

That’s it. That’ll shut them up.

I quickly tap out a response and hit send.

Steph:

Kayleigh, you’re so out of order! That was my news to tell, when I decided to share it. I don’t know Jamie that well yet, because it’s still early days, but to get you to shut the hell up, his friend said he’s got him pegged as a future billionaire, so he must be successful at what he does.

I’m about to stuff my phone back in my pocket furiously, when Kayleigh replies.

Kayleigh:

Awesome! Definitely like the idea of having a billionaire in the family. Pass me his info and I’ll do an online search to get the juice on him.

‘Isowill not.’ I snort at her cheek.

‘You “so will not” what?’

Jamie’s question snaps me out of my funk. I’ve been so busy working myself up into a stink that I almost forgot he was there, and that’s hard to do. It’s a measure of how much my family – especially Kayleigh – press my hot buttons.

‘Sorry, it’s nothing. Kayleigh winds me up something awful.’

‘I know this is rich coming from me. I’ve only met her for a few minutes, and you’ve had to deal with her for a lifetime, but you shouldn’t let her get to you like that.’

‘I know.’ I absently stuff a chip in my mouth and chew and swallow it quickly, so I can continue. ‘Easier said than done. We’ve never seen eye to eye. She’s a self-obsessed drama queen who’d sell anyone out if it would get her ahead. And I’m…’ I trail off, unsure that I want to define myself in front of Jamie.

He smiles at my reluctance. ‘I’ll go. Beautiful, kind-hearted and caring.’

‘You make me sound like Mother Theresa. I’m definitely no Mother Theresa.’

‘Well, obviously. I mean, for a start, she’d have never used the language that just came out your mouth.’

I giggle at this. ‘That’s only because she didn’t have a sister like Kayleigh.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Well, if she did and she didn’t lose the rag over her, she was a better woman than me.’

‘I think the fact that she was Mother Theresa makes her a better woman than you. Sorry.’ Jamie grins at me mischievously.

‘Hoi.’ I give him a playful push. ‘I thought you were trying to make me feel better.’

‘I am. But I’m also an honest guy.’

I laugh loudly and take a drink from my can of juice.

‘Seriously, though,’ Jamie continues. ‘You’re all of those things I described. You work for a charity and you care about that cause – so much that you’re doing extra hours there. You were so upset that you’d hurt a total stranger’s feelings that you followed him to the men’s to apologise. And you’re worried about the wellbeing of the ducks on the Water of Leith. I may not know you well, but I can see the kind of person you are. So that, as well as your stunning good looks, is what draws me to you… oh, and you’re a good laugh too, which always helps.’

With his arm still around me, Jamie pulls me in for a delicious salt-and-vinegary kiss that allows me to temporarily forget my woes. When we pull apart, he looks at me inquisitively.

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