Page 2 of 40 and Flashing (the Scotsman)
“Oh?”
“Carter didn’t tell you that story?” JD chuckled. “Linc decided on his first visit to preempt Erin’s construction plans and start on the complete gutting of the kitchen so he would have an excuse to horn his way into Claire’s bakery.”
Gavin grinned. “Sounds like that twat.”
The kitchen was spectacular; Gavin had to give Linc that much credit. Chrome and stainless steel sparkled in the bright overhead lights as he and JD entered after stowing his things upstairs. Lily, JD’s fiancée, sat at the bar countertop, a glass of what he presumed was sweet tea—given that they were in the South—condensating at her elbow.
Gavin held out his arms. “Lily, love!”
“Gavin!”
They hadn’t met face-to-face before now, but he and Lily had spoken via chat and video calls with JD several times. The bride-to-be stood to give him a welcome hug. Gavin threw in a quick kiss on the cheek just to hear JD complain. Lily’s amused look said she knew his game well. He imagined Linc played the same one—JD was nothing if not predictable.
Settled at the bar with a hot tea, also sweet, he and Lily chatted about wedding details for a while, JD joining in between work phone calls.
“No one wants to lose the chance to talk to him before he goes offline,” Lily explained.
“And when is that?” Gavin asked.
“Right now,” JD said, clicking his phone off. He walked around the island to give his fiancée a quick kiss. “No more work till we get back from the honeymoon. My new admin is more than capable of handling anything else.”
“With Christmas four days away, everyone else will be going offline soon too.” Lily lifted her glass and sipped her tea, humming as the cool liquid hit her tongue.
JD cleared his throat, shifting behind the island. Gavin hid a smile. Good to know the sparks were alive and well for his friends.
Lily, seeming oblivious to her effect on her fiancé, glanced at her watch. “I need to get ready so I can swing by and pick up Scarlett on our way to the restaurant.”
Gavin paused, teacup halfway to his mouth. “Anythin’ I can help with?”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t ask.”
Gavin gave her his flirtiest grin. “Put me to work, please.”
JD grunted his displeasure. “Yes, Lily, put him to work.”
Gavin winked at Lily from the side JD couldn’t see.
Lily chuckled but shook her head. “My friend Scarlett needs a ride to the rehearsal dinner, but navigating these hills can be a PITA.” She shot JD a frown. “I wouldn’t ask someone who’s never been here to drive them at night.”
Gavin scoffed. “Have ya no’ seen roads in Scotland? One lane and two cars, my bonnie lass.” He laid the brogue on thick.
“Let him go, Lily,” JD said. “Maybe he’ll get lost and we won’t have to put up with his flirting all night at the rehearsal dinner.”
Lily gave her fiancé a look.
JD gave her an insincere smile in return. “No, seriously, please send him. He can practice his playboy act on your single friends instead of you.”
Gavin’s ears perked up. “Single friends?”
Lily’s eyes sparkled. “That got your attention, huh?”
“It did.” He splayed a dramatic hand over his heart. “Did Carter not tell ya why I came to Black Wolf’s Bluff?”
“For our wedding?” JD interjected.
Gavin rolled his eyes. “O’ course not.” He turned his attention back to Lily. “Every time one of my friends comes here to visit, they find their dream woman. Why should I be any different?” Not that he was looking for a dream woman, if one even existed for him. His father, on the other hand, had been married six times. Gavin had put strict boundaries around his own love life for that very reason, long ago. But he wasn’t above a good time while he was here.
After a moment of thought, Lily gave in. “I should probably be offended by the fact that our wedding isn’t a priority—”
