Page 6 of 40 and Flashing (the Scotsman)
He really was captivated with the wee kitten, wasn’t he?
Taking Scarlett’s hand, he threaded it through his arm to escort her inside.
The party had the restaurant to themselves for the night. Walking inside, they were met with a wall of noise—people talking, laughing, even some singing. Gavin soaked in the atmosphere, feeling his energy rise as only a true extrovert could do. Scarlett, on the other hand, handed over her coat but seemed hesitant to join the crowd.
Gavin bent to her ear. “Do ya know everyone here?”
She turned to him, the move bringing their faces close together. “The people from town, at least. JD has a lot of clients here from out of town.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I think they also invited anyone who wasn’t able to come on Christmas Day, so it’s not your typical rehearsal dinner. More like a pre-wedding party.”
That explained it. “Would ya be willing to introduce me around?” It was a way to keep her near him, aye, but he wasn’t going to apologize for that. He was often pegged as a playboy when what he really was, was a man who enjoyed pleasure. If being near a woman gave him pleasure, he stayed. As long as he kept to his rule of no more than a week together, he was fine.
Why a week? It probably sounded ridiculous—why put an arbitrary limit on the amount of time he could spend with a woman? And of course, like all things ridiculous in adulthood, it stemmed from his childhood experiences with his father. William Blackwood had rarely met a woman he didn’t want. Unfortunately he too often mistook lust for love—the man had married six times already. And in every instance he’d spent mere days with the woman before rushing off to elope.
Gavin wouldn’t put himself or a woman through that kind of roller coaster. So he stuck to his rule, ridiculous or not.
Scarlett glanced behind him, then shook her head. “I think Carter has other plans.”
He followed her look to see his friend headed their way. He gave Scarlett’s hand a squeeze. “Save me a dance then?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “I will.”
“I’ll find ya later.”
He watched Scarlett join a small group of women her age, including Erin, Carter’s fiancée, whom he’d met before. One of the women had to be in her eighties, and his eyes shot wide when he noticed that she had a leash in her hand. At the other end was a huge tomcat, daintily cleaning its paw as it watched the crowd around it.
A cat at a rehearsal dinner. That was definitely a new one on him.
Carter stopped beside him and snagged flutes of champagne off a passing waiter’s tray for each of them. “Thanks.”
The waiter nodded. “Dinner will be out shortly.”
Carter handed Gavin a glass. “You didn’t get lost in the woods.”
He scoffed. “Me? Are ya off yer head?”
Carter laughed. “Considering how many times you’ve almost gotten me killed driving in Scotland, I had no doubt you’d be back in one piece.”
Gavin sipped the champagne while arching a superior brow at his friend. Carter slapped him on the back. “Let me show you around.”
Thus began the whirlwind of introductions to what seemed like every person who must live in this tiny town. He met members of the town council, Lily’s admin and his fiancée, her parents, several employees from Claire’s bakery, and even Claire. The lovely woman fussed over a cake table, shooing away the Carousel’s staff when they would’ve taken over. “I made the damn thing; I’ll take care of it myself.”
Carter and Gavin joined a laughing Lincoln at the table. “You know you’re supposed to be off tonight, right, sweetheart?” Linc was saying.
“I’m never off when my food is nearby.”
Lincoln turned to Gavin, reaching to give him a bro hug. “Good to see you.” He gestured to Claire. “She really isn’t, by the way. It’s a fault in her that I can’t seem to break.”
“Are you saying it’s wrong for a woman to care about her job?” Claire asked, glaring down her lover.
Gavin raised his eyebrows. “I don’ think I’d answer that one, my friend.” He extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet ya in person, Claire.”
“Oh my God, I love your accent.” She took his hand.
Gavin added a bit more brogue to his words. “I’m glad it pleases ya, my dear.”
Linc forcibly separated their fingers. “If you like it that much, Claire, I’m sure I can figure out how to adopt an accent myself.” He glared at Gavin. “Stop flirting with my woman.”
“What is it with everyone accusing me of flirtin’?” Gavin grinned. He was flirting, but he also enjoyed giving his friends a hard time.
