Page 4 of It Started with a Kiss
I smiled. ‘Well, you don’t really.’
His brow furrowed. ‘Your mother’s cooking is inedible, and mine’s even worse. Lord only knows what we’ll do for food.’
I couldn’t help chuckling at his comment. ‘I’m sure you’ll manage.’
Dad reached for me with the arm that wasn’t tied up to drips and gripped me weakly. ‘Finlay. I need you to promise me something.’
Oh God... here it comes. ‘Of course. What is it, Dad?’
He looked me straight in the eyes. ‘That you’ll set a date and marry Elise as soon as possible.’
My heart plummeted.Oh, shit, shitty, shit.‘Dad… I can’t—’
‘Pish tosh, Finlay. Youcanand youmust. Promise me. I may not be around too much longer and I want to know that grandsons are at least on the horizon. That brother of yours is refusing to tell me the sex of his unborn child. Says he wants it to be a surprise, which leads me to believe it’s probably a girl. But you know how antagonistic he can be towards me. If I thought it possible I’d believe he’d have a girl to spite me. But you… you Finlay… you could be the one to carry on the family name and business. So… promise me.’
Talk about a guilt trip. I took a deep breath, released myself from my father’s feeble grip, and rubbed my hands over my face. ‘Yes, Dad. I promise.’
4
Star
‘Are you going out with Mick the prick tonight, Twinkle?’ Alec’s voice called to me from the living room where he had papers spread all over the coffee table. I poured hot water into my peppermint tea and rolled my eyes. He hadneverliked my latest beau, and I doubted he ever would.
I met Mick at the bar where he works. It was one time when I was out with some friends and we got split up. I was sitting at the bar texting around trying to locate the gang when I was approached by some douche who presumed I was an easy lay. Mick came to my rescue and pretended to be my boyfriend until the asshole got the message and left. I was really grateful for what he did and so when he asked me out just as some of the group arrived, I said yes. That had been almost a year ago and things were going okay, I guess. There were no fireworks, but he was a decent enough guy. Our love life was nothing mind melting, but you know, it was okay.
Mick was skinny with spiky hair and tattoos—some of which a five-year-old could’ve done better—and he had hazel eyes. He was no Adonis, but he was cute in his own quirky way. I guess that’s what attracted me to him, along with his chivalry.
I clipped the lid on my thermal mug and remembered Alec had asked me a question. ‘No, Al. I wish you wouldn’t call him that. Anyway, I think he has to work tonight. Why do you ask?’
Alec appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. ‘I was going to suggest we grab a takeaway and have a movie night. Thought we could watchMagic Mike XXL.’ I turned towards him and the grin on his face accompanied a cheeky sparkle in his eye.
I crumpled my brow and smirked. ‘Aren’t you sick of that movie? It came out years ago.’
He sighed and rolled his eyes. ‘Honey I know a classic in the making when I see one.’
I couldn’t help laughing. I was pretty sure he was the only person in the whole of Scotland, maybe even the world, who had that opinion. ‘Okay. Sounds good to me. What time will you be in work today?’
He shrugged. ‘Oh, probably around eleven. I have to go to the wholesalers for some more of those caramel wafers. We seem to have had a run on them this week.’
I cringed, not daring to admit that the ‘run’ had partly been thanks to me nibbling on them while I worked.
I walked through to where he sat, spectacles perched on the end of his nose so the vain guy wasn’tquitewearing them. Why he couldn’t just accept that his eyesight was beginning to worsen was lost on me.
I leaned down and kissed his cheek. ‘Okay. See you later then. I’m outta here.’ I left the apartment, singing to my latest Spotify playlist as I walked. You can’t beat The Proclaimers to put you in a good mood for the day, and I found myself wondering if Mick would walk five hundred miles just to see me. Sadly, I doubted it.
It was a bright but chilly early April Wednesday, and the city I loved was buzzing to life as I walked along Princes Street, past the kilted piper who was gathering an early crowd of eager tourists snapping photos, to the coffee shop. All round me, shutters were being yanked up, lights were being flicked on, and each shop’s music could just be heard over the sound of ‘Rearrange’ by Biffy Clyro which was now bouncing around my noggin.
I always arrived a little early, but I loved my job. There was something satisfying about being the first person through the door of the empty shop. The aroma of coffee delighted my senses and made my mouth water. Peppermint tea was always my first drink of the day, and in all honesty, I preferred thesmell of the coffee to the taste. I loved the earthy, burnt aroma that made me think of hot climates and hotter, tanned men.
Why was I living in Scotland again?
Once the machines were switched on and ready to go, the point of sale sundries were topped up, and the music was playing, I stood behind the counter waiting for the first customer of the day. I should’ve known better. I always lost myself in a good song, and today was no different. Bouncing round behind the counter with my hands in the air like I just didn’t care, I was busy singing along to ‘Gigantic’ by the Pixies when I turned and froze. I felt the heat of embarrassment rise in my cheeks as I looked into sparkling blue eyes filled with mirth.
Oh my God. Ground, swallow me whole right now. ‘Oh... h-hey there. What can I get you?’ I made a vain attempt to flatten my crazy morning hair and tonotsound like I was on the verge of collapse.
Mr McYummy pulled his lips in, clearly stifling a grin. There he stood in a navy suit, navy shirt, and a bright blue tie that made his eyes pop. It was an odd combination in my opinion, but it somehow worked on him. Then again, a garbage sack with a dog leash tied round the middle would look good onhim. He was clean-shaven, and all I could think was how good it would feel to run my tongue along his angular jaw. He was completely out of my league and not at all like the guys I was usually attracted to, but there was something about him that pulled me in like iron to a magnet.
A heart-melting smile spread across his face and I was gone... completely gone. ‘Um... can I get a latte with skimmed milk to take out, please?’
