Page 58 of Lochlan

I don't wait for him to finish his first sip of beer. “Don't keep me in suspense…what did you hear?”

“I knew that bullshit you gave me at the winery wasn't real. I didn't buy that you had fallen for that grumpy-ass Lochlan.” He pulls his hat off and places it next to him on the seat. “How could you let Poppy talk you into seducing Lochlan MacTavish?”

I'm taken aback by the question, and it's also pissing me off. “Why do you allow Poppy to pay you to be a pretty robot?”

He slouches back in his seat. “The two things are completely different. Poppy Novik is paying me to play a part. The most I ever get are admiring glances. She didn't send me out to sleep with someone on command.”

I wish this premium whiskey would burn as it goes down my throat. Somehow that would be an appropriate penance on top of Lochlan rejecting me, but no, the liquid goes down smooth as glass and gives me a pleasing warmth. “You're right, it's not the same. Poppy is offering me a chance to be a part of Crimson Beaches. What you witnessed was a team-bonding ritual.”

“That was something else,” he says, shaking his head like he can't believe this conversation. “Yeah, teams have initiations and some go too far.”

“Poppy is one of the highest-ranking players in beach volleyball. She's looking for a new partner. I want to be that partner.”

“Kenzie, you're better than this. You know she's...”

“I know she's batshit crazy. You can be anything you want to be if you're the best.”

Connell takes a sip of his beer and considers for a few moments. “You said that you and Lochlan never connected; is that true?”

How much should I tell him? “Why do you want to know?”

“I'm still interested in you, Kenzie. I never stopped, and I thought you had an interest in me.”

Why does it feel like we're back to square one again? Lochlan came into my life and left with my heart? Pride? Or at least some unfinished business. Damn, I hate when that happens. If our relationship ran its course, I might've realized he wasn't right for me and dumped his ass, but instead, I'm the one with the dumped ass.

“You haven't said anything, so I guess something happened between you and Grumpas.”

“What's a Grumpas?”

“It's my new word for a grumpy asshole.”

I'm chuckling. “Okay, no more talk about Lochlan. Are you and I friends again?”

Connell nods at a couple passing by our booth. “Yeah, I think friendship is on the table. Anything beyond that you're going to have to earn,” he says, then takes a sip of his beer.

CHAPTER26

THE PROTÉGÉ

LOCHLAN

Fiona and I have been togetherfor a good portion of my life. A separation of three years is enough time for someone to have changed. I know I'm not the same man who left Scotland. It will take time to feel comfortable in her presence again.

After my meeting with Geordie, it's time to begin that long road back to Fiona. It's a necessary part of my strategy; I can't waver now. I pick up my desk phone and call the new number she texted me yesterday.

“Fiona, this is Lochlan.”

A chuckle comes through the phone. “Thank you for identifying yourself, and good morning to you.”

After she says that, I realize how rude it must've sounded. “Good morning, Fiona. How did you sleep?”

“I'm getting used to the time change. Why did you call? I'm sure it's not to inquire about my sleep patterns?”

“I was wondering when we could meet to discuss the Catriona project. There're a few interested vintners that attended the Wine Association luncheon. I've also had inquiries from other sources, like tech companies. I want to talk about a more in-depth presentation for potential investors before it's scheduled.”

“When would you like to meet?”

“Today. Whenever it's convenient.”

---