Leith takes her hand in his. “Leith, and it’s nice to meet you. This is me sister, Isla.” He takes a seat next to Bonnie, who looks far too happy, and Isla sits next to me. I can see she’s feeling shy, from the way she leans a little closer to me and hunches her shoulders.
So I decide to do the intros for her. “Isla, this is Bonnie and Dakota. They’re both watching over the coffee house while my parents are on holibags.”
She smiles. “Nice to meet you.” When she makes eye contact with Dakota, they both quickly turn to their respective drinks and bring them to their mouths.
“So, Leith, tell me all the dirty details about Rowan.” Bonnie jabs a thumb toward me. “How do you know each other?”
“Best mates since we were wee lads,” Leith says. He smirks at me, and I know that grin. He’s about to take the piss out of me like any other good friend would. Though taking the piss can go both ways, and I have way more dirt on him.
“Oh, so you know a lot. Has he always been this grumpy?”
“Aye.” He points his fingers at my brow. “See that crinkle between his eyes? It’s been there since he was five.”
“Don’t let him fool you.” Isla speaks up, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “Rowan might be grumpy, but he has a heart of gold.”
“Is that so?” Bonnie asks. “I have yet to see this heart of gold.”
“Nay, you saw it when I picked you up by your breeks and hauled you into the cottage.”
“You tossed me on the floor.”
“Where’s this story going?” Leith asks, rubbing his hands together.
“The numpty thought she could get water out of the well, but instead she summoned a wave of bats. I arrived just as they were—Bonnie, how did you put it? Trying to suck her blood?”
“They were. I felt fangs.”
I roll my eyes. “I took care of it.”
“Tossed me around like a wet rag.”
“You’re welcome.” I tip my beer in her direction.
Leith looks between us. “Is it just me, or am I sensing some sexual tension between the two of you?”
“Nope”—Dakota raises a hand—“I’ve been feeling it for the past two hours.”
Isla smiles over at her. “I feel it too. It’s practically bouncing off them.”
With a sly grin, Bonnie tilts her head to the side. “Do you find me attractive, Kilty?”
Without skipping a beat, I say, “If I found the Loch Ness Monster attractive, then yes.”
Bonnie’s eyes narrow.
Leith claps his hands and laughs, while Dakota and Isla both chuckle and sip their drinks.
“Well, in case you were wondering, you’re pretty revolting yourself,” she snaps.
“I wasn’t wondering,” I say, only pissing her off even more, though I couldn’t really care less what she thinks.
“So far, what have been the biggest culture shocks for you?” Isla asks Dakota and Bonnie, though she’s really looking at Dakota.
Among the five of us, we’ve all split three large plates of fish and chips while the band’s been striking up a folksy tune in the back of the pub, setting the mood. And hell, I’m in a good mood. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m on my fourth beer, the fiddle is upbeat in the background, or I’m surrounded by friends, but I’m having a hell of a time. It has nothing to do with the blonde sitting across from me and the way she’s poking her fingers in the air in a dance move she claims is all-American, or how she swapped seats with Dakota when Leith was asking about graphic design, so now I can smell her flowery scent as she sits right next to me.
None of that.
Nope.
It’s the beer.
Most definitely the beer.
Her shoulder sways against mine, and I swallow hard as I catch a whiff of her shampoo.
God, it smells amazing.
“Biggest culture shock?” Dakota asks, nursing a beer now, her glass of water long forgotten. “Probably nothing being open. We’re so used to having everything at the tips of our fingers. Stores are open twenty-four seven, food delivery is always available, and in LA there are so many different food choices that it’s hard to make a decision.”
“That and the daylight,” Bonnie says, swaying to the music now. “I was not expecting it to be so sunny all the time. Four in the morning felt like nine.”
“Our summer days are long, but it’s nice, since we all shut down at five—at least most of us,” Isla says. “We get to enjoy the summer weather.”