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I finish off my wine. Without a word, she takes my glass, walks up to the bar, fills it up, then returns to her seat, setting it in front of me.

“Cheers, but this will definitely have to be my last one. I’ve got farm visits tomorrow.”

“Very sensible, but I wouldn’t mind loosening you up a wee bit more because, if I’m honest, I’m curious to hear more about this wild side of yours. I bet dating in a city like Glasgow is pretty different from how it is here. Feel free to tell me to shut up at any point, but . . . did you have a few fun flings before getting together with Richard?”

“Hmm. Actually, the most fun I ever had was a little closer to home.”

“You mean Lewis McIntyre?”

A flush creeps up my neck. “Shit. How did you guess that?”

She looks at me like I’ve just asked the stupidest question she’s ever heard. “Iona, everyone in Bannock assumed you two would end up together. Also, please don’t look so worried. What happens on girls’ night stays on girls’ night—that’s the rule. The things we discuss here won’t go any further than this table.”

“Because if Cat finds out—”

“She won’t. She and I get on really well, but it’s not my place to tell her you’ve slept with her brother.”

I relax a little. “Thanks.”

“So . . .” Maisie leans closer and lowers her voice, not that anyone else in the room would be able to hear us over all the laughter and merriment. “Again, you don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to, but . . . what do you mean, Lewis is the person you’ve had the most fun with?”

My flush spreads to my cheeks, but I answer honestly. “Well, he was my first and I was his, and maybe it’s because we were exploring everything together for the very first time, but . . . the sex was always fun and hot. Always. Any fantasy I wanted to act out, he was up for it, no hesitation. And . . .” I hesitate, my inner voice warning me to reconsider what I’m about to say, but I say it anyway. “If ever Ronan Dunbar needed a body double for another nude scene, Lewis could step into the role quite easily. Trust me, the public would not be disappointed.”

Oh my God. What is this wine doing to me?

“Really?” Maisie arches an eyebrow with interest.

“Yes, not that men deserve any credit for the size of their things, of course. It’s all genetics and luck—nothing they have any control over. But still, it’s a pretty impressive sight.”

“I bet. So, good sex, a huge dick, and I think everyone in Bannock would agree Lewis is a nice guy. Like, of the three brothers, Jamie is the joker, Ally was the grumpy one—until Emily sorted that out—and Lewis is just . . . nice. Everyone loves him, and even your maw is forever singing his praises, saying how talented he is in the kitchen, how well the hotel is doing under his management, and that he’s such a lovely lad. Which brings us to the big question: what went wrong?”

Just thinking about it makes my chest tighten painfully—I can’t say it out loud. I’ll need some time to mentally prepare myself before sharing that story.

“We’ve already had one major revelation for this girls’ night,” I say. “Let’s leave that tale for the next one.”

Maisie smiles. “Aye, I’d like this to be a more regular thing—we’ll have to get another catch-up arranged. I wish this one could go on, but I did say to my da I’d be taking an hour off, and it’s already been more than that. Time has flown. I really should get back behind the bar and help him out.”

“Of course. Well, thanks for this, Maisie. It’s been exactly what I needed, especially the detailed analysis of that scene from Highland Legacy.”

Chuckling, she stands and is about to give me a hug when her gaze flicks to the door. “Oh shit, it’s Mr Big Dick himself.”

Clearly, I’ve had too much wine because my first thought is, Heart-throb Ronan Dunbar has come to our small town to grace us with his presence? I turn to the door with a burst of exhilaration, but . . . it’s only Lewis.

Oof, talk about disappointment.

Spotting me, he grins and heads over.

“Shall I send him away?” Maisie whispers.

“Nah, I can fight my own battles.”

“All right, if you’re sure. If you change your mind, give me a wave and I’ll be right over.”

I nod and Maisie leaves. Lewis, dressed in a well-fitted burgundy shirt that accentuates his broad shoulders, reaches the table just a few seconds later.

“Hey, gym buddy,” he says cheerfully. “Fancy seeing you here.”

I frown with suspicion. “Wait a minute. I told you yesterday I couldn’t go to the gym tonight because I’d be here. Is that why you’ve shown up? Are you stalking me, Lewis?”