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“Ha!” I give a dismissive wave and swirl what’s left of my wine, totally unfazed. “That’s okay. I’m not exactly looking to settle down. Although . . . I may have my eye on someone I could have a wee bit of fun with.”

Iona, immediately interested, sits forwards. “Oh? Spill!”

“Well, let’s just say I have a thing for a certain . . . bad boy.”

“Oh my God. Not Robbie MacDonald?” Maisie laughs so loudly that a nearby table glances our way. “Cat, please tell me you’re joking. I’ve seen that man pick up more tourists in here than hot dinners.”

“What can I say? I’m a sucker for tattoos. And piercings.”

Smirking, Maisie pours us more wine, including a glass for herself. I take a sip and savour the crisp, tangy bite. I’ll stop after this one. Today was just an in-service day—a chance for teachers to prepare for the new term—but tomorrow there’ll be actual students at the school. I can’t show up on my first proper day with a hangover.

“What would Ally think about this wee crush,” Maisie wants to know, “considering the number of times he and Robbie nearly killed each other back in the day?”

Remembering those fights, I can’t hold back a grimace. I was too young to understand what started it all, but the bad blood between them ran deep.

“Pah, that’s ancient history.” I try to sound breezy. “People change.”

“Do they, though?” Maisie questions. “Because there’ve been all sorts of rumours going round about why he left his job at the resort.”

“You said it yourself, they’re rumours,” I point out. “And as we all know, the folk in this town love nothing more than to exaggerate a story. Besides, in the classroom, I’ve seen how teenagers act out when they’re hurting. The way Robbie was when he was younger . . . well, sometimes the worst behaviour is just a cry for help.”

Maisie isn’t convinced. “That might be true, but Robbie’s not a teenager. He’s a grown man who still has a reputation for trouble.”

“He’s also gorgeous,” Iona adds with a dreamy sigh. When we both stare at her astounded, she flushes. “What? I’m engaged, not blind. And I do read a lot of romance novels. There’s just something about the brooding bad boy with a hidden heart of gold . . .”

“Exactly!” I point at her. “See? Iona gets it.”

“I still think you should be careful,” Maisie warns. “Though, I’ll admit, if anyone can handle Robbie MacDonald, it’s probably you, Cat.”

I lean in closer. “Want to know a secret? You can’t tell Lewis, Iona. And Maisie, you absolutely cannot tell Jamie. But . . . I’ve asked Robbie to do a bit of work around my flat.”

Maisie’s eyes widen. “You’ve what?”

“Hey, none of my brothers were willing to help, and Robbie’s available for work. Plus, he’s good with his hands.” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively.

“And if this gives you an opportunity to flirt with him, then that’s just a perk, right?” Iona says with a knowing look.

I wink at her. “Aye. Trust me, after how dull the dating scene was up north, I need a bit of excitement. I’m not wanting to be his girlfriend or anything. Just, you know, have some fun. I’m calling this . . .” I pause dramatically. “Project Bang a Bad Boy.”

CHAPTER TEN

CAT

I give my reflection one final assessment in the hallway mirror. My black Lycra running shorts show off my legs nicely, and the pink tank top hugs my curves in all the right places. Perfect for my “I was just about to go jogging” charade.

The doorbell rings, sending a little flutter through my stomach. I take a deep breath and open the door.

“Hi!” I beam at Robbie, who fills my doorframe like a tattooed colossus.

“Evening.” His expression is neutral, although his eyes briefly flick over my outfit.

I step back to let him in, and immediately my tiny hallway feels even smaller. He has his leather jacket draped casually over one arm, and he’s in a plain white T-shirt that stretches across his broad shoulders. He smells freshly showered—soap and something woodsy.

“Sorry about my outfit.” I gesture down at myself. “Squeezing in a run after this.”

“Hmm. Right.” His pierced eyebrow lifts, scepticism written all over his face.

“Anyway, let me show you around! I’ll take your jacket.”