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“Vivi, did you once get off with JJ Campbell?” Màiri asked, gawping at her phone.
Vivi blinked, confused. “Wait… is that the guy you told me about, Jenn?”
“Haha, yes! Though he was in a different band back then.” Jenn grinned, accepting a very generously poured cocktail from Lizzie. “Why?”
“Donnie just commented that,” Màiri said sheepishly, gulping her bright pink cocktail.
“Eh? How on earth does he know that?” Vivi exclaimed, picking up her phone with interest.
“You’d be surprised what Donnie finds out. Oh no, is your boyfriend called Charles, Vivi?” Màiri groaned at her phone.
“Yes… Oh for goodness sake!” Vivi exclaimed as she read her phone, half laughing, half shocked. “They’re having a war!”
“Donnie is such a wind-up. I’m so sorry!” Cairistìona said, apologetically shaking her head and patting Vivi’s arm.
“Apparently, he’s now requested pistols at dawn for your hand in marriage!” Jenn hooted.
Charles would not be impressed with this. He was a bit too literal and didn’t always get a joke. She really did want to meet this Donnie guy—he sounded absolutely nothing like Ruairidh. But apparently, Jenn preferred the silent, elusive type who only showed flashes of charm… and made her stomach do ridiculous things.
“Ruairidh! Ally!” Màiri shouted, jumping up to wave them over.
Speak of the devil and he will appear, Jenn thought and looked over. Ruairidh and Ally were weaving through the crowd, heading straight for their table. They were both looking very dashing in their knight and pirate lord costumes. Of course he was a knight. Of course he was. And if she happened to be a damsel in distress tonight? Well… she wasn’t exactly resisting the idea.
A few nearby girls were glancing over appreciatively—until they clocked where the boys were headed. Then the looks turned cool and territorial.
“Well, hello there…” Vivi purred in Jenn’s ear.
“Evening, ladies!” Ally announced as they arrived at the table. “Might I say that you are all looking lovelier than usual!”
“Indeed! You are very… erm… sparkly!” Ruairidh added with a smirk on his face.
“Come on! Sit down and join us,” Màiri said. “Pull some chairs over.”
They managed to pull a couple of extra chairs over, with Ruairidh landing between Vivi and Jenn, and Ally settling between Vivi and Lizzie. As always, Ally clasped Jenn’s hand and brushed a kiss against her cheek before doing the same to Lizzie. Jenn could’ve sworn there was a slightly-too-long glance between Lizzie and Ally—warm… and maybe just a little loaded?
“Do you want some Sex on the Beach?” Cairistìona shouted over the table at them, holding one of the cocktail jugs aloft.
“Sex on the… ah, yes, go on then!” Ruairidh said, smiling and looking over at Ally. “Shall we just surrender to the chaos?”
“Haha, aye.” Ally laughed. “Give us the pink poison.”
“Ooft, these are lethal!” Ruairidh spluttered as he took a sip.
“Lachie, Buzz, and John Francis are behind the bar.” Cathy Ann smirked, referring to three of the lads from Hellisay FC.
“Jeez, those three cannot be trusted,” Ally said with a grimace, swallowing the concoction. “I’m pretty sure these are illegal!”
“Sorry, forgive my rudeness,” Ruairidh said, turning to Vivi. “You must be Vivi.” He extended a hand towards her.
“Yes, that’s right—pleased to meet you,” she said, eyes twinkling mischievously. “I’ve heard a lot about you!”
“And we’ve heard a lot about you,” Ally added with a smile, clasping her hand and brushing his customary kiss to her cheek. “I’m Ally, by the way. And I believe Ruairidh and I are to be the seconds and thirds at the duel at dawn for your hand in marriage.”
Vivi laughed prettily. “Gentlemen! I’m flattered you’re willing to die for my happiness!” she declared theatrically, one hand pressed to her forehead. “I feel like a debutante. Where are my smelling salts?”
That earned a round of hearty laughter.
“But seriously,” Ruairidh said once the giggles subsided, tone turning wry. “Apologies for my brother… he’s a bit gallus, shall we say.”
