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She’d also been replaying that on repeat. She needed to steer her thoughts away from there pronto before she combusted.
“Yas!” Vivi and Lizzie whooped in perfect unison.
“And I’m glad Màiri and Cairistìona have been okay. I was worried it’d be weird,” Jenn admitted.
“Not at all,” Lizzie jumped in. “This is why I wanted to pop in—I knew you’d be worrying about this!”
“Aww, Lizzie.” Jenn hugged her. She was so bloody astute and considerate, was Lizzie.
Lizzie squeezed her back. “I know everyone’s been on the wind-up about Enrique. And obviously I set you up with Javi. But we didn’t want to put any pressure on you.”
Vivi nodded sagely from the screen. “Very wise. Thank you, Lizzie.”
“Not that everyone’s been talking and plotting behind your back!” Lizzie added quickly. “But I know what it’s like to be the new face on the island.”
There it was again—Lizzie clocking exactly what Jenn needed. Nobody wanted to be the constant topic of Hellisay gossip, well-meaning or not. Jenn felt herself breathe a little easier. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t making a complete mess of this.
“And I know she won’t mind me saying this. In fact, I think she wants me to say this. But Màiri’s been hoping something would happen between you and Ruairidh. Cairistìona too.”
“Yup. She outright said that to me on Halloween. And come on, I’m your bestie. So she wouldn’t say that if she didn’t mean it!” Vivi grinned.
“Okay.” Jenn felt herself unclench, settling into the cushions.
She was definitely feeling a little bit better. She’d been worried Màiri was just being polite in her messages. If extremely enthusiastic could be polite. But Màiri wasn’t that type. She was a straight shooter—if something was off, she’d say so. This was just Jenn’s insecurities leaking into everything again.
“I can see your face, Jen-Jen.” Vivi wagged her fingers through the screen. “You’re spiralling. Spit it out.”
“Yup. That’s why we’re here, Jenn. You can tell us.” Lizzie gave her arm a reassuring squeeze.
“You two should have an agony aunt podcast,” Jenn joked weakly.
“For other people—certainly not myself.” Lizzie chuckled, reaching for a cookie.
Jenn took a steadying breath, trying to line up her thoughts.
“Just let it out, Jen-Jen. Talk to think,” Vivi coaxed gently.
“The Màiri thing’s obviously been a worry, like I said. You guys are my Hellisay besties.” Jenn could feel herself getting emotional.
“Right back at you, bestie.” Lizzie gave her another squeeze.
“So, I didn’t want that to become an issue. Or a thing. I mean, it still might. Like I don’t know what this is between me and Ruairidh…” Her hands joined in, as always—hopeless at keeping her thoughts to themselves.
“Ruairidh aside, this is the first time in a long time that I’ve felt at peace. I’m not restless. Not thinking about the next thing. Except all the new things I want to put on the café menu!”
They all chuckled at that.
“Hear, hear!” Lizzie said around a mouthful of white chocolate cookie.
“Like I’ve gone out and got extra qualifications again. I’m enjoying going to work. I’m even enjoying all the things we get roped into helping at.” She nudged Lizzie, who nodded in agreement, still munching cookies.
Jenn sighed, clutching a cushion to her chest for support.
“But it’s only for a year… should I be hooking up with someone from here? I’ve still not got my shit together, so I shouldn’t be adding a guy into the mix. ‘Cos this isn’t a Javi, right? This is…”
Jenn faltered.
She didn’t know what it was. What Ruairidh was. Something about him made her feel safe and completely unprepared. Like she hadn’t built the right walls for this.
