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“Well, look at you—far more gorgeous in the flesh than Ruairidh deserves,” Donnie drawled, leaning back to give her an exaggerated once-over, followed by a wink that could probably cause minor power outages. “What on earth are you doing with Captain Reliable?”

“Oi,” Ruairidh said, half-laughing, half-scowling. He dipped to brush a quick, possessive kiss against her cheek, his arm sliding around her waist—the kind that made her pulse skip and her cheeks warm—before adding, “Keep it up and I’ll drink your share of the champagne.”

“Please. You’d probably nurse one glass all night and call it decadent,” Donnie shot back with a wicked grin, before turning to Jenn. “Now, tell me—how’s island life? Or has my brother already bored you to tears?” Donnie continued smoothly, ignoring Ruairidh’s scowl.

Jenn couldn’t help but laugh at the sheer audacity of him. Absolute rogue. Through and through.

“It’s going really well, thank you,” Jenn said. “I’m honestly surprised. I’ve only ever come up for a few weeks at a time, so living here feels like a whole different island. Plus, it’s gone a bit cosmopolitan these days. I mean, you’ve got a wine bar now!”

“Ha! Yes.” Donnie grinned. “Eilidh and Paul’s place, right? I still need to check it out. But I know what you mean—every time I come home, there’s something new.”

“Do you get back often?”

“At least once a year. Twice if I can. The rest of my downtime’s spent exploring wherever we dock—or causing trouble in the Triangle.”

Jenn hadn’t set foot in the Teuchter Triangle for ages—that infamous cluster of Glasgow pubs where most of the Hebrideans in the city seemed to end up at the weekend. Probably for the best.

“Gosh, I’ve not been there in years.” Jenn laughed. “Which is probably a good thing!”

“Yes—true! Although I’m surprised our paths haven’t crossed before. I did spot your friend at Hells Fest one year—”

“My friend? Vivi?” Jenn asked, curious.

“The beautiful, elusive Vivi,” Donnie said, his tone almost reverent—but still with a rogue grin. “I spotted her across the crowd… and then that idiot JJ Campbell swooped in and kissed her.”

Jenn burst out laughing. “Oh God, that’s hilarious! That explains your comments on the posts. She was very drunk. It was… not her finest moment.”

“Still,” Donnie said, shrugging with mock regret, “if only I’d got there a couple of minutes earlier…”

Jenn smirked. Vivi had definitely dodged a bullet there. “Ah well, she’s a sensible and taken woman now, is Vivi.”

Donnie’s grin sharpened. “That’s what they all say—until they meet me.”

“Shoo! Shoo! Donnie!” Màiri cut in, shoving her brother aside. “Let me introduce Dol!” She dragged Dol into view with an air of triumph.

“Jenn, meet Dol. Dol, meet Jenn.”

“Hey, Jenn! Merry Christmas. I feel like I know you already.” Dol smiled warmly and went in for a hug.

Dol was tall and lean, with dark eyes and dark hair. His face was warm, open, and friendly. Instantly likeable. More chocolate Labrador than golden retriever energy.

“Haha, same here! And congratulations. You’ve made this girl very happy.”

“Ach, she’s made me very happy.” He pulled Màiri in for a quick kiss, making her squeal.

“Well, on that note, I think it’s time for champagne!” Ally appeared like a kilted Santa Claus, brandishing two more terrifyingly expensive-looking bottles of champagne.

Cheers and whoops followed.

They had several glasses of quite possibly the best champagne Jenn had ever tasted—the kind that made your toes curl and your cheeks tingle. Ruairidh’s hand found the small of her back as they wove through the crowd, steady and sure, like they’d done this a hundred times before. It felt easy now—dangerously easy. She didn’t have to think about what to say, or where to stand, or whether she belonged. She just… did. Several times, he bent to murmur something in her ear, his lips brushing her skin just enough to make her shiver.

Somewhere between the laughter and the bubbles, she realised she was happy. Properly happy. The kind that snuck up on you when you weren’t paying attention. And that, somehow, made her nervous. Because the fuller her life here felt, the harder it would be to pack it all up come March—when the café contract ended, the cottage bookings started, and she was supposed to move on to the next adventure like she always did.

But now it was time to head for Hells Bells in Saints Bay. Thoughts on March could wait.

Ally’s parents would keep the castle party alive with their friends, but the younger crowd was ready to take over the streets.

Chapter 36