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The others came out of the rest stop, so they started heading back to the car as they chatted. “Why don’t you ask him?” Brodie said.
He took her hand to help her into the car, and as she lifted her gaze it meshed with Arran’s across the car park, sending a bolt of electricity into her chest. “If I can get him to have an actual conversation with me, then I will.”
—
The “cottage” was in facta stunning, modern, detached house right by the water, and the living room wall was entirely made of glass so they could look out over Loch Portree.
“Nice one, Nico,” Liv said as she gazed at the scene. The water was flat and calm in the still air, with the lush green of the opposite bank reflected perfectly on the surface.
“What can I say?” Nico answered from the kitchen. “I’ve got the contacts.”
She glanced across the open-plan area, where the five guys were bustling around the kitchen, preparing dinner for everyone. Sam had insisted because he said it was in order to counteract the cliché of the men sitting on their arses while the women prepared dinner. Then the three women had been “forced” to sit and have a glass of wine while the blokes got on with it. Liv had, of course, made the obligatory Five Guys joke and asked if the five of them were making burgers and fries. It had resulted in much groaning and eye-rolling, which really was rather rude when it was a top-quality quip.
Elise had planned the sustenance to her signature nth degree,not only booking the meal out the following evening but arranging for a shopping delivery shortly after their arrival.
“It’s a shame your sister was too heavily pregnant to come,” Elise said to Maya.
“I know,” Maya replied. “But I figured you were off duty and wouldn’t be keen on delivering any babies.”
Elise sipped her wine. “God, no. I’ve not delivered a baby in years. Not much call for that in general practice.”
“How’s work going?” Maya asked.
“Okay,” Elise said. “But I’m still only doing one day a week at your dad’s surgery because Mum can’t handle more than a day looking after Jack. It’s tough for her with her joints. That’s why I arranged to leave him with Harry’s sister in Edinburgh this weekend.”
“What about a nursery place?” Liv asked. “Then you could work a bit more.”
Elise hesitated. “I’m a bit reluctant for that yet. I know it’s silly, but I don’t feel like I’m ready to leave him with strangers. I’m sure I’d feel differently if Harry were still around.”
A prickle of cold ran down Liv’s spine. Every decision in Elise’s life was tainted by Harry’s death, and there was no escaping it. His sister was too far away to be of regular assistance, and his parents had been a lot older than everyone else’s—both having sadly passed away a couple of years before Harry himself. “I understand. I wish I could help, but it’s no use when I work full-time.” A thought popped into her head. “Unless I could take him at the weekend, for you to do out-of-hours shifts like Maya’s dad does?”
Elise smiled. “That’s very kind. But I’m trying to keep work in-hours for now. Plus I can’t have you giving up your weekends for me. You work hard and need the time to relax. Especially when you’re already helping with other childcare.” Elise darted ameaningful glance over to where Arran was busy with the others in the kitchen.
A heavy weight hung in Liv’s chest. “I haven’t been doing much of that lately.”
Her gaze settled on Arran as he smiled at something Nico said. Her eyes seemed to get stuck on his handsome face and she had trouble prizing them away. Then he glanced over and caught her staring, and she dragged her eyes off him to furiously study a random vase across the room.
“Okay, ladies,” Nico called. “Dinner is served.”
Brodie and Ben had the table set, and Nico and Sam were putting down plates of spaghetti and meatballs at each place, as Arran poured wine into all the glasses.
Maya led them over to the table. “Well, gentlemen. This is rather fabulous. I’m thinking it should be a weekly event, yes?”
Elise nodded as they took their seats. “Every Friday night we get dinner cooked for us by the men? Sounds good to me.”
Nico settled into the seat opposite Elise. “Dr. Kowalski, I would be delighted to give you the pleasure of my company every weekend.”
Liv was sure Elise’s cheeks colored a little as she shot him a withering look.
Somewhat predictably, Arran had positioned himself at the other side of the large table and Liv was no longer able to hold on to the vain hope that things were normal between them.What have I done to upset him?
Brodie leaned in from beside her to whisper in her ear. “Arran’s definitely being off with me, and I get the feeling it’s because of you.”
She turned her head toward him, her pulse picking up. “Me?”
“Yep,” he murmured into her ear.
Liv concentrated on keeping her voice low. “Why do you think that?”
