Page 67 of Time To Learn

“Mum’s a great cook,” Ailith interjects, making me sigh a little.

Kristian raises his eyebrows ather.

“Really? Maybe she’ll cook for me oneday.”

I wet my lips, wondering what else there is to show him. I point lamely at the bed behindme.

“The mattress is also pretty new, and we’ve got plenty of bedding to lend you if you needit.”

He smiles at me as he walks to one of the four windows and looks outside, admiring the view. Ailith takes my hand and I smile softly down ather.

“What do you think?” she asks Kristian.

I squeeze her hand at the quiet excitement in her voice.

“Kristian doesn’t have to decide anything today,” I remind her gently.

“I really like it,” he says, but then frowns as he stops in front of us. “I just don’t have a car, so I’m not sure how to get to the city everyday.”

The hope within me dies a slow death. I hadn’t thought about thatpart.

“But Alex has two cars,” Kristian continues as he puts his hands in his back pockets. “I’ll talk to him, see if I can buy one of them. Or, I don’t know, lease a car while I’mhere.”

“That sounds good,” I reply, my voice quiet. “Um, one thing, though…”

He tilts his head atme.

“What isit?”

“You’re doing your own cleaning while you’re here,” I blurt out. “You’re free to use our washer and dryer, of course, but you buy your own supplies. And I won’t iron or starch your under- I mean, your clothes.”

His eyes twinkle with mirth at myslip.

“Do people still starch clothes?”

I shrug as I feel a blush rising on myneck.

“Some do. This is Scotland, afterall.”

He nods as he chuckles.

“Fair enough. I’m a big boy, Laura,” his voice drops, and I feel a bit lightheaded from the intimacy in his gaze as it sends flames my way. “I’m used to taking care of myself,” he continues.

“Okay, then.”

“This is going to be so much fun,” Ailith grins. “I’m going to go tell Gan-Gan.” She releases my hand to run down the stairs.

I send up a silent prayer, wishing with everything that I am that she’s right.

“Yeah,” Kristian’s low rumble makes my eyes jump back to his. “Definitelyfun.”

I gulp, nodding slowly and crossing my arms. “Let’s find Mum and sort out the paperwork, yeah?” I barely manage to wrench my gaze from Kristian’s, my tummy doing mad cartwheels. The flames in his eyes quieten down when I move to pass him, and when he puts a hand on my arm, I tense, but stop in my tracks.

“Laura,” he murmurs. “About last night…”

Oh, no, please don’t mention that girl. Please, please, please…

I try to keep my face as blank as possible, not giving any indication of the way Ifeel.