Secrets at the Loch (Loch Lannick #5) - Hannah Ellis Page 0,10

put me off. Plus, I tend to be more of an idea person. Not so good at following through on things.”

“I imagine you’d be good at taking over the office at the activity centre. You’re organised and bossy.”

“I’m not bossy,” she said with a grin. “Besides, I don’t have a lot of patience for learning. At least not in a classroom.”

“If you ever change your mind, you can always sign up for my classes again.”

“No way. If I ever change my mind I’ll be asking for private tuition. Especially since we’re neighbours now. It would save me a lot of travel time.”

Nick didn’t comment but gave a gentle smile. It occurred to Lexie that she might have sounded more suggestive than she’d intended. Hopefully he didn’t think she was trying to contrive ways to spend time alone with him.

The problem with Nick was he was so easy to be around that she just said whatever came to mind. Usually, she was more careful about conversations with members of the opposite sex. But then she also didn’t usually share meals with guys. It was sort of a rule with her. She did drinks and casual sex, but she avoided anything that might suggest any kind of relationship.

The idea of going on a proper date terrified her. Dates led to relationships, and relationships led to heartbreak. She was determined to avoid that at all costs. The last time she’d been out for dinner with a guy was a really long time ago. But she didn’t want to think about that.

Snapping herself out of her trance, she looked at Nick, who was gazing out of the window.

“I haven’t seen Arran in a while,” he said, the kids outside obviously making him think of Elspeth’s little boy. “Maybe I’ll call over and see him tomorrow.”

Lexie found it slightly odd that Nick talked about Arran as though he was a friend and not a lively toddler.

“You two get on well, don’t you?”

“We have a mutual fascination with dinosaurs,” Nick said with a smirk. “But I kind of missed him after I moved out of Elspeth’s place. I got used to him being around and jumping on me in the mornings. Drove me mad at the time, but as soon as I left I missed it.”

“He’s a cute kid,” Lexie said, then caught the look that flashed across Nick’s features.

“Elspeth mentioned you’re not overly keen on kids,” he said.

She curled her lip. “I like kids well enough.” She paused, intrigued that Elspeth had said that to Nick. For a long time, Lexie’s friendship with Elspeth had been based on nights out, so Arran hadn’t come up in conversation too much. But if she was honest, that was also because Lexie avoided asking about him.

“I never offer to babysit or anything,” she said. Even though Arran’s father had only come onto the scene six months earlier, Elspeth had always had loads of people to help with Arran. She didn’t need anyone else. “And she told me once that she liked going out with me because with everyone else she spent the whole time talking about Arran. With me she could let her hair down and act like a normal teenager.” She inhaled deeply. “I didn’t realise she was going to go around telling people I hate kids.”

“She didn’t say that,” Nick said quickly. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Lexie shook her head. “It’s fine.” She was overreacting, but the conversation made her uneasy, and she suddenly wished she’d declined the offer of dinner.

Thankfully, the waitress arrived with the food and conversation switched to more neutral topics.

As soon as they’d finished eating, Lexie checked the time.

“Have you got a date you need to get to or something?” Nick asked. “You look like you need to be somewhere.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I’ve got a shift at the pub.”

“When?”

“Approximately now.” She picked up her phone and tapped out a message to her mum.

“You should have said. So not only did I make you spend all afternoon cleaning, but I also made you late for work?”

“I doubt I’ll get fired,” she said. “Besides, the pub’s been quiet recently. There’s probably only Douglas there.”

“It won’t be quiet then,” Nick said. “He’ll no doubt be singing away.”

“That’s true. One of these days I think he might hit us with a bill for several years’ worth of live entertainment.”

“He’s sweet.” Nick stood and put his coat on. “Sorry for making you late.”

“I messaged Mum and told her. It’s not a big deal. The burger