paddle across Nick’s kayak, tethering them together to make conversation easier.
He pulled the bottle of Coke from beside his leg and gave it to her.
“Have you ever thought of going into business as a Personal Hangover Assistant?”
“I teach teenagers and young adults. I feel like that’s already part of my job description.”
She chuckled. “Your students get this treatment too?”
“I always get nice feedback about it when the students write their teacher reviews.”
Lexie’s eyes widened. “You get reviewed by your students?”
“Not officially. It’s just something I implemented myself for my personal development.”
“That’s really weird,” she said, laughing.
“Why? It helps me to know how I can improve and what I’m already doing well.”
“And based on that you keep a supply of hangover remedies?”
“No.” He grinned at her. “But they like me because of that. I’m a terrible people-pleaser. I care too much what people think about me.”
“I suppose everyone does.”
He looked at her intently. “Some people don’t seem to care so much. I’m always a little envious.”
“Are you talking about me?”
“Aye. You always seem fairly impervious to other people’s opinions.”
“I’m not sure that’s true.” The conversation was getting a bit too heavy. Gently, she pushed off from Nick’s kayak and paddled away to chat to others in the group.
By the time they were back on dry land, Lexie felt much more human. The fresh air and exercise had given her a boost to get through her working day. That and Nick’s snacks.
After helping Damian pack the kayaks away, she set off for home. Nick was just leaving too. She suspected he’d been hanging around waiting for her.
“I guess we’re going the same way considering we’re neighbours now.” He smiled at her as he fell into step beside her.
“You’re moving this weekend?” she asked, remembering the conversation the previous evening.
“I’ve moved most of my stuff already. Logan’s going to help me move the last of it tomorrow, then I’ll just need to clean before I hand over my keys.”
“Does the new house still need a lot of work?”
He kicked a stone along the path. “I think saying it needs a lot of work is an understatement.”
“You don’t sound too worried.”
“No point worrying. Besides, I think of it like a blank canvas. I can make everything exactly as I want it. Eventually, anyway. I’ll have to do it bit by bit as and when I can afford things. Logan’s offered to help with most of it, and he says if I’m happy for him to do it in the evenings and on weekends he can do it cheap.”
“That’s good of him.”
“Yeah. And quite surprising considering I always thought he couldn’t stand me.”
Lexie shoved her hands in her pockets as the wind picked up. “I think he just didn’t like you stealing his girlfriend.”
“Except it was him who stole my girlfriend,” he said lightly.
“It doesn’t seem like you’re holding a grudge.”
“Why would I? It was never meant to be between me and Isla.”
Turning so the wind blew her hair from her face, Lexie watched a bird of prey hovering at the other side of the loch.
“I think it’s an osprey,” Nick said, following her gaze.
“I’d be more inclined to say falcon myself.”
“No, I don’t think so.” He raised an arm to point. “Do you see––”
Lexie laughed. “I was winding you up. As if I’ve got any clue what it is.” She felt a little mean when his cheeks flushed bright red. “How can you even tell from this distance?”
He gave a slight shrug and set off along the path. “I just can.”
“It’s like your superpower,” she said, then winced at the forced smile he shot her.
“I know I’m kind of geeky about this stuff. One day I’ll learn not to spout facts about the wildlife all the time.”
“I think it’s nice that you know so much,” Lexie said, hurrying to keep up. She had a habit of teasing him, and while she liked to think it was all good-natured, there were probably times when she sounded mean.
“I should learn some of this stuff too,” she said. “I’m surrounded by all this wildlife and I barely pay attention to it. I don’t even know the names of most of the plants.”
Nick stopped and pointed. “Gorse,” he said with a straight face. “More gorse. And wait, I think that might be gorse!”
“Well, yes, I know that one!” She looked around at the improbably delicate yellow flowers blooming on the prickly plants. “They’re really pretty.” Normally, she didn’t pay much attention. A squawk overhead drew her attention. “Seagull,”