Secrets at the Loch (Loch Lannick #5) - Hannah Ellis Page 0,66

laughing while Lexie forced herself to smile.

“He is,” Elspeth said as the laughter died down. “And based on his kissing, I’ve often thought he’s probably very good in bed.”

“Definitely don’t comment on that,” Logan said, quirking an eyebrow at Isla as he wandered around the house.

“I wasn’t going to.” Isla stood and looped an arm around Logan’s waist.

“I can’t believe you kissed Nick,” Leana said. “When was that?”

“Ages ago,” Elspeth said with a flick of the hand.

“It better not have been when I was with him,” Isla said, leaning her head on Logan’s chest.

“Of course not. It was while he was living in the cottage with me.”

“And it was just a kiss?” Leana asked. Lexie held her breath waiting for the answer.

“Yes!”

Leana stared at her. “Just one time?”

“Aye. It wasn’t a big deal.”

“Everyone loves Nick, don’t they?” Logan said with a sigh.

Isla looked pointedly at the house. “You too, apparently.”

“I’m all done,” he said. “And if he’s not happy, I’m blaming you lot.”

“You said you were done a week ago,” Isla pointed out. “But you kept just doing one more thing.”

“Well, now I’m really finished.” He gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Let’s go home.”

“Oh!” Elspeth shot up from the step. “I should come too. I told Rory I was only coming up for a quick nosy at the house.”

“The key’s on the kitchen table,” Logan said to Leana. “Lock up and leave it under the plant pot.”

“Will do,” Leana called as they left. “How was it at your grandad’s?” she asked Lexie when the two of them were left alone.

Lexie found herself nodding slowly. She was distracted; still trying to process the conversation about Elspeth and Nick. It was just a kiss – not a big deal. “I had a good time,” she said, focusing on Leana’s question.

“Did you see anyone else while you were there, or just your grandad?”

For a moment, Lexie thought Leana must know about her seeing Nick, then she realised it was her subtle way of asking if she’d seen Stephanie. She knew better than to come right out and ask. Lexie had bitten her head off enough times that Leana had learned to be careful about asking too many questions.

As she stared out over the loch, Lexie felt like telling Leana everything. She’d been such an amazing friend, and she deserved a friendship where they confided everything with each other. There was so much to say, though; she wanted to tell her all about Stephanie and Ryan and the pregnancy. But mostly she wanted to tell her about Nick and how happy she was.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to talk about it,” Leana said.

“It’s fine.” Lexie shook her head to bring herself from her trance. “I didn’t see Stephanie. I don’t want to ever see her again.”

Leana smiled lightly. “But everything’s okay with your grandad?”

“Aye.” She paused, searching for words. “Nick’s going to love the house,” she said in an attempt to bring the conversation back to him.

“I think so too,” Leana agreed. “But I’m not so sure he’ll be impressed if Elspeth starts interfering in his love life.”

“You’re probably right.” Lexie wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans. That was the perfect cue for Lexie to tell her that she and Nick were together. Her heart pounded and she realised that the last few years of keeping everything to herself meant she wasn’t very good at opening up. She’d managed with Nick, though, she told herself, taking a deep breath.

“I suppose I should get back to Alasdair,” Leana said, collecting up the mugs and the empty bottle of wine and heading inside.

Lexie’s mind worked overtime as she followed.

“Can you lock that?” Leana asked when Lexie pulled the patio door behind her.

As she turned the knob, Lexie silently cursed herself. Leana was her best friend. When they were younger they used to talk about everything. Why on earth couldn’t she tell her about Nick? Finally, things were going right, and she desperately wanted to share it with Leana.

“Are you okay?” Leana asked, turning to look at Lexie after she’d washed the cups and put them on the draining board.

“Fine.” She swallowed hard. “I just wanted to say … Thank you … for covering my shifts while I was away. I really appreciate it.”

Leana wrinkled her nose. “Don’t be daft. Of course I’d cover for you. And I don’t think I did anyway. You weren’t down to work much. I’m just glad you had a good trip.” She hesitated, looking unsure of herself. “I