Secrets at the Loch (Loch Lannick #5) - Hannah Ellis Page 0,72
a bit more chilled out than doing it in a day.”
Leana pulled her legs under her on the sumptuous cream couch. “That sounds nice.”
“Good. I’ll have a look for a hotel after I’ve spoken to Josh.” He pulled his phone out as he left them again.
“Is everything okay with you?” Leana asked.
Lexie blew on her coffee and couldn’t help but grin. “Everything’s really good.”
“It seems like you’re in a good mood,” Leana said. “So I’m going to suggest something and hope you’re in a good enough mood that you won’t bite my head off …”
“Does that mean I’m not going to like what you say, or that I’m a horrible friend who’s snapped at you a few too many times?”
“You’re definitely not a horrible friend.”
“What did you want to say?” Lexie asked.
“It’s about Craig,” Leana said hesitantly.
“Craig?”
“Yes, Craig from the Merchant Bar who you’ve occasionally had relations with.”
“Who I used to occasionally have relations with,” Lexie corrected her. “What about him?”
“I saw him in Portree the other day and he was asking how you are. I think he really likes you.”
“He was probably just being polite.”
“He’s a nice guy, though.”
“What’s your point?”
“Why don’t you ask him out?” Leana said.
“Several reasons …”
“You don’t have any good reasons,” Leana said.
“I do, actually,” Lexie said with a smug smile.
“Yeah right.” Leana sighed. “Please let me set you up with Craig. Go on some proper dates with him and see what happens.”
“No!” Lexie said, chuckling.
“Oh, come on. Elspeth’s just about got Meghan paired off with Nick. Let me be a good friend and do some matchmaking for you.”
“I’m pretty sure Nick isn’t interested in Meghan,” Lexie said.
“Elspeth thinks he is. She had them both over for dinner last night, then left them alone while she spent ages putting Arran to bed. She seemed to think they were getting on brilliantly.”
Lexie’s smile slipped. “I doubt it. Nick will just have been being friendly. You know what he’s like.”
“Yeah, but Meghan’s really sweet. And I know Nick was hung up on you for a long time, but we think he’s over it.”
“Who’s we?”
“Elspeth and me. Even Isla said so and she usually won’t comment on stuff like that. He used to bring every conversation back to you, and now he hardly ever mentions you. Which is also a good thing for you, isn’t it? It must have been a bit annoying.”
“Not really.”
“Anyway, why are we talking about Nick? I want to talk about Craig.”
“I’d rather talk about Nick,” Lexie said seriously.
Alasdair came back in, interrupting them. “I can’t get hold of Josh,” he said, then plonked himself beside Leana and turned his phone to her. “What do you think about this hotel?”
“It looks nice.” She took the phone and scrolled a finger over the screen. “Is that the price for one night?” Her voice went a little high-pitched.
Alasdair grumbled and took the phone back. “You weren’t supposed to look at the price.”
“It’s a bit extravagant.”
“Not really. It’s not that much. And it’s not like we go away very often.”
Lexie laughed. “Look at your house! Why would you ever go away?”
“She makes a good point,” Leana said.
“I can see I’m going to be ganged up on here. I should’ve just booked it and not asked you.”
“I didn’t say no,” Leana said. “I just gasped at the price!”
“Well, I’m going to book it as a little treat to myself for putting up with you! And if you have an objection you can sleep in the car.” He moved away from Leana when she gave his leg a playful slap. “What time do you want to leave?”
“In a bit,” Leana replied. “Don’t rush me. I haven’t seen Lexie in ages. Plus, I’m on the verge of getting her to agree to a double date.”
Alasdair frowned. “I’m hoping that doesn’t involve me.”
“Hey!” She shot him a fierce look and fired a cushion at him. He threw it back, laughing.
“No offence,” he said to Lexie. “Obviously I’m just going to do as I’m told because I daren’t do otherwise.”
“Don’t worry,” Lexie said. “There’s not going to be a double date so you’re safe.”
“So you don’t need us as buffers?” Leana asked eagerly. “You’ll just go out with Craig?”
“No!”
“Please agree to go out with the guy,” Alasdair said. “Otherwise I don’t think I’m going to get to Inverness today.”
“I’ll leave you to get ready,” Lexie said, taking the hint.
Leana jabbed Alasdair’s arm as she passed him. “You’re so rude.”