and I would be a good couple.”
“I think you’d be well suited. He’s definitely your type.”
“No, he’s not. And wasn’t there a time when you tried to convince me I should give Nick a chance? How can you think Craig and Nick are both my type?” Lexie felt a little shaky as she geared up to confess everything.
Leana shook her head. “I don’t think Nick’s your type.”
“Really?”
“No. I don’t know what I was thinking when I said that. Maybe I just got sick of him looking at you so adoringly. You two would be a disaster.” She paused and opened the menu. “I really hope Nick and Meghan get together. She’d be good for him, wouldn’t she?”
“I don’t know.” Lexie stared at Leana, who had her eyes firmly on the menu. Why did she think Lexie and Nick would be a disaster together?
“She seems ditsy but she’s actually very intelligent,” Leana went on before Lexie could say any more. “Sometimes I think she’s a bit sickly sweet, but that’s probably perfect for Nick. And it’s about time Nick found someone who’ll appreciate him. I shouldn’t speak ill of my sister, but Isla kind of messed him around when they were together. Meghan’s the sort of person who’d laugh at his jokes and hang off his every word. I’m not sure why they’re not already together. Elspeth’s sure Meghan likes him.”
“Right,” Lexie mumbled, feeling as though she’d been punched in the gut.
“Nick’s so sensitive that he’s probably just waiting until Meghan’s not so upset about her gran. Maybe he thinks she’s vulnerable and doesn’t want to take advantage.”
“Maybe,” Lexie whispered, feeling suddenly faint. Her hand trembled as she fiddled with the napkin in front of her. Leana was too busy inspecting the menu to notice anything else.
Lexie had been adamant she was going to tell Leana about her relationship with Nick. How was she supposed to do that when Leana had made it clear that Lexie wasn’t good enough for him? The worst of it was, she could see Leana’s point: Nick did deserve someone special who’d dote on him. Something Lexie wasn’t even sure she was capable of.
“What do you want to eat?” Leana asked. “I think I’ll go for the madras.”
“I don’t really care,” Lexie said. “Why don’t you choose two dishes and we’ll share?”
“You’re the best! I’m always trying to get Alasdair to let me choose for him too, but he just laughs at me.”
The conversation was paused while the waiter took their order. Lexie wasn’t actually sure she could manage a conversation any more. She had a sudden urge to go home and curl up under her blankets.
“So what’s your news?” Leana asked, putting her elbows on the table.
“What?”
“You said you had news … about your love life?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“Tell me! Otherwise I’m going to drag you down to the Merchant Bar later.”
Lexie wrung her hands in her lap. There was no way she could tell her the truth. “I met this guy when I was in Inverness visiting Grandad,” she said quickly. “We’ve kept in touch. I’m sure nothing will come of it, but I keep thinking about him so I’m going to wait and see what happens. I can’t really think about anyone else.”
“That sounds promising,” Leana said. Her voice was unenthusiastic as though she’d been expecting something juicier. “Are you going to visit him? Or will he come here?”
“I don’t know. In fact, I don’t really want to talk about it. I’ll probably jinx it.”
“Tell me his name at least …”
“It’s really not worth discussing at the moment. Can we talk about something else? My love life is a depressing subject. How’s everything with Alasdair?”
“Great. Josh is still nagging us to fly out and see them in the States, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. I’m actually terrified of the flight.”
“You should go,” Lexie said, happy at the subject change. She managed to spend the next hour and a bit chatting to Leana about topics other than her love life.
Nick was probably going to be annoyed that she still hadn’t managed to tell Leana about their relationship, but she was sure she could placate him a while longer. Maybe she should let him tell them. She could hide away while they at least got over the shock of it.
“We could just go to the Merchant Bar for one drink,” Leana said with a cheeky grin when they were leaving the restaurant.
“I’m driving so I can’t have a drink. And I say we