means, but his career as a footballer definitely changed his financial status. Thankfully, he didn’t turn into an insufferable arsehole like so many other footballers I see out there and start buying ridiculous cars and private jets. In fact, the craziest thing Mac did after his first big break was pay off my parents’ home. He also paid the rent on my flat back in Dundonald when I moved home five years ago. I didn’t want him to because the Scottish pride runs deep in me as well, but I wasn’t exactly in a position to argue, and I bloody love the bastard for not taking no for an answer.
My finances are a bit more stable now, thanks in large part to the inheritance I received from my grandad, Fergus. Before he passed, he sold off the bed and breakfast property he owned, leaving him with a tidy sum to pass on to all of us. Although, in all honesty, I think I would have rather had the bed and breakfast than the money. I have fond memories of being there with my grandparents when I was wee. Life was so much simpler then.
But Granddad’s money made it easy for me to leave my job in Dundonald to help out Freya and Mac, so it’s kind of special that he’s still an important part of our lives, even from the grave.
By ten o’clock, the auction wraps up, the lights dim, and a live band begins playing, ratcheting everyone up to full-blown party mode. I turn to Mac with a sheepish smile. “Would you hate me if I took the car home and made you get a taxi?”
Mac’s eyes widen. “Freya said we can’t come home until midnight!”
“Freya said you can’t come home until midnight. I wasn’t included in that late curfew.” I laugh as I recall the argument they had about how many whiskeys Mac needed to drink tonight to ensure he was having a good time. Only Freya Cooke-Logan would be the type of pregnant wife to force her husband to let off some steam.
In fairness, I think she did it because he’s driving her mental with all the fussing he’s doing over her state.
“You don’t want to dance and have a laugh?” Mac asks curiously. “You used to love this sort of scene.”
“That was before, Mac.”
“Aye, that’s right. New and improved Tilly!” he says in a high-pitched voice that I think is supposed to be me but sounds more like Mrs. Doubtfire. He laughs and a tender look sweeps across his face. “I’m just taking the piss. You know I’m fucking proud of you, don’t you?”
“Yes, because you’ve told me roughly twelve times tonight.”
“Well, I am…you just…you’ve got life by the baw sack.” He holds his hand up like he’s gripping a small ball. “The world is your oyster!”
“Thanks, Macky.” I force a smile and hold out my hand. “Now…keys?”
His eyes blink slowly, and I can tell the whiskeys are having the desired effect as he digs in his pocket and produces his valet card. “Give my Cookie a kiss for me.”
“I’m not going to do that.”
“Just on the shoulder.” He eyes me wickedly. “That’s my favourite spot to kiss her.”
“Not happening.”
He sighs heavily. “Are you sure I can’t come home yet? I miss her.”
“Not long now, you dope.” I ruffle his shaggy red hair before turning to walk away from the table. “See you later.”
Just as I’m rounding the corner for the loos, Allie’s voice calls out excitedly. “Here she is!” I turn around to find Freya’s friend walking toward me in a stunning black gown and dragging a reluctant Santino behind her. “Tilly! This is who I wanted to introduce you to!”
“Oh?” My eyes go wide as I watch Santino stop behind her, looking like a reluctant child being forced to go shopping for clothes.
“Santino Rossi is the club lawyer for Bethnal Green, and he’s brilliant. I mean, you should see some of the scraps he’s got the Harris family out of. You might not be able to tell this by looking at us, but we are all a hot mess express. Well, reformed hot messes hopefully! Anyways, he’s a contract wizard, and he’s reviewed all the guys’ sponsorship deals, so I think he could help you out with the issues you and Freya are having with the Harrods contract.”
I force a smile. “That’s really sweet, but I was going to find a contract lawyer on Monday.”
“Santino is your man!” she exclaims like she has the