Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Sebastian was chatting easily with the footballers and my cousin Luke and his boyfriend. Uncle Cole and Uncle Cam had broken away from the other older men to discuss football with them.
“How is Baird?” I asked Beth. “He seems a bit different.”
My cousin’s expression tightened with concern. “He is different. For the first few weeks after his injury, he was like a totally different person, snarling at everyone, wanting to be alone. You know how social he is, so it was worrying. But the last few weeks, he seems to be getting back to himself. He returns to the game in a month. They think it’ll be okay by then.”
“You’re still worried about him.”
“I am. So’s Callan. Baird is socializing, but he’s … changed.”
“He needs time. And if time doesn’t work, then maybe group therapy with some people who have been through something similar,” I offered.
“So, you don’t think the injury did something to his personality?”
“I’m not a medical professional, so I don’t know. If the doctor said there wasn’t any brain damage, then it’s doubtful. Psychological impact is not out of the question, though. It would be unusual if it hadn’t affected his mental well-being. Don’t you think?”
“You’re the psychotherapist.”
“Not yet, I’m not. Four more years to go.”
Beth winced. “Doesn’t that fill you with horror? I was desperate to finish uni and get out into the world to make my mark.”
I chuckled. “Another four years does sound exhausting. But it’s what I need to do to get to where I want.”
“I’m in awe of you.”
Pleased, my cheeks heated. “That means a lot coming from you.”
Beth nudged my shoulder with hers. “You seem happy. Is he treating you well?”
I looked over at Sebastian who grinned at something Baird said. “He makes me so blissfully happy, it’s terrifying.”
“Oh, aye.” Beth slid her arm around me, giving me an affectionate squeeze. “You’re definitely in love.”
I nodded, not denying it.
“It’s true he’s a member of the royal family?”
“Aye, but I don’t want anyone mentioning it. He doesn’t like to make a big deal of it. He’s not a working member of the family, you know. Only thirtieth in line to the throne.”
“Oh, only thirtieth in line to one of the oldest monarchies in the world. Aye, that’s not a big deal at all.”
“Japan’s monarchy is way older,” a new voice interjected.
We turned to find Maia, my uncle Logan’s daughter, smiling at us in greeting. The three of us embraced, talking over one another as we did so.
Uncle Logan was Aunt Shannon’s brother. When Aunt Shannon hooked up with Uncle Cole, Logan became a part of our family. He hadn’t known he had a daughter until Maia showed up on his doorstep when she was fifteen years old. Maia kind of brought Logan and his wife Grace together. Grace had been his neighbor and she stepped in to help him through the process of sudden parenthood. Maia hadn’t had the best start in life, but she claimed Uncle Logan and Aunt Grace had changed her life for the better. She’d attended university in London and then returned to Edinburgh upon graduation.
Now Maia, at only twenty-nine years old, was a senior fashion buyer for one of Edinburgh’s most exclusive department stores, Pennington’s. She was also engaged to some financial bigwig I’d yet to meet. I don’t think anyone but Maia’s parents and her brother Lachlan had met the bloke.
Maia had grown into a striking beauty. She’d inherited her dad and aunt’s unusual violet eyes and in adulthood she’d tamed her thick dark hair so it was enviously sleek and shiny, lying so perfectly down her back I had to think there was some magic involved.
Because of her job, Maia always looked amazing. Her style was professional with a sexy, feminine twist. Today she wore wide leg pants, high heels, and a cropped oversized cashmere sweater.
“You didn’t bring the fiancé?” Beth asked, staring past Maia as if looking for him. “When are we going to meet him?”
Maia’s expression turned irritated. “Will was supposed to be here, but a work thing popped up at the last minute. At this rate, you all will meet him at the wedding.”
“I thought I heard your voice.”
I glanced up to see Baird had crossed the room and was smiling flirtatiously down at Maia.
To my surprise, she beamed back at him and gave him a familiar hug. The goalie embraced her and held on a wee bit too long to be merely friendly.
Beth shook her head, smirking, as I shot her a questioning look. I recognized her silent “I’ll tell you later” face.
“You look great. How are you?” Maia asked as she pulled away.
Baird remained in her personal space as he stared at her in a very nonplatonic fashion. “Much better. Especially now you’re here.”
“Stop it,” she admonished, giving him a playful shove.