Page 266 of Delicious

David huffs out a laugh, shaking his head. "Please, I survived estate management at Shropshire. I think I could handle it."

"Mmm. Estate management doesn’t involve fixing a prolapsed cow at three in the morning."

David makes a face. "Fair point… you did wash your hands before making this tea didn’t you?”

I bark out a laugh and make a show of presenting my hands to him on both sides. “Clean as a whistle.”

Silence stretches between us again, but it’s not entirely uncomfortable. We sip our tea, listening to the fire crackle, to the quiet strains of music in the background. "And you?" I ask after a while. "What’s life like in the big, grand world of the McCraig’s?"

He lets out a slow breath, staring into the fire. "Busy. Tiresome. A never-ending cycle of meetings, investments, and dealing with my parents’ expectations."

I hum in response, not surprised in the least. "You always did love a challenge."

"Not this kind." He shifts, looking at me now. "What about you? Any new romances I should be aware of?" The question is casual. Too casual.

I raise an eyebrow. "You mean, aside from my devastatingly attractive boyfriend?" David glares, and I can’t help but laugh. "Relax. Ashley’s just a friend. And no, there’s no one."

Something flickers in his gaze, but he doesn’t comment. Instead, he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I never thought you’d come back here."

"I never thought I would either," I admit. "But Liam… he was important to me. I couldn’t ignore this."

David exhales through his nose, nodding. "Yeah. He would’ve wanted you here."

We fall into silence again, and for a moment, I think maybe, just maybe, things between us aren’t completely broken. That maybe, under all the hurt and history, there’s something worth salvaging. But then David straightens, setting his empty cup down. "I should go."

I nod, even though I don’t want him to. I follow him to the door, the cold night air rushing in as he steps outside. He hesitates before turning back to me, something unreadable in his expression. "What do I do to make you stop loving me?" The question knocks the breath from my lungs.

I open my mouth, but before I can answer, the front door swings open, and Ashley steps in, shaking off the cold. "Whew, it’s freezing out there," he says, rubbing his arms. "Oh, am I interrupting something?" His gaze flickers between me and David, and for the first time tonight, I see a brief flash of relief cross David’s face.

David clears his throat. "I should go."

Ashley grins. "Oh, don’t leave on my account. I love a good dramatic reunion."

David just shakes his head, offering me a final glance before stepping outside. He mounts the quad bike, the engine roaring to life, and within seconds, he’s gone, disappearing into the dark expanse of the estate.

I exhale, running a hand through my hair.

Ashley closes the door behind him, shoving his hands into his pockets. "So, that was intense."

I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head. "Yeah."

He tilts his head, watching me. "You okay?"

I should say yes. I should brush it off, pretend that seeing David again hasn’t done something irreversible to me. But I can’t. Instead, I lean against the door, staring at the spot where David had been standing only moments ago. "Maybe coming back here wasn’t such a bad idea after all."

Ashley grins. "Took you long enough to admit it."

I roll my eyes, but I can’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. Because, for the first time in a long while, I think he might be right.

ChapterFive

David

The formal dining room of Galferkus House is filled with voices, the clinking of fine china, and the heavy scent of polished oak and burning peat from the grand fireplace. The room is packed with family members, friends, and estate staff, all gathered for the reading of my grandfather’s will.

I take small pleasure in the sneer my parents aim at the estate staff who, in their minds, have no place at the same table as them. In this legal process, they are all equal, and that likely riles my mother especially up to no end. I stand near the long mahogany table, my parents flanking me like sentries. Their presence is oppressive, thick with unspoken words and judgment. I don’t need to hear what they’re thinking to know how they feel about today, about who is in attendance. Then I see him.

Kelly enters the room alone, his coat buttoned up against the morning chill, his hair slightly ruffled by the wind outside. I rein in a smile as he greets Gertrude, my grandmother’s former personal maid, with a warm smile and a gentle hug. She holds his face in her palms, before bringing his face down to hers and pecking him affectionally on the cheek. He doesn’t look at me immediately, scanning the room, but I catch the flicker of hesitation in his eyes before he takes a seat. No Ashley. I'd expected his friend to be here, standing at his side like a shield, but for whatever reason, Kelly has come alone.