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“With it being such a short flight, we won’t even level out much. It tends to be all the way up and then all the way back down, but they’ll serve snacks soon.”

She nods, but she’s not looking at me. She’s leaning with her nose pressed against the window. Her grip has loosened, and she seems more relaxed, but I don’t want to lose her touch, so I keep hold of her hand, threading our fingers together, imagining how good it would be to go on more adventures with her and beherperson.

“I don’t understand. Has your car been parked at the airport the whole time you’ve been working at The Juniper?” Her tone is baffled as we stand in the airport carpark, which has a chuckle rising in my chest.

“Nah, I had someone drop it off for me earlier today,” I tell her. “Hop in.” I open the passenger side of my gunmetal grey G-Wagon, supporting her elbow as she climbs inside before stowing our luggage in the back. As I get seated in the driver’s seat, she’s running her hands over the edges of the leather seat.

“Cam, this is fancy as fuck. Are you rich?” She grins at me, and I can’t resist answering with my own smirk as I start the engine and back out of the space.

“I do alright for myself.”

“Fancy hotels, fancy cars, business class flights. You’ve been playing me along with the tools and slutty workman’s clothes, haven’t you? Are you a secret millionaire?”

“What do you mean by slutty workman’s clothes?” I ask, baffled. And also grateful for the distraction from her other question.

“Those trousers with the padded knees and all the pockets. Sluttier than if you were naked.” Her giggle is musical and makes me want to keep making her laugh. “And don’t change the subject. What’s your net worth?”

“Ha, I dunno. Comfortable. How’s that for an answer?” I spare her a glance.

Her eyes narrow like she’s trying to analyse me and nerves prick in my belly. I can’t decide if wealth would actually have the opposite desired effect on this woman and scare her off.

“That first night, in Glasgow. Was that a hotel room?”

“It’s a suite at the hotel, but I was renting it long term,” I tell her.

“Huh. So how come you’re slumming it at The Juniper instead of staying in the hotel now?”

I think about her question. I could easily afford to stay in the hotel with all the creature comforts I could ever need, and yet, I wanted to spend more time at The Juniper, even without the fluffy carpets, maid service, and twenty-four-hour menu. “Itmakes it easier to put the hours in to move the project along.” I inwardly grimace, wondering if my workaholic ways are driving the decision. “And I’ve grown attached to the building. Realised I quite liked being there after everyone else was done for the day and living there really helps me get to know the place.” I give my head a shake. What a strange notion, but it’s true. “Too weird?” I glance at her with a cringe.

Her eyes twinkle. “Not at all. I swear that building has something magical about it. It seems to lure people in.”

“Yeah, well, hopefully my aunt might be able to give us some information about the whole mystery of The Juniper tomorrow.”

“You managed to set up a meeting with her?”

“Aye, kinda. We’ve been invited for tea and biscuits. As well as dinner with my parents tonight.”

“Family dinner?” Her eyes widen like saucers, and there’s a horrified glaze to them which has me chuckling.

“It’s fine, Pixie. I have made it very clear that you are a friend and you’re not here for my body and my inheritance.” Fairly certain my mum was listening when I spelled it out on the phone anyway. We’ll see. “It’s just a dinner. And my dad’s cooking. He knows what he’s doing. Food should be banging even if we aren’t,” I tell her with a wink. It’s easy to tease her, but deep in my chest, there’s a pull. I can only hope that with this time together, we can work out a way forward that honours her need for independence with my need for more.

Unfortunately, I have to pull my attention from her to concentrate on navigating the road at that point, checking I’m in the correct lane for the city centre. I weave around the streets, pulling up in front of the office where my meeting is being hosted.

“Come on, I’ll walk you down to Buchanan Galleries so you can explore while I’m in the meeting.” I hold her hand as she stepsdown onto the pavement and keep hold of it while I lock the car and walk her up the road.

“Cam, I can find my own way. I don’t want to make you late for your meeting.”

“It’s okay, I’ve got time. I wanted to point a couple of places out along the way.”

We saunter down the street, and I point out the first of two buildings I want to show her. “That bar is like The Thirst Trap–they’ll be open if you wanna pop in for a drink. I can always meet you there after my meeting.” We walk another few hundred metres and I pull us to a stop, turning her slightly so she faces the building across the crossroads we are standing at. “And that’s mine,” I tell her, unable to keep the pride from my voice.

“What do you mean yours?” Her mouth drops open as her gaze is riveted on the building, so similar to The Juniper.

“Well, not mine, exactly. I have a stake in it. That was my first major renovation project a few years ago. The start of my project managing.”

“Can we go in?” she asks.

“I need to head back for this appointment, but you can go in and take a look. Or I can get us a booking in the restaurant for lunch after my meeting if you like? Before we get on the road to Skye?”