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She turns to face me, eyes wide with excitement. “Yes, please. Would love to see how it looks inside.”

“Okay, I’ll call in the reservation on my way back up the road. You really don’t mind entertaining yourself for a couple of hours?”

“Cam, I’m fine. I’m looking forward to exploring again. I like this city.”

“Okay, I’ll meet you over the road for lunch at noon?”

Her nod is distracted as she studies the building across the way.

The meeting overruns, and I rush to meet Abby for lunch. She’s already seated and sipping a drink when I arrive. We both choose off the set menu for lunch, and it’s a pleasure to watch her tucking into the Scottish fare. I check my watch. “We should aim to get on the road soon. It’s about five hours without a stop, and I thought you might want to stretch your legs at Glencoe.”

“I’m ready when you are.” I’m fast realising that Abby is much more agreeable when she’s full of good, hearty food or I’ve banged her brains out–and even then it’s important to feed her afterwards. It’s no hardship tending to her needs to make her happy. And if she gave me the chance, I would jump at the opportunity to take care of her long term. She seems to think that her non-monogamous outlook will scare anyone off long term. But fuck that, if we’re both happy–what does it matter who we fuck? I just need to find a way to convince her we can mean something to each other and still be non-monogamous.

Chapter twenty-eight

Cam

It’s early evening by the time I pull up into my parents' driveway.

“Abby.” I rest my hand on her shoulder to give her a gentle shake. She’s been asleep for the last hour or so of the drive. Her head rests against the window, and her eyes gradually peel open to blink up at me. “Hey, we’ve arrived.”

She looks around in confusion. “I didn’t mean to sleep. Why didn’t you wake me?”

I shrug. “We had an early start at the airport, and I know you were working late last night. Plus, you don’t snore, so I let you away with it.” I tap her nose with amusement.

“I remember the castle and nothing after that.”

“Yeah, you’ve missed the Skye scenery, but that’s okay—you must have needed the rest. I won’t take it personally.” I glance over as light filters out from the front door opening. “Heads up. My family has seen us arrive. Prepare yourself for an invasion.” The dogs bark as they fly out of the open door to greet us. “Take amoment. I’ll get out and say hello,” I tell her before hopping out from behind the wheel. I close my door, giving her some quiet in the vehicle before the upcoming madness.

The two border collies, Pip and Squeak, take a flying leap for me, making me laugh. It’s been a while since they saw me, and their excitement is palpable.

“Hey, love,” my mum says as she steps closer. Her gaze flicks to the vehicle to where Abby still sits inside.

“Mum, hey.” I draw her into a hug, feeling her hands come around my middle and squeezing me tight. “Abby was sleeping, so I’m just giving her a moment to wake up.”

“Of course, love.” Mum pats my cheek with her palm as the dogs go crazy, leaping around us in circles.

“Give us a minute and I’ll bring her in for introductions,” I tell Mum and make my way around the bonnet of the car towards Abby’s door once she’s headed back inside, calling the unruly dogs along behind her.

I smile through the window at Abby, who’s finger combing her lilac hair using the small mirror on the sun visor. “You look gorgeous,” I tell her as I open the door to help her out.

“I can’t believe I fell asleep. I’m lousy company. Sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologise. It’s good to see you rest.” She offers me a tentative smile as she steps down from the car. “Ready for introductions?”

She draws in a deep breath as she straightens her shoulders. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“I promise they’re not that scary. The dogs may try to leap all over you though. Are you okay with dogs?” I can’t hold back my worried tone, internally cursing myself that I didn’t check before now, as I grab our bags from the back seat.

“I love dogs.” She smiles as she precedes me to the door and then takes a sidestep so I enter first. Mum’s hovering just inside the hallway, fussing with some knick-knacks on a sideboardthere. She turns to face us, her gaze taking in Abby from head to toe.

“Hi, I’m Becky. You must be Abby, Cam’s… friend.” Her tone is tinged with curiosity, and my eyes narrow as she hugs Abby.

“Hi, yes, that’s right. Pleased to meet you, Becky,” Abby says, before crouching to say hello to the dogs.

“Cam, leave the bags just here by the door. Your father’s cooking. Dinner’s not far away, if that works for you both?”

“Sounds grand, thanks, Mum.”