Page 135 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

THE SCOTSMAN WHO LOVED ME

KARINA

Late September in Seattle brings a crispness to the air that feels like fresh starts.

The leaves are just beginning to turn, splashing the cityscape with hints of gold and crimson against the evergreen backdrop.

It's the kind of perfect autumn day where anything seems possible—even corporate redemption.

Three weeks into our relationship, I'm still adjusting to the peculiar reality of strangers recognizing me as "the hashtag lady" or "Kilted Casanova's girlfriend."

"Stop fidgeting," Viktoria whispers as we wait in the wings of Abernathy Corp's press conference room."You look like you're about to flee the country."

"I'm considering it.”I smooth my blazer for the seventh time."Switzerland has excellent privacy laws."

"And terrible hashtags," Susanna adds from my other side."#SwissMiss doesn't have the same ring as #KiltedCasanova."

I resist the urge to elbow her in the ribs only because there are photographers potentially watching."Why are you two even here?This is a corporate event, not family dinner."

"Moral support," Viktoria replies.

"Entertainment value," Susanna chimes in."Plus, Mom made me promise to record everything for her Instagram.She and Fiona are doing a joint livestream reaction video."

"Dear god," I groan."Our mothers are social media influencers.How is this my life?"

"The real question," Viktoria says, nodding toward the press room where reporters are settling in, "is whether your boyfriend remembered to wear underwear beneath his kilt."

"He's not wearing a kilt today," I hiss, feeling warmth spread through me."And he's not technically my?—"

"If you say 'not technically my boyfriend,' I will personally start a new hashtag called #DenialAintJustARiverInEgypt," Susanna threatens.

Before I can respond, Alana appears at my elbow, clipboard in hand and expression professionally blank despite the evil glint in her eye.

"Ms.Peters, we're ready for you.Mr.Abernathy is already at the podium."

I take a deep breath, nod to my sisters, and follow Alana into the press room.

The space falls immediately silent as I walk toward the podium where Callum stands—tall, imposing, and devastatingly handsome in a custom suit with the subtlest hint of the McRae tartan in his pocket square.

Our eyes meet, and he gives me a small, private smile that somehow both steadies my nerves and sends them into overdrive simultaneously.

Three weeks, and he still has this effect on me.

I suspect he always will.

"Ms.Peters," he says formally, though his eyes are warm."Shall we begin?"

I take my place beside him as cameras flash and reporters lean forward in anticipation.

The official press release describing the historic acquisition sits on tablets in front of each attendee, but it's clear from their expressions that they're hoping for something juicier than corporate strategy.

"Good morning," Callum begins, his Scottish accent more pronounced in these formal settings."Today marks the successful completion of Abernathy Corp's acquisition of MacTavish Global, creating the world's most comprehensive digital identity protection platform."

He launches into a concise overview of the acquisition terms, strategic benefits, and integration timeline.

I watch the reporters' faces shift from eager anticipation to professional resignation as they realize this portion will be strictly business.

"As part of our expanded vision," Callum continues, "Abernathy Corp is proud to announce the creation of a new division focused on recruiting non-traditional talent into the tech sector.The Beyond Your Label Initiative will be headed by Karina Peters, whose personal experience navigating career barriers has provided invaluable insight into systemic challenges."