“Was this whole scene just a ploy to ask me questions? Could you not just ask me what you needed to know?” Her eyes searched mine, looking worried.
I let out a nervous breath. “Yes . . . no. I really did need your help rehearsing the scene, but I did have a few things to ask, and it feels like we never have time to talk about our plans. I know we want the same things, but I keep worrying that after we wrap season two I will have to travel to promote the show and we won’t be able to make it happen, and I want to. It’s so . . . strange, Sam. It’s strange to want something so badly when just a while ago you didn’t even know if you wanted it to begin with. Ye ken what I mean?”
She studied me for a moment, and then a smile stretched across her face, reaching her eyes, illuminating her pretty face.
“I ken,” she replied, mimicking my accent.
I dropped the prop sword on the floor and took her in my arms. She wrapped her hands around my neck, but when I tried to lean down and kiss her, she pulled back.
“There’s more you want to know, isn’t there?” she asked.
“Yes, there is, but now I feel like too much of a dafty to ask any more questions.”
“Just ask me whatever you want to know,” she reassured me. “If there are things we haven’t talked about, it’s because I know how much stress you’ve been under. I noticed you haven’t been your usual self, especially since Winston made changes to your training schedule. Hugh, the last thing I want is you doubting me. You should always, always be able to tell me what you think and ask me what you want to know.”
“Okay then, what’s going on with our paperwork to get a license? What have you heard?”
She smiled big. “It’s almost ready. The attorney said it was all just a matter of clarifying my immigrant status here. He seems to think it might be just another week or two and then we can apply for a license, which would be great if we actually had the time to get married right now.” Her eyes widened, as if she finally remembered something. “What else? Is there anything else you want to know?”
“Have I not scared you off with my mood swings? Do ye still want to marry me?” I joked, looking at her sheepishly.
She breathed a laugh. “Yes, I still want you, mood swings and all, but I will do anything to corrupt the screenwriters and convince them to give your character a belly next season. Seriously—this thing where you almost have to starve yourself is unacceptable.”
“I’m not starving myself. The only thing I’m always starved for is you.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “Don’t you try to butter me up. I can see it in your eyes. You look tired, worn out. I understand Abarath is going through some shit this season, but I really don’t want to have you go all method. It’s not healthy for your body, either.”
“Since we’re talking about wedding plans, is there anything you want to mention?”
“Well,” she started. “I have been contacting venues around here. You mentioned a church in Stonehaven, and I have been trying to get in touch with a priest and find a nearby place where we can have the reception, but it all depends. I can’t give them a date until we know the show’s plans for next summer. I don’t know when they will fly you out, when you’re going to have time off . . . so it’s all up in the air. Besides, people around here take wedding plans seriously. Some venues are booked up two years in advance.”
“Two years? I had no clue.”
“I know. We might have to get married in a barn, if it comes down to it,” she said in a low tone, almost as if she were talking to herself.
“A barn, a pub, a movie set—I’d marry you anywhere,” I told her, tracing the profile of her nose with my own. I searched for her mouth, and she responded to my kiss, keeping her lips pressed against mine for a few seconds.
“Good to know. Looks like we’ll need to be flexible.”
“Forgive me for being a stubborn arse?”
She laughed, and the beautiful noise filled the room. I cherished the sound of it. I loved her laugh, the way her face lit up, the way she looked at me, the way she could be patient with me even when I didn’t deserve it.
“I forgive you for being a stupid arse. Besides, I don’t think you can help yourself. It’s a natural trait.”
I frowned. She might have been right, but I was taken aback by her words.
“What do you mean?”
“Your mother seems to think stubbornness runs deep in the MacLeod blood. She told me I better get used to it.”
I laughed softly, and she smiled at me.
“Hold fast?” I asked her once more.
“Hold fast,” she replied. She looked at me, eyes full of love and understanding. On her face was the kind of sweet smile that had made me fall for her, the kind I wanted to see for the rest of my life.
SAM
I entered his trailer in one swift move, like a ninja.
It was crucial that no one saw me—Lord knows what people would say if they saw me in the wrong trailer.
He turned around in his chair and by the way his eyebrows shot up, almost reaching his hairline, I’d say he looked just as surprised as I thought he would.
“Sam, what are you doing here? Is Blair okay? Is she sick?” Mika asked.
Blair?
Oh, right. Blair was the makeup artist working with him. My colleague.
He frowned at my silence, his eyes filling with worry.
So, are they “on” again?
Never mind, I didn’t have time for that.
I shook my head. “No, no. Blair is fine. She’s around . . . somewhere. I’m here to talk to you.”
His expression relaxed instantly, but then he frowned again, taking in my words.
Mika and I were friendly, but we were definitely not friends. He and Hugh and the guys used to hang out a lot . . . whenever Hugh and I weren’t holed up somewhere together. He was always hanging out with the guys when we were in a group, and I never had a chance to work with him one-on-one on set, so I didn’t really know him that well.
What I did know was that I needed him to be my ally. I hoped he’d join my team without asking too many questions, and hopefully keep his lips zipped about the truth.
“Mika, I need your help.”
“What’s going on, Sam?”
“I need you to do something for me.”
He shrugged, his lips curled into a small pout. “Sure. Anything you need.”
“I need you to take Hugh away for the weekend.”
A small laugh escaped his lips and as he grinned, his dimples made an appearance.
“Take Hugh away? Are you already trying to get rid of him, Sam? Is the honeymoon already over?”
I chuckled. It hasn’t even started, I thought to myself.
“No, silly, but there’s something . . . I need to have the weekend to myself. It’s . . . important, and I can’t tell you what it is, but I promise it will be worth all your trouble . . . once you find out what it is.”
His frown deepened and he looked even more confused. I wasn’t making any sense, and I was aware of it, but I couldn’t explain any further.
“So, you can’t tell me what it is . . . but can you at least tell me what you expect me to do? What is it exactly that you want from me?”
I exhaled a deep breath. Of course, I had been rambling so bad, I hadn’t even explained what I needed him to do.
“I need you to convince Hugh to go to Glasgow with you. There’s this CrossFit convention and this guy Hugh has been following is going to be there. He loves his videos and tutorials. He’s been talking about him practically non-stop,” I said with a slight eye roll. “I guarantee you he’ll jump at the opportunity as soon as you mention it.”
“Who’s the guy? Do I know this dude?” he asked.
“Probably. His name is Boyd Rivers. He’s American, but he lives in Amsterdam. He has a gym chain in New York or something like that?”
“The name does sound familiar,” Mika replied pensively.
“Anyway,
you have no idea the trouble I had to go through to get these VIP passes. They were sold out, and I ended up calling the guy and explained my situation to him and his wife—who’s a really cool chick, by the way.” Mika’s blank expression told me I was rambling again and not making much sense. I took a deep breath and tried to put my thoughts in order. “I know I’m confusing you. Bottom line: I need you to take Hugh to this fitness convention in Glasgow and make it look like it’s your idea. That’s all you need to know.”
He closed his eyes and shook his head. He pursed his lips and let out a deep breath through his nose. He was going to say no.
“I don’t know, Sam. I don’t feel good lying to Hugh. Why can’t you just give him the tickets yourself? As a present?”
“Because he’ll figure out I’m trying to get rid of him for the weekend.”
“Well, aren’t you?” he mumbled.
“I am, but . . . it’s not what you think, I swear. I just need some time away, and I can’t get away without . . . ruining everything.” I let the words out and stared at Mika’s suspicious face. This wasn’t going like I’d planned. I felt my heart sink into my stomach, and without even realizing it, I sort of dropped to my knees in a rather dramatic fashion. It hadn’t been my intention to beg, but if seeing me drop to my knees was going to seal the deal, so be it.
“Mika, you must know how much I love Hugh, and I’d never, ever do something to hurt him. I’m trying to do the opposite. I want to make him happy for the rest of my life, but I need just a couple days without him to make that happen. When you find out why, you’ll be glad you helped. That’s all I can say.”
“Fine,” he replied in a low grumble.
Elation coursed through my body, and I felt immediately lighter.
I jumped up to my feet.
“Thank you! Oh, thank you, Mika! You won’t regret it, I promise.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek, and he almost pulled back in surprise. Just then, Blair entered the trailer.
“Hey, I was looking for you. It’s time to come to the makeup trailer, Mr. Hollywood,” she said in a mocking tone. I turned around and a slow, sly smile stretched on her face as she noticed me there. “Were you telling him about this weekend?” she asked me.
I nodded.
“Wait a minute, she knows?” he asked, sounding outraged. “You told Blair but you won’t tell me? Why can you tell her but not me?”
“Because she’s part of my plan, and with you playing for the other team—AKA my fiancé—you’re most likely to betray my trust.”
“I’m an actor, Sam! I know how to keep a secret!” he let out, frustrated, raising his hands up in the air rather dramatically.
“Do you? Is that why everyone in town knows about your crush on Blair? Is it because you know how to keep a secret?”
My words hit home, and he lowered his eyes after briefly glancing at Blair.
“That’s between me and Blair,” he said sheepishly.
“Shite, Sam. Did you really have to bring that out?” Blair said. Yikes. Maybe I had said too much. All this planning was messing with my head; I was so focused on the goal, I was paying no attention to the lines I was crossing.
I let out a breath and ran my hands through my hair in frustration.
“I’m sorry,” I said to them both. “I really am. I didn’t mean to meddle in your business, but if I can give you a small piece of advice, from someone who’s been where you guys are right now, it would be that you have to talk to each other. Stop playing games. Stop lying to yourself,” I said, locking eyes with Blair. These two had had their ups and downs since last year. Apparently, they’d been hot and cold for months, and no one knew about it until Mika spilled the beans on a drunken night out.
Still, I couldn’t risk it. My plan was all I had. When I thought about it, when I pictured it all in my head, I couldn’t wait to see how Hugh would react.
I had kept secrets before, had lied before, when I was trying to get my revenge on Eric, but it was agonizing to keep things from Hugh. I couldn’t wait for him to know everything. My plan simply had to work.
“Mika, back to us,” I told him, locking eyes with him. “Here are the VIP passes, and I will email you all the info with your accommodations. I’m counting on you. Don’t let me down—you’re my only hope,” I added with a pleading smile.
He ran his fingers across his jaw, twiddling with the scruff on his face.
“Fine. You have my word. I won’t say anything. Whatever you’re planning, it better be good,” he said with a pointed finger.
“Yay!” I jumped up and down on the spot and he laughed, his features suddenly relaxed and more beautiful. I looked at him, but he’d locked eyes with Blair, who was standing right be
hind me. The laughter subsided and it was replaced by an intense look that made me suddenly feel like a third wheel.
“Okay, thank you. I’m leaving now. You won’t regret it, Mika,” I told him, and he brought his attention back to me, giving me a nod of his head. I headed for the door.
“You two better be good to each other,” I said without turning around, loud enough for them to hear me. “I’m watching you.”
HUGH
“What’s this?”
“Um, I don’t know. A box?”
“I can see that, but what’s in it? Is it more merchandise for the show?”
“Maybe.” Sam smiled, being awfully coy. She opened the lid and pulled something out. “Tadaaa!” she exclaimed, holding the item in the palm of her hand.
“What’s this? A candle? With my face on it?”
She grinned, her eyes twinkling, her face beaming with far too much excitement. I frowned. I didn’t know how to feel about this. T-shirts were one thing, but candles?
Really?
“What does Abarath smell like?” I read out loud, noticing the tagline on the candle. “What do I smell like?” I asked with a frown.
“Uh-uh, not you, Abarath,” she corrected.
“What does he smell like? Sweat, dirt . . . grass, and on occasion, foul dragon blood, if I had to guess.”
“Pfff! You’re no fun. Don’t you dare kill the dream, Hugh MacLeod. You gotta play the game now that you’re a sex symbol.”
“Am I?” I said with a confused chuckle.
“Yes, of course you are. Where have you been the last few months? People love the show!”
“Oh, really? They do?” I was teasing her mercilessly.
“Okay, stop making fun of me, funny guy,” she said with a half-smile. She opened one of the candles and took a whiff. “Hmmm, these smell good . . . kind of like . . . citrus and wood? Here,” she said, handing it to me. “Your fictional alter ego smells really good.”
“M-My fictional alter ego smells good? Is that supposed to be a jab?” I joked.
“Don’t get butt hurt. That’s not what I said,” she replied innocently, but the expression on her face was anything but. “So, how was that CrossFit convention you and Mika went to?”
“Oh, trying to change the subject, are ye?” I teased her, and she slapped me on the arm.
“I am not! I just want to know how it was. Did you guys have a good time? You got home so late last night, I didn’t have a chance to ask you.” That was true. We didn’t have time to talk about how our weekend apart had been because after a testosterone-fueled weekend with my costar, the only thing I wanted to do when I got back home was give my lady a good ride. I’d missed her. Besides, Mika was too much of a bletherer. I liked the bloke in small amounts, but a whole weekend with him was far too much.
“I’m afraid the production is wasting their money—no one is going to buy those candles.”
“Agree to disagree,” she said, taking another whiff of the candle. She placed it down on the counter and I turned it around, not wanting to stare at my own face. She glanced at her phone.
“We’re running late—I have to get you ready before Nora gets on my case. So, the convention? Was it worth it?” she asked.
“It was incredible.
I wish you could have been there,” I said, and she raised her eyebrows, giving me a skeptical look. “No, really. You would have found it interesting as well. We had VIP passes and afterward we got to hang out with the guy who led the sessions. Really nice bloke. He’s American.”
“What’s his name?”
“Boyd Rivers. He used to live in New York, but he operates out of Amsterdam now.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yeah, he fell in love with an attorney who works there.”
“Huh, an attorney and a CrossFit guru—I wonder how they met. Is she into CrossFit, too?”
“No, I think he mentioned they met through his brother, who’s a musician.”
“Huh. Rivers . . . it sounds familiar, but then again, it’s a popular name.”
“His brother is Lou Rivers, he said. Maybe you’ve heard of him? Boyd said he’s not that famous outside the US.”
“Oh, I know him! I love his music. It’s a mix of folk, country, and bluegrass. He has that whole singer-songwriter thing going on. He might not be very famous, but the guy is very talented. Boyd Rivers is his brother? What are the odds!”
“It was honestly really interesting, and Mika and I learned a lot of new things. I already told Winston I can’t wait to try some of these exercises in our workouts.”
“Good. I’m glad you had a good weekend.”
“What about you? Did you get to sleep in like you wanted?”
She scrunched up her nose and then smiled.
“No, I didn’t.”
“Why not?”
She hesitated for a moment and then let out a breath.
“What is it?”
“Well, it turns out I have a really hard time sleeping when I’m not curled up around my favorite human heater,” she joked, but then a shy smile stretched across her face.
I didn’t think—I just pulled her down to sit on top of me. I didn’t care that we were in the makeup trailer with a bunch of other people. They had been busy working and minding their own business, but of course now their attention was on us. Their whistles and cheers would have embarrassed me, if I cared.
A Scottish Wedding (Lost in Scotland Book 2) Page 12