The Highland Fling

by Meghan Quinn

“Penis . . . Stone,” he enunciates, trying very hard. Well, there you have it, folks: he’s trying to communicate that he’s currently erect. His penis is hard as stone. That doesn’t make things uncomfortable at all. “My God,” I whisper to Dakota. “They are forward here.” Turning back to him, I say, “Congratulations on your erection, sir. Quite a feat to accomplish in the middle of a city.” I give him a solid fist shake. Solidarity. “Keep up the good work—” “The Castration Stone.” Dakota has spoken up . . . finally, despite being hunched over and completely out of it, thanks to the flight. “He’s not boning out—he’s talking about the Castration Stone.” “Aye.” He winks at Dakota.

“Nothing happened.” To Rowan, I whisper, “Nothing happened, right?” “Her tits threw themselves at me, and she told me my chest felt like a chinchilla.” “I said that out loud?” “Mumbled it,” he says, awkwardly patting me on the back. “What a . . . thrilling night,” Dakota says, still looking confused. “So is this . . .” She wags her finger between us. “A thing?” “What? No.” I shake my head. “Nope. No . . . no.” “If you didn’t get that, it’s a solid no,” Rowan chimes in.

When I finally pull away, he fixes me with a stare. “What was that for?” I shrug. “Thought maybe you needed a hug.” He slowly nods. “Didn’t think I did . . . until you gave me one.”

He takes a step away, and I hear him exhale harshly before he turns around, grabs me by the hand, and pulls me into another tight hug. With his chin resting on my head, he says, “I had fun last night.” “I did too,” I admit, feeling those butterflies Dakota was talking about. He squeezes me and then takes off, giving me a brief wave before exiting the cottage. A large smile erupts over my face as I watch him walk away. Oh no . . . this isn’t good at all. It’s happening. I think I’m crushing on Kilty McGrumpyshire.

“There’s no walk of shame. Nothing happened. We just passed out in my bed. Trust me, if something happened, my lady parts would know about it. Let’s just say it’s been quite a long time since I’ve done the walk of shame.” “Interesting. He looked like he got some last night,” Isla says, which piques my interest. “Is that so?” I lean my chin into my hand and bat my eyelashes at her from over the counter. “Please, tell me more.” She chuckles. “He was smiling, and it’s not very often Rowan smiles.” I press my hand to my chest, and I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. “I did that to him. I made him smile.”

“Do you love her?” I don’t even have to think about it. The answer is clear as day in my head, even through the fog of my da’s illness. “I do. She’s the first lass I’ve ever loved.” “Do you want her to be the last?” I reach up and grip the top of the doorframe. “Yeah, I would, but I don’t think that’s an option. She’s going back to America on Tuesday.” “Tuesday?” I nod. “Then that means you still have today.” He smiles.

“So what’s stopping you? Your stubborn pride? Don’t let a personality trait you inherited from me keep you from getting what you want. You love her, yes?” “Aye.” “Then be the man I know I raised. Apologize, and beg her to stay. If there was one thing I noticed when we’d speak to you on the phone, it was the passion you had for that girl. The same passion I have for your maw. It’s one-of-a-kind love, Rowan. Don’t be an eejit and lose it.”

“You and I are right where we’re supposed to be. Do you understand? The best thing you can do for me, in these last days of my life, is make sure I leave this earth knowing that you’re taking care of your maw, that you’re a man of this town, and that you’re happy. And I mean deep-rooted, to your marrow, happy. Can Bonnie bring you that kind of happiness?” “She’s the only thing that’s ever washed away the pain and brought me joy.” “Then what the fuck are you doing here, talking to me, you bawbag? Go get her.”

“And then you came into my life. A ball of energy and blonde hair ready to take the piss out of me any chance you got. You drove me crazy, and yes . . . you made me act like Kilty McGrumpyshire.” I snort, even as my heart threatens to pound out of my chest. “But hell, Bonnie, you made me feel fucking alive again.”

“I love you, Bonnie. I don’t know how it happened, or when it happened, but I’m glad that it did. You’ve forced me to step outside of my stagnant little world and learn to breathe life back into my lungs.” He clears his throat. “The other day, when I screamed at you to leave . . . fuck, I don’t know what I was thinking. I was out of control, and I took it out on you. I was too embarrassed, too angry, too blind to fix it with you. I needed to get my head on straight, and honestly, I’m barely hanging on at this point. But my da said I can’t lose you, and he’s right. I can’t let a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love walk out of my life without putting up a fight. So please don’t leave, lass. Please don’t fucking go back to America. I need you here. I want you in my life, in my bed, by my side . . . forever.”

“I love you too, Rowan. I don’t know how or when it happened either, but just like you . . . I’m glad that it did.” “Then you’ll stay, lass?” “Of course she’s going to stay!” Dakota yells as she barrels out of the kitchen and throws her arms around me.

“I can’t imagine being anywhere else.” I lower my forehead to his. “I love you, McGrumpyshire.” “I love you, lass.”

“Are you two ready? We would really like to get married,” Dakota says. “You’re the one who put him in a kilt.” Bonnie goes up to her best friend and places a soft kiss on her cheek. I hear her say, “I’m so happy for you. You deserve all of this and so much more.” “Don’t make me cry.” Dakota waves her hand in front of her face, making Bonnie laugh.

I gaze down the aisle as Bonnie and Dakota walk down it together, holding hands. Bonnie meets my eyes and smiles, and happiness floods my whole body. It was kind of mad of my maw to put out an advert, looking for two friends to run the coffee shop, but to this day, it was the most life-changing thing she’s ever done. Not only did the idea give the coffee shop a future no one could’ve believed possible, but it also brought Isla love. And it brought me a whole new perspective on life. I made peace with my da. I’m in love. I’m engaged. I have a baby on the way. Bonnie will say she came here on a whim, but I felt the weather shift the day she arrived in town. I think it was more than just a whim. If I have to admit it—I glance up at the sky as clouds overhead start rolling in—I think Callum had a small part to play as well.