Seamus slammed the pint glass to the table next to others, exhaling fiercely with a heavy groan. “You’re too much, Linna Barlow. I can’t figure it out.”

“Do you yield?” She cocked an eyebrow over slightly glistening eyes. Us girls were buzzed but the guys were drunk as hell. We’d been drinking water between beers, unlike them. When we ordered water, Seamus called it something weird. I wasn’t sure what he’d said, but I was positive it meant pussies or lightweights.

“I yield. I’m gonna go throw up now.” He slid from the bench like slime but managed to get to his feet, staggering away from the lot of us as we howled at him.

“Who’s the lightweight now?” Linna called after him.

My stomach hurt from laughing at the five drunken guys, and Jess’ fingers had more mascara on them than her eyes did from cry-laughing.

“Ya wee lassies are a bunch of fecking witches! Admit it—you’ve come from the shadows of the dark forest to tempt us for Samhain,” James shouted, slurring and making the word “Samhain” nearly impossible to understand.

I laughed harder.

“Confess,” Oliver said, wiping the tears streaming down his cheeks. “James is right. You’ve bewitched us.”

“Trust the only Irishman in the bar to find the only witches left in Scotland and bring them to our table.” Lewis scoffed, his eyes were heavy.

“Aye, he’s in on it. Likely bargained his soul to them.” Jack sat back, swaying slightly.

“The Irish have no souls.” James laughed too hard at his own joke.

“What’s yer plan now, drain us of all our manly fluids?” Jack asked.

Jess spat her water, just as she was taking a sip, right across the table at James.

We all started laughing again while he wiped his face.

“I’ll get more beer.” I got up and hurried to the bar with Isaac on my trail. He lingered close enough that I saw him pretending to hang back as I leaned against the bar, bouncing a bit to the song as I sang along.

“Never seen a sexy bat before. Do you stay hidden year round, only coming out on All Hallows’ Eve?” A tall Scottish guy slid up next to me at the bar and waggled his dark eyebrows.

“No, thanks,” I answered politely.

“No, thanks? Odd answer to a question. Is English your second language? Would you prefer I changed to a different dialect?” He laughed. “I speak a few others.”

“I’m in a relationship, so I just don’t want you to waste your time trying to chat with me when it’s going nowhere and your dream girl might be out there, getting scooped up right now. I think you just missed her actually.”

“Dream girls? Jesus, I didn’t know they had those here.” He spun quickly but came back around with an even smugger grin. “Actually, I’m not hitting on ya—trust me, you’d know if I was. I’m friends with the lads.” He motioned his thumb behind him. “I came to beg you to cease and desist. Seamus is likely praying to the porcelain so hard he might make it back to the correct church again by midnight. Sins forgiven and all. And James has the same look he made last time he pissed himself. In my car. Which is also how he’d be getting home tonight.”

“Water then?” I wrinkled my nose but laughed.

“God no. They won’t drink that shite.” He leaned across the bar and motioned at one of the pretty bartenders. “My sweet lady, would you mind pouring five yellow Gatorades into pints and adding a spritz of tonic water to make them pale like beer?” He handed her a large bill, far more than the Gatorade was worth.

“Sure.” She clasped her hand around the money and smiled, brushing her fingers against his. It was a well-practiced move.

He lifted one eyebrow and offered the slightest bit of a smile, getting her to lean forward. Then his dark-blue eyes dazzled as he gave the full smile, dimple and all. She inhaled like she’d been hit by cupid’s arrow, and I understood what he’d meant before. Clearly, his moves were well practiced.

She staggered back a bit, not breaking the stare.

He broke it and turned to me. “What were we talking about then?”

“You need to keep that locked up.” I pointed at his face. “She isn’t going to be the same for months.”

“So you’re saying not only do you find me attractive, but she’s also into me?” Again, the innocent excited eyes flashed at me, only this time he was making fun of me. “Ah, she’ll be fine. It’s them I’m worried about. When you carry over the tray, I’ll follow after they have their drinks. They’ll suspect I’m up to something if I give them this.”

“Okay. But you don't think they’ll notice it’s Gatorade and not beer?”

“Not likely.” He chuckled. “They’re pissed.”

“Who are you?”

“Lucas Reid.” He held a hand out. I lifted mine and let him shake both our hands. He stopped shaking but held my hand until I pulled it back.

“You play rugby with them?” He wasn’t built the same way they all were. They were thick and muscled. He was muscled, but more like Aiden in that European body type that made a dress shirt and pants look like they were designed for him. More like a soccer player.

“Not exactly.” He smiled and pressed his lips together. “Jack’s my wee baby brother. I came up for the party to make sure they get home safely.”

“Awwwwww.” I made fun of him back. “Adventures in Babysitting.”

“Sort of, but more like making sure he’s not kicked off the team for fighting while drinking. And there goes his career.”

“Oh, he’s that good?” I asked as our drinks arrived and I turned back to take the tray from our server, to her disappointment. “Thanks.” I grabbed the card with her number on it and handed it to Lucas. “This must be for you.”

“Thank you.” He lifted it and smiled at the girl, not giving her the same look as before, as I carried the tray into the crowd with him doing crowd control for me so I didn’t spill. “Aye, Jack’s that good. He’s the eighth man and he plays like he was born with the ball in his hands. Tackles like he’s a bull in mating season. And runs like he’s also the cow in mating season.”

“You’re weird.” I chuckled as I hurried to the table before one of the drunks tipped my tray. “Here you are, my delicate flowers.” I slid a pint at the guys and put Seamus’ where he sat by Linna who instantly noticed Lucas.

Everyone took a large gulp, not minding, apart from a couple of sour faces that lasted but a moment.

They were pissed, indeed.

“Luke, my big pain-in-the-ass brother. Where ya been?” Jack shouted with his arms out as though they might embrace over the table, but he didn't stand a chance at getting up.

“Trying to meet a dream girl.” He winked at me as he sauntered over to the table as if by accident.

“You dinna want that one. She’s taken.” Jack waved me off.

“Oh, I know.” He leaned on the back of the chair and surveyed the guys. “Last drink maybe?”

“Now, this one is magic. She tricked us.” Oliver pointed at Linna.

She offered a smug grin at Lucas. “You wanna play too?”

“I’m designated driver, so I best pass. This lot looks like they might have drunk everything in the building already anyway. No beers left.” Lucas smiled, his eyes flickering my way again. “So what are three American girls doing in Scotland?”

“College,” I said.

“St Andrews,” Linna added. “She’s dating a European guy, so we came over to be closer to him.”

“Good friends you have there.” Lucas nodded along with the story.

“Best friends.” I leaned into Jess. “And sister.”

“Sisters. I’ve never had sisters before.” Oliver grinned.

“Aye and ya never will. Drink up.” Lucas pointed at the pints of pale yellow liquid.

Seamus came staggering back to the table, slow blinking and rubbing his eyes.

“There he is.” Lucas patted him on the back as he sat. “Back like a champion for another round.”

Seamus’ face was flushed and his eyes watery, but he managed to lift the pint to his lips and take a sip. He cringed at the taste but pressed on.

“Not one of yas is less than two hundred and twenty pounds, and ya let these little girls, half your size, drink ya under the table. You’re shameful, all of ya,” Lucas mocked them, folding his arms and sighing.

“Taught us some shite game called Cardinal. Wasn't our fault. They tricked us.” Oliver tried to defend them, but he slurred too much to really do it justice.

“Cardinal?” Lucas lifted his heavy brow, offering Linna a disappointed stare. “Really?”

“What?” Linna’s tone dripped with honey.

“Don’t what me, all innocent-like. I’ve played that game before. Why aren’t you three pissed as well?”

“We split it, beer for water every round. They didn’t want to listen.”

“Poor choice, lads. Damage is done though. Bottoms up and then we go home. I have to go back to London early and it’s a long drive to Edinburgh.”

“London?” I asked.

“Aye, I work there. Come home sometimes if I can, to make sure these idiots don't get into too much trouble.”

“Interesting,” Linna added, leaning forward. “What do you do in London?”

“I’m a pupillage in chambers.”

“What’s that?” Linna smiled like he was making this up.

“He’s training to become a lawyer, being the pupillage means he’s like a lawyer’s understudy, shadowing him or her to learn how to do it,” Jess answered flatly.

“Exactly that,” Lucas concurred.

“Oh cool. Like an intern but for law. What school did you go to?”

“Oh, my brother is a proper Cambridge boy. You’d think he was fecking English with how much boot licking he’s done.” Jack laughed but Lucas didn't, not for a second.

“That’s a really good school,” I offered, trying to help him out.

“It’s a very good school.”

“Costs a pretty penny too. Had Ma working two jobs to keep you fed,” Jack mocked again but there was no humor in the joke, only bitterness.

“All right, enough,” Lucas warned.

“What?” Jack tried to sound innocent.

“Shut it, Jack. Are ye starting?” Seamus’ Irish accent was thicker now that he was drunk off his ass. “I’m not sure I can bear to watch Lucas sort you out again. He’s gonna lose his head and marmalade you.”

“Is that English?” Jess narrowed her gaze at Seamus.

“’Tis.” He nodded with his whole upper body. “Fooking good English too.”

Everyone started to laugh, even Lucas.

Jess gave me a subtle hinting stare. She was done and ready for bed.

“On that note, we should be going. It’s after midnight.” I glanced over at Isaac and Tracy, motioning for the door. “But it was fun meeting you all.” I climbed from the booth and smiled at Lucas. “Have a safe trip home.”

“Enjoy Scotland.” He lifted his phone. “On the off chance your situation changes, which I hope it does, do you Snapchat or Instagram or Facebook?”

“Lucas, Lucas, Lucas. I’d never give you my number or stalker links. I’m dating someone, so it would be super uncool. But also, if my situation were to change, I’d hate to ruin the chase.” I patted him on his firm chest and waved at the guys. “Try not to puke or pee in his car.”

Linna gave Seamus a small kiss on his cheek. “Good night.”

Jess waved. “Night.”

We walked away from the sound of the guys arguing about us leaving, and followed the guards out. I peered back at Lucas who grinned from ear to ear. He lifted his phone. “I’ll shoot you a message by tomorrow night then?”

“Ha, good luck.” I laughed and lost him in the crowd.

“You were flirty.” Linna narrowed her gaze as she inspected my face for a reaction.

“I guess.” I didn't try to deny it. I was flirty. “I had fun. Did you guys?”

“Oh aye,” Jess did a piss-poor accent. “That was exactly what I imagined being on the set of a Middle Earth movie would be like.”

I laughed but Linna had no clue what she was talking about. She hadn’t paid attention during the forced Lord of the Rings and Hobbit experience.

But she would.

We all had to.

And eventually we would all admit Viggo was a god in the role of Strider.

“Why are we leaving so early?” Linna asked, turning back to Seamus.

“He’s drunk off his ass”—I lifted an eyebrow—"and you put all your eggs in one basket instead of making sure you had options.”

“He is, isn’t he?” She grinned wickedly. “Too bad. Remind me not to do the eggs in one basket thing again.”

“You ladies destroyed them. Well done, Miss Linna,” Tracy offered with a wry grin. “Never seen such small girls take down a Scottish rugby team so well.”

“Thanks, Tracy. I take pride in bringing down burly boys and making them weep for their mommas.” She cackled and climbed into the car. “They never saw us coming.”

“That’s for sure.” I laughed as I got in. “They should have trusted us on the water rounds.”

“Seamus might have been more fun if he had.” She sounded disappointed again. But she’d made her bed and I was ready for mine.

The night felt strange now that I was in the quiet of the car, with Linna stalking Seamus on social media and Jess with her eyes closed.

I spent the silence contemplating what Linna had said.

I had been flirty, but not too flirty, had I? I wanted to be fun and have fun. But my record of flirting with guys to the point that they ended up liking me wasn't great. I wasn’t amazing at self-control. Aaron and Carter were prime examples. Aiden was the first guy I hadn’t really flirted with at all. I wondered what that meant.

“Lucas was super into you,” Linna whispered, confirming my suspicions that I’d been too flirty. “And he was crazy hot.”

“I have a boyfriend,” I reminded her quietly.

“No, you have a secret fiancé and baggage and drama. Lucas was like a hot breath of fresh air compared to your bullshit existence.”

“I love my baggage.” I met her gaze.

“Good to have options,” she offered.

“She is literally the devil on your shoulders,” Jess said, not trying to be quiet at all.

“It’s called balance, Jess. And you being the good angel, would never know what that feels like,” Linna added some attitude for seasoning.

“Pretty sure my last six months have stripped me of my wings,” she muttered, her eyes still closed.

“She has a point there,” I noted and stared out the window again.

When we got back to the dorm, Linna hit the showers while Jess went right to bed, barely washing her makeup off. I changed into pajamas and sat in the old chair in the common room and stared out the window, watching the last of the students finishing off the night with Halloween shenanigans. Some staggered back to the dorms, others made out in dark corners. A couple got into a heated argument on the sidewalk, her shoving him at least once. It reminded me of the heated arguments Aiden and I had gotten into. I almost missed fighting with him, at least it meant he was nearby.

I was two months into my many years of being away from him, and I was already miserable and questioning everything.

Did I really have another four years in me?

Or worse, would I give up college to go be with him in Andorra? Was that what I wanted, and would I resent him or me or both of us for it?

For a moment I wished I could call Hattie, but it was already too late. I needed a dose of common sense and reality to snap me back from feeling sorry for myself that my boyfriend situation had turned out so weird. I needed her to tell me this wasn't going to be the rest of my life, me watching other people have a good time while always being guarded and monitored. And Aiden always being busy.

Pressing his name on my phone, I decided to try once in case he had waited up.

“Hey?” It was Aiden’s turn to speak in a low tone.

“Hi.” I exhaled calmly, loving the sound of his voice. Needing it.

“You home now?” he asked like he didn't already know, but I could hear the grin in his voice.

“Oh stop. We both know I’m home. You’re tracking me, remember?” I smiled at his crazy life and how it had intersected with my own.

“Right.” Hearing him smile when he spoke worked as a great dose of what I needed, patching all my doubts and concerns, especially when he laughed. “You haven’t stopped sharing your locations, so I have to assume you fancy it a bit, being stalked.” He was much lighter than earlier.

“I do, depending on the guy doing the stalking. Are you in bed?”

“I am and there’s a rather large empty space where you’re meant to be.”

My cheeks flushed with color as I imagined it, us in bed together, until I remembered his mother and sister-in-law. “I don't think I’m meant to be in bed with you where your parents live,” I muttered. “Gross.”

“It wasn't so gross last time you were here,” he teased.

“It was awkward. Maybe next time I’m there we can discuss a different sleeping arrangement. Like a hotel or an Airbnb. Something different.”

“When are you going to be here next?” he sounded a little desperate again.

It took me a moment to realize it would be a while. “I don’t know.”

“You’re still going home for Thanksgiving in a month then?”

“I have to. We all promised our parents we would, and Jess needs to spend some time with her cat.” I’d agreed to work on not hating the stepmonster as much as I always had. Apparently, she was doing the same, though Jess didn’t trust her at all and was trying to anticipate what type of trap we were walking into.

“Maybe I’ll see about coming. It’s not a holiday here, but I can use the old ‘respecting your culture’ nonsense. As if you Americans have culture,” again he teased me.

“Hey, we have football, barbecue, the Bible Belt, and the Statue of Liberty. We have culture.” We both laughed.

When he stopped, he sighed. “I miss you. I don't think I realized how hard this would be.”

“I know,” I agreed, sensing dread neither of us would speak of. “It’s only been two months and I’m dying from this. How on earth are we going to make four years out of it?”

“This from the girl who was dead set against rushing her life and wanted her space and refuses to tell our families we’re engaged.”

“Maybe two months is enough space,” I offered weakly. “And I told Linna and Jess.”

“Maybe we should consider you coming here for school next year. Sort of rotating, a year here and a year there.” He sounded hopeful.

“Maybe.” I was willing to discuss it. If I was this desperate to see him, I would be miserable by summer.

“That gives me something to dream about. Meaning, I have to go to sleep now.” He yawned. “I have the earliest morning imaginable, and it’s two in the morning here. Between school and my parents, I barely have room to breathe, but I’ll call tomorrow. I promise. I love you.”

“Love you too.” I hung up and stared at his kissy face. School in Andorra would probably be all right. I could do what he was doing, tutors and distance ed. And I could see him every day. I imagined that for a second before a noise interrupted my longing.

Pausing to listen, I heard it again and decided to investigate. I got up and tiptoed to the hallway where Linna was sneaking out.

“What are you doing?” I whispered. She was in pajamas and a sweater with her hair pulled into a struggle bun.

“Seamus is here. Lucas drove him. They’re downstairs. He said he wanted to say goodnight properly, since he’s sobered up a lot.”

“It’s one in the morning. How is he even still awake?”

“I don't know. But they never made it home. They’re staying here, in St Andrews. At the golf course.” She nodded her head at the door. “Come with. I don't want to go alone.”

“You shouldn't be going at all. He could be some skin suit weirdo. I saw a thing on Fifth Est—”

“You have to stop watching TV with Jess. It’s making you nerdy. Just come. You totes owe me.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me for the door. I grabbed a sweater from the back of a chair as we passed it, and followed, tiptoeing to the main door. It was a terrible idea. She was going to sneak off with Seamus and leave me with Lucas, and he was already forward. And I’d been flirty. Why’d I have to be flirty?