Page 97 of Highland Getaway
He nods in the general direction of the room, where the party is back in full swing, now that all the interruptions are over.
‘You’re good at organising things,’ Hunter says. ‘At managing people. You know how to get things done, and you have a way of doing it without ruffling too many feathers, the way I seem to. I think we need you here. I don’t think we can do without you, actually. I know I can’t.’
‘Are you offering me a job?’ I ask cautiously, wanting to make sure I’m getting this right. ‘Or something more?’
‘I’m offering you everything, Rosie,’ Hunter says, without hesitation. ‘A job. A home.Me.’
His face is open, his eyes filled with hope.
I take a deep breath to steady myself, my mind skimming over the hundreds of miles between here and my life in London. My friends. My family. My job. Everything I know.
Can I really leave it all behind, just like that?
‘That’s if you want it,’ he adds, his eyes darkening as he watches the conflicting emotions play across my face. ‘It can just be a job, if you .?.?. if that’s all you’re interested in. It’s a big move, I know that better than anyone. And we’ve only known each other for four days, so I’ll understand if you say no. I promise I’ll understand. But—’
He swallows, his eyes shining in the dim light of the busy room.
‘But I really hope you’ll say yes,’ he says, so quietly I have to lean into him to hear the whispered words. ‘It’s what I want more than anything, Rosie.You’rewhat I want, more than anything. I don’t want to be friends. I want to give this a chance; see where it goes. I can’t stand the thought of these being our last moments together.’
‘Ten!’ yells someone behind me, as the countdown begins, almost as if it’s been waiting for Hunter’s words to cue it in.
‘Nine!’ roars the crowd, enthusiastically taking up the chant.
I gaze around the room, at the crowd of people I didn’t even know existed this time last week, but who’ve already come to feel like old friends. Well,someof them, anyway.
‘Eight!’
Over on the dance floor, Bex and Daniel sway together slowly, their arms wrapped around each other, dreaming of the family they’ll have this time next year.
‘Seven!’
Millie and Callum are standing by the drinks table, edging their way towards each other in a way they presumably think is subtle, but which leaves no one in any doubt who either of them will be kissing at midnight.
‘Six!’
Izzie is carried past on the shoulders of the red-bearded man I briefly argued with outside the hotel earlier, her hair and cloak flying behind her.
‘Five!’
Lord Glenmuir follows her, held aloft by two burly-looking villagers, who seem to be taking both him and his chair to the dance floor.
‘Four!’
Yasmin is dancing in a circle with some of the kids from the village – Hannah included – who all look equal parts impressed and terrified by her.
‘Three!’
Zara and Luna join them, both of them pointing and shouting excitedly at something on the other side of the room, where .?.?.
‘Two!’
.?.?. Sabrina and Dante are kissing in a corner as if both of their lives depend on it.
‘One!’
The clock in the hallway booms into life, as streamers and champagne corks erupt into the air. All around us, people are hugging and kissing, while here in the centre of it all, Hunter and I stand perfectly still, both of our lives teetering precariously on the edge of this brand-new opportunity, and the myriad opportunities it brings.
Change.
