Page 69 of Midnight Mooring

Kenan wiped his hands with a rag from his pocket, still not meeting my gaze. “Well, I’ve got a wee place in Kinroggan. Just a wee fishing shack but a great place to get away if you ever want to go fishing.”

Taken aback, I felt a bit sorry for the young bloke. If he was asking me to go fishing, he obviously hadn’t made many mates his own age on the island. I caught Sue giving me an Aw bless look behind Kenan’s back. “Aye, maybe some time,” I said.

Kenan shrugged like it was no big deal either way. “Cool. Also, I wouldn’t put up with that, if she were my woman.”

I narrowed my eyes in confusion. “Eh?”

He nodded over my shoulder toward the booth, and I followed his gaze to where Cameron sat, her hand on Torin’s arm as she chatted animatedly. Part of me was glad to see her acting more like herself.

A bigger part of me was … hurt.

Fuck, aye. Hurt.

As if she sensed my gaze, Cameron looked over. Suddenly her expression froze and she moved her hand.

That didn’t make me feel much better.

My instinct was to retreat. To reject her in return.

But what good would that do me? Do her?

Was I just going to stand here and watch another bloke flirt with the woman I believed I belonged to and vice versa?

No.

No fucking way.

I quickly paid for the drinks and strode purposefully back to the table to take my seat. Laird and Fraser were deep in conversation about something work related. They both worked for Murray at his fishing company. Murray was murmuring something in London’s ear, as if they were in their own wee bubble. And Torin had Cameron’s full attention.

“Babe, your G and T.” I slid it across the table toward her, drawing her focus away from him.

She startled, reaching for it before it spilled over the other side. “Eh, thanks.”

I met Torin’s gaze and I hope he read the giant Fuck you in mine.

Something glinted in his sharp eyes. “I was just telling Cammie how happy I am with her designs for the resort.”

“Aye? Well, she’s talented as hell so that doesn’t surprise me.”

Torin nodded. “She is that.”

I didn’t like the heated look he shot her or the slight flush on Cameron’s cheeks as she avoided both our gazes to sip at her drink. A not-so-subtle silent exchange took place between her and London—Cameron’s expression was panicked, London’s was sympathetic.

“She deserves someone who appreciates all that she is.”

At Torin’s pointed comment, my building frustration hit its boiling point. “Are you suggesting something?”

He gave a short shake of his head, but his manner was as goading as his tone. “Just that I don’t understand men who don’t go for what they so obviously want. It’s a bit fucking cowardly, really.”

Everyone at our table stopped talking as they caught wind of Torin’s last few words. I was seconds from shooting out of my chair when Cameron cut in. “No one is a coward.” She glowered at Torin. “What’s between me and Forde is between me and Forde. No one’s business but ours. Maybe he’s not the one holding back.”

Torin raised an eyebrow. “Then maybe you’re the coward.”

I shot to my feet, my chair tumbling onto its back. “What the fuck did you say to her?”

“Forde.” Cameron stood, her palm raised toward me. “It’s not worth it.”

While the bloke rarely smiled, there was something in his countenance. Something a bit devious and … pleased.