Page 13 of Scotch & Dreams

Lachlan looked at her thoughtfully. "So ye would work with clients on their business attire. That sort of thing.”

“Exactly. People who want to find their sense of style or need to build up a workplace wardrobe. I’m also planning to reach out to branding photographers to collaborate. I could style their clients, and they could do branding shoots for me. Well, once I have some, that is.”

“That’s a clever plan. Were you a personal stylist in Canada too?”

Violet appreciated his vote of confidence. It was nice to be able to share her ideas with him. She'd gotten used to all the nay-saying. Lachlan's reaction was refreshing.

“No,” she huffed and picked up a sugar packet that was sitting on the table and fiddled with it between her fingers. “I had a soul-sucking job at a law office for the past four years. I was the assistant to one of the law partners at the firm. He was fine, and the job was fine. And I know I should be grateful to have landed the position, but I honestly hated it.” She glanced up at Lachlan, who watched her impassively.

“I knew I needed to make a change, so eight months ago, I began an online styling diploma program. I always loved fashion, so it felt like something I’d enjoy. The plan was to get some credentials and start a new life in London, but then Scotland kept calling, and apparently, I listened.” She grinned. “So here I am.”

Violet’s parents tried to discourage her, not because they wanted her to stay per se, but because they thought she was crazy to try and start a career in a foreign country she’d never even been to. They couldn’t understand why she wasn’t content to stay at the law firm. Then her mom tried for the umpteenth time to rope Violet into her latest MLM. There was no way she would ever follow in her footsteps with those kind of companies.

Violet loved her family, but she knew that she needed to do this—to at least try to live the life of her dreams. She surprised herself opening up to Lachlan. She wondered if it was because this was probably the first real conversation she’d had since arriving here.

Hearing her reasons for coming to Scotland, would he think she was irresponsible and reckless like her family did? She shouldn’t care what he would think of her, but somehow, she did. He’d come to her rescue last night, and now, he was helping her again by staying with her. She didn’t want him thinking poorly of her.

“I admire ye, lass, fer following yer dreams. People talk about their dreams, but very few take the steps toward them. It takes courage.”

Violet felt her shoulders drop as the tension began to melt away. Again, she was surprised by his response. God, where did this guy come from? Definite relationship material. Not that she was looking, per se. She was in Scotland to follow her dreams—dating wasn't even on her radar.“My family would not agree with you, but I appreciate your perspective. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m crazy, but you only live once, right?”

Lachlan stared at her as if her words had struck him. “Ye call it crazy, but I think it's incredible. Most people dinnae ken what they want. Life just happens to them, and I think most of us dinnae even notice the direction it is going in.”

Violet had the sneaking suspicion he was referring to himself and not just people in general.

His gaze was drawn out the window at the sea. “Ye make me wonder about my own life. I used to think I ken what I wanted.”

“You're not sure?” she asked gently, noting he seemed to be grappling with something.

“I dinnae think I am. No.” He scraped a hand over his jaw, and she let him be with his thoughts. “Ye are givin' me pause, Violet Munro.”

She almost shivered at the sound of her name on his lips. The way he rolled theR. Her name had never sounded so good.

“Is that a good thing?” she asked.

He turned back to her and smiled lightly. “Aye, lass, it is. Ye are a dreamer, and ye are reminding me how important it is to dream.”

Violet was taken aback. It made her heart happy to know she might be pushing the needle for her knight. He’d done so much for her. She was glad if she’d inadvertently done something to help him.

Despite having a slight headache, Violet was having such a good time with Lachlan. As they waited for their breakfast, he told her more about the town and surrounding county. His love for his homeland made her all the more happy to be there.

Chapter 9

Saint Lachlan

“I’mjustgoingtozip to the washroom before our breakfast arrives,” Violet said as she slid out of the booth seat.

“Washroom.” Lachlan chuckled. “They are known as toilets here.”

Violet crinkled her nose. “Really?”

“Aye.” Lachlan smiled. “Down this aisle and to the left at the end.”

As she walked away from him, his eyes inadvertently dropped to her butt. He didn’t intend to look, but it just happened. She wore a white delicate blouse with a red cable-knit cardigan, slim-fit navy denim cuffed at the ankles, and tan pixie boots. She was so damned attractive, and then there was her arse. Lord help him, he shouldn’t have looked down. As she walked, her perfectly formed, heart-shaped arse was like a leash that he was on the end of. He couldn’t tear his gaze away. It wasn’t until she turned the corner that he discovered he wasn’t the only one absorbed by the view.

“Damn,” the first comment came from a booth over.

“Feckin’ hell,” came the next.

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