Page 4 of Closer than Ever

“I like your thinking. You know, I love it here already. This pub and the small amount of the town I’ve already seen are exactly what I imagined. It’s magical.”

Anna inhaled, thrilled that Hayley’s first impressions were good. “I’m glad you think so. It’s a special place.”

“Hey Anna. What can I get for you both?” Jamie said behind the bar. He did a quick double-take at Hayley.

Hayley put her hand on the counter. “This is a gorgeous little pub you have.”

“Thanks,” Jamie said. He put one hand on the tap of the nearest draught and leaned against the counter. “I spent so much time here I thought I might as well make myself useful.”

“How’s your knee?” Anna asked.

“Still duffed.”

“Ah. I’m sorry.”

“How did you hurt it?” Hayley said.

“Playing five-a-side football. My own fault. I can’t twist and turn like I used to.”

“I hope it gets better soon and we see you back at the running club.”

“Believe it or not I really miss our Tuesday night hill-sprints.”

“You’re a glutton for punishment then.”

Hayley laughed.

That laugh. It reverberated around the room and in Anna’s head, soothing something within her and making her feel more relaxed. She loved the sound of it.

“I’m taking it you’ve just arrived from somewhere?” Jamie said, glancing over at the bags at the table.

“Yep.” Hayley smiled. “From the US. I’m visiting Anna.”

“Awesome.”

That Hayley would describe her trip like that was a surprise. Wasn’t she here to travel and live her best life? Wasn’t seeing Anna the secondary reason?

“And I’m going to travel around. I love Scotland.”

“Well, I hope you have a great time.”

Anna ordered the same as Hayley and carried their drinks back to their table.

Hayley leant forward and smiled at Anna. “Do you remember that time we drank a bottle of Glenbuinidh?”

Anna could remember it like yesterday. They were in their student flat, in Hayley’s room, on her bed, listening to music and not going out because it was raining and freezing outside. “Yes.”

“You described the taste of every sip. You were so stoked. It was cute.”

Anna felt her brow furrow. Hayley calling her cute was not helpful. “It was the first bottle of Glenbuinidh I’d ever owned. I was excited.”

“We drank the whole thing, didn’t we?”

Anna recalled how they’d eventually taken to drinking straight from the bottle, passing it to each other in turn. Anna had savoured every sip, knowing that it had just come from Hayley’s lips. It was so erotic, and it really shouldn’t have been. It was the first time they’d ever done anything like it. “We did.”

Hayley smiled. “And now you work at Glenbuinidh. I still can’t get over how amazing that is.”

Part of Anna felt like she hadn’t achieved that much with her life compared to Hayley. But she was happy here. She liked her life. That had to count for something, right? “Me neither. You should come in and see the distillery sometime. I can show you my bar.”

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