If Only by A. J. Pine Page A

believe how tired I was.”
    “I’m Duncan,” he says to Noah and Hailey. “I live over there, in Fyfe house, next to me mate, Griffin.”
    God I love his accent.
    “I’m Hailey. I live in Burnett. Lovely to meet you, Duncan.”
    My eyes fix on Noah. “Yes, Duncan is quite lovely , isn’t he?”
    Noah says nothing for a long moment, and his smile falters as soon as I utter the word, my word that Noah turned against me.
    “I’m Noah,” he finally responds, a strange resignation in his voice. “I live in Fyfe, too.”
    Of course he does.
    Taking advantage of knowing our guide, we head to the front of the group. We all took Duncan up on the opportunity for nourishment, so the four of us fight the chill of the morning with a hot Tetley’s tea. I’m grateful for Hailey’s ability to pretty much talk to anyone, it seems, as she dominates the conversation, allowing me to sip my tea in quiet contemplation.
    “So, this might be a stupid question,” she begins, “but aren’t you cold in the kilt?”
    Hailey and Noah walk in line with Duncan, Griffin and I trailing behind them.
    “Aye,” Duncan confirms with a smile. “It’s quite chilly. I only do it for the tours and special occasions.”
    Hailey looks back at me, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. Then she turns back to Duncan.
    “Is it true what they say about what Scottish men wear under their kilts?”
    I roll my eyes, not because I’m annoyed that she asked. I’d actually like confirmation on that answer as well. But I could never, within minutes of meeting someone, get away with asking him whether or not he goes commando.
    Though I can only see the side of his face, I can tell Duncan dons an equally wicked grin. “I guess, if the wind blows strong enough, you’ll find out.”
    Finally, riotous laughter, from all four of us, shatters the awkwardness. I can do this, spend the morning with Griffin and Noah…and Hailey.
    As we descend the hill from the aptly named Hillhead village, we enter what has to be the most beautiful stretch of green I’ve ever seen. Framed on either side with walking paths, the rectangular runway of garden is punctuated with benches and canopied with a forest of trees. I gasp. This is going to be my walk to campus? I don’t think I’m ever going to leave this place. Though the tension seems to have left, I’m still startled when Griffin reaches his empty hand to mine, entwining our fingers. He gives me a gentle squeeze. He feels it, too, the magnificence of this place. Whatever I’m feeling for Noah I have to push away. Griffin is a good guy, not to mention pretty easy on the eyes. I squeeze back as I watch Hailey hook her arm around Noah’s, and I think to myself, enough .
    Since the train I’ve been going over and over that kiss in my head. Talk about being in the moment—nothing mattered but that kiss. The roar of the train, being locked in close quarters—none of it made any difference when Noah put his hands on my cheeks. If Sam could hear my thoughts right now, she’d think I was absolutely insane, mentally torturing myself over a guy I met less than twenty-four hours ago. It would be like me to ruin something fun I could have with Griffin to wait for something that couldn’t have been real despite how real it felt. For two years I’ve been waiting for that something real, and for two years I’ve been alone. Enough. Real doesn’t exist, especially not here.
    As we enter the park, Duncan turns to face the tour group but continues to walk backward, not missing a beat.
    “This is Seaton Park,” he starts. “Once classes begin, this place will be filled with Hillhead residents heading to and from campus. Enjoy this lovely and scenic walk to class or to town. Do not, however, walk the park alone at night. We may be a charming seaside city, but no matter where you are, you’re always safer when you’re with someone else.”
    Duncan’s safety spiel is brief, and he continues on about some of the minor