Chapter 1
Blair
It's three in the morning, I look over at my best friend, and fellow history major, who is still asleep, and wonder how she can be sleeping at a time like this. I mean, we leave for Scotland in a few hours, how exciting is that? I came across this opportunity through Study Abroad a while ago and through a lot of persuasion, and some financial assistance from my father, she agreed to sign up so I wouldn't have to go alone.
My parents are not happy about any decision I have made about my future. They didn't want me to major in history and it was even worse that I minored in education. In their eyes, my choice of career is below them. You see my father is a very well-known real estate tycoon in Napa California. He and my mother live the high life. My brother Zac and I have grown up with that life, Zac however, seems to be more like my parents, I am the outcast. I don't care so much about money or fame; I want to do something that enriches other's lives and just be happy with what I have. My parents are disgusted by that idea. My father expects Zac and I to follow in his footsteps and work for the family business. He doesn't care if it's really what we want or not. Zac however has done just that. He wants nothing more than to please our parents. He is their golden child. I've heard it my whole life, "Blair, what is wrong with you, why can't you be more like your brother?" Luckily my grandmother, who is more like a mother to me, threatened my father with his inheritance, or he wouldn't have paid for my college. She is also the one who got him to pay for my Scotland adventure, she forced him to help pay for Sofie to go as well.
Ah yes Scotland. I can't wait for the next year of my life. This is the experience of a lifetime, and I am not going to waste a single minute while I'm there. Yeah, my parents didn't approve of this idea either but with my grandparents on my side, I couldn't lose. I love history and Scotland is a part of my history, so what better place to go. My dad's family has Scottish roots, and that is something I would like to learn more about. My grandfather has told me many stories about his Scottish family, and it has always drawn me in. You see, my grandfather likes history as much as I do. Him and my grandmother were over the moon when I told them that I had an opportunity to go to Scotland to study. They encouraged me to apply.
"Sofie, it's time to get up. Come on we need to head to the airport."
She jumped up out of her bed, "Oh my god Blair, we are going to Scotland." We held hands and did a little dance in all our excitement. We may be in our early twenties, but at times we still act very much like children.
Our flight has an overnight layover in Dublin and from there, we fly into Glasgow. At the airport, we will meet up with three other students who are also going to Scotland through Study Abroad. Sofie and I are the only two history majors.
The flight was long, but I was too excited to sleep. Me and another one of the students, Eric, talked. He was attending Columbia University in New York. He was nice and very handsome. He seemed interested in me, and we exchanged numbers but I'm not sure if we would be a good match.
When we made it to our rooms in Dublin, I was starting to feel the tiredness creep in. I hadn't slept in two nights and my body was ready for sleep.
As soon as walked into our room Sofie started, "So, you and Eric seemed to hit it off."
"It's not like that Sofie. He was just someone to talk to on the plane since you slept practically the whole time."
"I don't know. He seemed pretty interested in you."
"Yeah well, maybe, but he's not my type."
"How do you know? You probably don't even know what your type is. You never give any of them a chance."
"Don't start Sofie. I'm tired and want to go to bed."
"I'm just saying. He really seems to like you and he is hot, so maybe you should give him a chance."
"Sofie, he lives in New York, I live in California, how would that even work?"
"Well, you do have a whole year in Scotland, a lot can change in a year."
"I doubt that will change. I mean yes, I want to leave Napa, but New York is not where I want to move to. And according to him, he doesn't plan on leaving New York so that's all there is to it."
"Like I said a lot can change in a year. Besides I want you to open your mind up to new possibilities. I love you to death but let's face it, you suck when it comes to relationships."
"I do not. I just haven't found someone I am compatible with."
"How can you find someone you're compatible with when you won't give anyone a chance?"
"I'm done with this conversation. I'm going to sleep."
"Yeah, because you know I am right. Every boy who has tried to be with you, you run away from. Look at James."
"Whatever Sofie. James was an egotistical jerk, and you know it."
"Okay you're right, bad example. What about Matthew?"
"Okay Matthew was too nice. He had to be up my ass twenty-four seven. I felt like he was smothering me."
"Yes, he was a bit of a momma's boy, but he wasn't all that bad. What about Eli?"
"Eli was great and yes, I could have seen a future with him, but he broke up with me remember, I had nothing to do with that one."
"Yeah, that's right. Why did he break up with you? You two were cute together."
"I wish I knew. He cut me off completely, blocked me on all his social media accounts and everything."
"Wow, that's weird."
"Yeah, no explanation at all. I tried to talk to him at school about it since he blocked me on everything, but he wouldn't give me the time of day."
"What the hell?"
"Yeah. So, goodnight Sofie."
"Goodnight."
I was so happy when we landed in Glasgow, Eric was about to drive me insane. Sofie was right, he definitely likes me, but I don't feel the same way about him. I told him we could be friends but that's it. I am regretting giving him my number. He was flirtier today and it got on my nerves. Why do guys do that? They come-on way to strong and for me that is a turn off.
We took a cab to our hotel. For it to be June here, the weather was nice, very different from California. Tomorrow, Sofie and I will travel to Inverness where we will be living for the next year. We have a few days to get adjusted and familiarize ourselves with the city, then next week our studies begin. We had the option of coming in June or August and we chose to come for the summer because they were offering classes we wouldn be able to take another time. Plus that would give us time to learn more about the area before our heavy workload started.
We spent the whole day going around the city and checking out all the little shops. We had the most amazing lunch at a cute little restaurant called Fig and Thistle. The whole place was amazing and beautiful, and the people were all so friendly, though sometimes hard to understand.
Later on in the evening, we headed to check out the local nightlife. We ended up at a packed-out pub called The Malt. People were drinking and dancing and living it up. I've never been much into the party scene, but Sofie sure is.
We made our way through the throngs of people to the bar. There was a buff looking dude behind the bar talking to the bartender. It took us a few minutes to get his attention but when Sofie demanded a drink, both men's eyes fell on us. The big man whispered to the bartender and walked over to us. "What can I get you bonnie lass?"
"A tall drink of you."
"Oh my god Sofie, really! You will have to excuse my friend. She's lost her mind."
He chuckled, "Where you from?"
"California."
"Long way from home."
"Yeah." The whole time he was talking, he never took his eyes off me. It's like I was the only person in the room.
"So, what'll it be?"
"Whatever you suggest."
He grinned like he had just won a prize. "Whiskey it is." He grabbed a tall dark bottle off the shelf. "This here is the best whiskey money can buy. Take a dram of that."
I tilted my glass back letting the brown liquid pour down my throat. It wasn't bad at all. I can see why people like it so much.
I looked back at the man who was eyeing me curiously. "So, what you think?"
"Not bad."
"Not bad. That's it?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"I dunno. Something more than not bad."
I didn't know what the man wanted from me. "I don't know what to say. I'm no expert on whiskey."
"Here take another dram. This time concentrate on the flavor. Tell me what you taste."
"Why does it matter?"
"Aye, just do it. It's not gonna kill you prissy."
I rolled my eyes, tilted the second glass back, and took in the brown liquid once more. I tried my hardest to pick up the flavors. I noted it was smooth and smoky, with a little fruitiness at the end.
"Well?"
"It's smoky and fruity, very smooth."
He grinned. "Like I said the best whiskey around. Here drink another."
"I think you are trying to get me drunk."
He let out a deep throaty laugh. "Aye."
I laughed at his antics and knocked it back.
"What's your name lass?"
"Blair." I pointed at Sofie who was looking my way grinning. "And this is Sofie. We just moved here." Why I told him that information was beyond me, must be the alcohol.
"You moved here? Really?"
"Yes. We are spending the next year here with study abroad."
"Oh, so you're in school."
"We are in our last year of college."
"I see. Well, it was nice meeting you ladies."
"Wait I didn't catch your name."
"Rory, Rory MacDonald." He bowed like we were royalty.
"Do you live around here? Will we see you again?"
"Aye. I don't live too far away. If it's meant to be, our paths will cross. Now, I bid you good day."
With that he walked away. "Girl what was that?"
"What was what?"
"Please, don't play dumb. You were into him, and he was definitely into you. Hell, it was like you were the only one in the room."
"No. You are imagining things."
"Whatever. I know what I just witnessed."
I have to admit, I was curious about the man. It was like we had a connection, and he was definitely gorgeous, like no one I had ever met before. He was rugged and rough and oh how I hoped I would see him again.
