She had photographed many men but this one took the cake. This was her first trip to Scotland for a photo shoot for the fashion magazine she worked for. She had never seen a man in a kilt before but this guy looked incredible in the traditional garb. He wore it extremely well. And those smoldering eyes and rugged looks didn’t hurt.
She willed herself to remain professional and just do the job at hand. However, she couldn’t help wishing that she could exchange places with the glamorous woman standing beside him. Perhaps, she could ask the woman to take a photo of her with him after the shoot and…
Don’t be silly, she chided herself. You are here to do a job. Just do it.
She continued clicking away and was relieved when it was over. She was packing up her gear when he joined her. She tried not to give away the fact that she was as nervous as a schoolgirl with a crush and smiled sedately.
“Callum,” he said with that Scottish lilt that was as disarming as his smile.
She held out her hand. “Holly.” He clasped it in firm but warm handshake. She felt a bolt of electricity course through her body. Their eyes met and held for what seemed like eternity. He was holding her hand a lot longer than was necessary, not that she minded, of course, but she could feel her face grow hot. He seemed to realize it too and released her hand, almost apologetically.
“Is this your first time in Edinburgh?” he asked, after clearing his throat.
“It’s my first time in Scotland.”
“How long are you here for?”
“I’m here for another two weeks. I’m here for the International Fashion Festival and after that I’m off to Glasgow to check out the boutiques. Then it’s back to London.”
“If you’re not busy tomorrow, I’d like to take you out for lunch and then on a tour around the city.”
She couldn’t believe it. He wanted to take her out to lunch and show her around Edinburgh. “I’d like that,” she said. “I’ll get a chance to try your national dish.”
He laughed. “I’ll take you to best place where they serve Haggis,” he promised.
“It’s a deal.” Not only was he handsome but he was really friendly and easygoing. She felt very relaxed with him and was looking forward to seeing him the next day. She wrote down the name of the hotel where she was staying and handed it to him. “Bye.”
“See you tomorrow, Holly.” Oh, how good her name sounded in the Scottish accent, she thought as she walked away. She made a mental note to thank Margo for assigning her to the photo shoot here in Scotland instead to the one in Paris.
Sources: Culture Trip; Edinburgh International Fashion Festival
Notes to Women 