Lachlan was a lot of things; confident, witty, determined and a self proclaimed ladies man with a vocabulary swilling with innuendos. One thing Lachlan rarely shown was his ability to be kind and selfless - it did not particularly mix well with the upkeep of his aspiring bad boy persona. Yet there he was, buried in waiting the tables that should have been mine, his leather jacket discarded in the back area and an apron fastened around his waist.

The customers were unrelenting and the previously quiet morning had quickly morphed into a sea of people clambering over one another to get to the bar. We had agreed to share the work load of my shift but as I approached each new table, Lachlan jumped in first to take over any orders, ushering me away to wipe down an empty table or complete other trivial tasks so he could complete the bulk of the work.

I could see his skin was glistening with sweat as he continued to whirl around The Pegasus, laughing and joking with customers as he catered to their needs, his emerald eyes bright and friendly as he reassured each table, 'Give me a shout if you need anything.' Even Malcolm and Niall were finding it difficult to find something to do and when they did, Lachlan had already almost finished the job.

In truth, it was as if I had entered topsy turvy land and Lachlan was the mayor. This side of him was always hidden so well and I could feel my lips drawing up into a smile as he eagerly retrieved one of the high chairs for a budding family and helped the young couple settle their toddler into the unfamiliar seat with cooing words and his dashing grin.

The little girl stared up at Lachlan with starry eyes, her missing front tooth visible as she beamed with delight and he pointed to his own teeth while he indulged her story about the tooth fairy with enthusiasm. I was in the middle of drying and polishing a pint glass when Phil clicked his tongue beside me.

"He's a natural. Real people person isn't he?" he said with a warm and hearty laugh, "Don't let him take over any more shifts or you could find yourself out of a job!"

"I don't plan on it," I said, still smiling, "He was only supposed to help me today, not take over."

"It has done you some good taking a break, Louise." Phil looked at me, one of his large hands resting on my shoulder for a moment. "You've got some colour back in your face already. Try not to push yourself too hard again."

As the busy period dwindled, my shift (or, Lachlan's shift, it seemed) was nearing its end, with only a couple of minutes remaining as I finished washing the newest batch of dirty glasses. Lachlan entered the kitchen, removing his apron and throwing it on the nearby counter as he walked over. His black curls were unruly and wild as he ran his fingers through the side of his hair then slipped his arms through his leather jacket.

"You are quite the trooper," I said, "You'll have to be careful, Phil is eager to hire you now."

He shrugged and grinned. "Anything to help. Plus, if I work here permanently it could be a great pick up spot for me. Quick question, would I be able to give out free drinks?"

"There is the Lachlan I know. Always in it for the ladies!"

"Just the one lady, actually."

His expression had softened and he smiled before clearing his throat. I moved my hands away from the sink and rubbed my hands dry on a towel as Lachlan leaned against the wall.

"Will you tell me what happened with him?" he asked.

"He..."

Without warning Phil burst into the kitchen through the swing doors with a sharp bang and a wide smile. "Lachlan!" he boomed, "You were a big help today, lad."

"No problem, Phil. I don't mind," Lachlan said.

"Well if you want a position, let me know." Phil patted him on the back as he swooped past.

"I will, thanks." Lachlan smiled and Phil nodded his head in response before striding out of the room.

I picked up my bag and by instinct curled my fingers around my phone and lifted it from its pocket. No notifications. My heart ached in my chest and I sucked in a deep breath of disappointment. Zach had not attempted to contact me with excuses nor any form of explanation. After his engagement was so sweetly announced by his old crone of a mother he had been completely silent and no where to be found. Noah too.

Four years of waiting for him. It all seemed so pointless to find out someone else had entered his life and he had gotten engaged. To have him turn up for my birthday was such a bitter sweet sensation and although I was overjoyed to see him, all of the pain I had bottled up when I moved away was released too, free to sink its teeth into the life I had built without him.

It was a joke. He was the one who asked me to wait for him. I held up my end and it was crushing to know he had not. I wondered if that was that - he had been found out and fled with his tail between his legs, never to be seen by me again. I hoped it was not true, that he loved and cared for me. That he had always loved me. That this was all an elaborate miscommunication somehow, that it was just the old crone and her lies but I saw it. In her beady little eyes, her smug expression and Zach's horrified reaction of being found out. It was all true.

"Lou?"

Thwap.

Abruptly torn from my inner thoughts, I whipped my head up to see curious green eyes staring at me and it took me a moment to fully register Lachlan had gently flicked my forehead with his thumb and index finger.

His kind smile stretched up to reveal his dimples. "You were in a world of your own there, lass."

"Sorry," I sighed, "I'm really tired."

"I know, Lockie," he said, " Can you imagine how tired you'd be now if you hadn't let me help you today?"

"You're right, thank you. I really appreciated your help."

Lachlan "Don't mention it. Now come on, get your coat. I'll walk you home."

The walk home was quiet and relaxed. Lachlan and I were mostly in comfortable silence, an unspoken agreement between us that conversation was not what either of us needed in that moment. I watched him as he sauntered along beside me, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket and his brows lowered over his eyes. He seemed...different. More mature, almost. I could not put my finger on it. We reached my flat and I gave him a small smile.

A cloud of smoke floated from his mouth toward me and I braced myself for the smell to reach my nostrils. I was surprised when I inhaled the scent of sweet strawberries. I moved my gaze to the source and Lachlan rolled his eyes.

"Have you quit cigarettes?" I asked in disbelief, "Is that a vape?"

"Aye, Lockie," he said with a laugh, "Well, I'm trying to quit. This isn't so bad. Makes a whole lot more bloody smoke, sorry - vapour - than a cig does though."

"Your grandmother is going to be jumping for joy!"

"If she could manage it without injuring herself I'm sure she would," he said as he had a few more puffs before returning it to his pocket and we were approaching my flat.

"So do you think Brave will want to see you again after what happened today?" I asked as I retrieved my keys from my bag.

"Who, Naomi?" He shook his head, then rubbed his jaw as if reliving her palm swiping across his face. "I think that ship has well and truly sailed, don't you think?"

"Wow, Lachlan. I think you have finally met your match. A woman who does not fall head over heels as soon as you switch on your charms. She's a keeper."

"Maybe I have met my match, Lockie." His eyes locked on to mine accompanied with a smile. "So anyway, are you going to tell me what happened with him? Zach, I mean."

The way he said his name was full of distaste and he involuntarily frowned as he did so. I sighed. I suppose he would end up finding out eventually but the thought of speaking about it made a knot creep up the back of my throat.

"He's engaged."

"What?" 

"He got engaged," I croaked, the fat tears rolling down my cheeks. It had finally sunk in. Really sunk in. "To another woman. I haven't seen or heard from him since I found out. He just left. He left me again. He didn't wait."

 "Oh, Lockie, c'mere lass. Don't cry." Lachlan cooed as he drew me into a warm embrace. A soft kiss pressed against my temple and he let me collapse against his chest as I sobbed into the night.