Page 107 of The Christmas Holiday
Liv beamed and started to walk away. ‘Oh!’ she said, turning back. ‘And don’t forget to let me know how… you know…’ She jabbed her finger in Hunter’sdirection a couple of times. ‘How you get on there.’
I smiled. ‘Will do.’
Liv did an excited little bounce on the spot before turning. Sandeep gave a shrug and then laughed, the love he had for his new wife evident in every expression.
‘OK. Good thing that wasn’t awkward or anything,’ Hunter said, tipping his head towards me and avoiding the not terribly well disguised looks of interestbeing thrown our way from those who had heard Liv’s request about keeping her updated.
We said our goodbyes and made the short cab journey back to our own hotel.
‘It’s hardly like you to be shy,’ I said, picking up the conversation, ‘Your latest conquests are usually all over the gossip mags,’ I replied as we made our way to the lifts.
‘Conquests?’
I shrugged as I pressed the callbutton with my knuckle. It pinged and I stepped in, followed by Hunter, the doors closing softly behind him.
‘For your information, I don’t make conquests.’
‘OK.
‘Forgive me, but there didn’t seem a whole lot of conviction behind that “OK”.’
‘It’s just a word.’
‘Just a word. Like gigolo?’ The smile teased at his lips.
‘Oh bloody hell. You’re never going to let me live thatone down, are you? I told you. It just slipped out. And to be fair, you kind of are one.’
‘I am not! You know, you should never believe half the stuff you read in the media, Mia.’
I shook my head at the tease and watched the numbers on the display. It was easier than watching Hunter right now. We arrived at our floor and walked slowly towards our rooms, partly because we were both tiredand partly because my feet were protesting, but the shoes were so gorgeous I still didn’t want to take them off just yet.
‘Your shoes are killing you, are they?’
‘Yep.’
‘So take them off.’
‘Huh!’ I said, reaching my door and beeping the keycard. ‘I bet you say that to all the girls.’ I opened the door a little and leant against it, lifting my gaze to meet his.
‘Is that partof what’s bothering you? My so-called reputation these days?’
I took a deep breath, then let it out as I contemplated the question. ‘No. I don’t think so.’
‘Will you tell me what is?’
I dropped my gaze from him, staring down instead at the black-patent ankle-strap shoes that had given me such pleasure, and some pain, this evening. Hunter’s hand caught under my chin and gently tippedit so I was looking back up at him.
‘You wanted me to talk to you once. I know it took me longer than it should have but I’m asking you to do the same now.’
‘I’m not sure what to say, Hunter.’
The flicker across his face said more than any words could have. He replaced it almost instantly with one of his beautiful smiles, but I knew what it covered.
‘It’s OK, Mia. Like I said,I had no expectations from you. It was something I needed to find out. Once and for all.’ He bent and kissed me on the cheek before letting his hand drop and taking the few steps to his own room. The key beeped and he pushed the door, disappearing inside while I was left standing outside my own. Questions raced around my brain. All the questions I’d wanted to ask him, and yet nothing had come out.I’d just stood there. Letting him walk away. Again.
