Page 24 of The Christmas Holiday
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I pushed my sunglasses to the top of my head and rubbed my eyes as we slid back into the rear seat of Jayesh’s car on the way back to the hotel.
‘Long day, huh?’ Hunter commented.
I shoved the notes I’d been casting my eyes over into my bag and leaned back next to him.
‘Very.’
It was lateafternoon and we’d been on the go since first light this morning. The travelling of the day before, the time change and today’s busy schedule suddenly seemed to catch up the moment I sat back in the car.
I slid my eyes to him. As much as I wanted to keep calm and cool and act as though I did this all the time, I couldn’t. I needed to share it with someone and he was the nearest body.
‘It was so amazing, though.’
‘I’m glad you liked it. I thought you might.’
I sat up, turning a little more towards him. ‘Liked it? I loved it! I can’t wait to discover more. Do we have to go back now?’ The thought of perhaps another quick little discovery sent adrenaline rushing through me, giving me a boost of energy.
Hunter took off the baseball cap he’d been wearing and rubbed hishand back and forth quickly over his buzz cut.
‘Yeah. We do. You’re done in.’
I sat up straighter. ‘I am not!’
‘If you say so,’ he said, obviously choosing not to believe a word of it. ‘But I am. And I need a shower and a kip before we meet Liv and Sandy for dinner later, otherwise I’m going to be face down in the starters.’
I plopped back against the car seat. ‘I guess a littlerest does sound nice, although I have some stuff to write up now. And, of course, a bath would be lovely. Is there any chance of me scheduling one of those in, or do we have an incredibly important meeting I don’t yet know about?’
He was cleaning his sunglasses with the corner of his T-shirt and slid his gaze to me, catching the glint in my eye.
‘OK. I guess I deserved that.’
I raisedmy eyebrows in ayeah, you didkind of way.
‘I promise you’re free to do whatever you like once we get back, until we have to meet the others.’
It was hard to avoid doing an eye-roll.
‘What now?’
‘I wasn’t actually asking for permission.’
‘I know you weren’t. I wasn’t giving it.’
‘It’s not yours to give anyway.’
‘I know!’ He flung his hands up showing his tirednessand exasperation. ‘OK, I admit it. Yesterday I did it just to piss you off. I knew you’d be heading straight for the bath, and it amused me to annoy you. I was still getting used to you being here and I let feelings I shouldn’t have get the upper hand.’ He let out a breath. ‘Mia, I didn’t want you on this trip because I was worried that might happen. I pride myself on being professional. It’s whatmy reputation is built on. I thought I could just shut out everything from before but the moment I saw you again in the offices, all the… mess… came back. I was angry all over again and whatever I said, you took the wrong way.’
‘So, it’s my fault, basically?’
He gave me a look that didn’t seem entirely to disagree.
‘No. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that yesterday I was abit of a dick. We did need to go over things but I could have done that with you on the plane, or later, when you’d finished your bath. But I didn’t. I couldn’t help it. I know that’s a lame excuse but it’s happened now and I apologise.’
I chewed my lip, not sure if he’d finished.
‘I had a good time today. It went well, and being with someone like you…’
