Page 57 of The Christmas Holiday
Chapter Thirteen
‘Oh. Wow. This so isn’t fine. And what the hell is that smell?’ Hunter put the back of his hand over his nose and mouth, his face screwing up against the unpleasant odour that had permeated into the car. And I hadn’t even opened the door yet. ‘You’re dressed way too nice. They’re all in flip-flops and shorts.’
‘I knew I should have got a taxi.’
‘I had time to kill.’
‘I wouldn’t have got a running commentary from a taxi driver.’
‘I’m just saying…’
‘Well, could you not just say then, please? And you can never dress too nice. It’s called making an effort.’
He turned towards me and dropped his arm from his nose. ‘I didn’t mean it how it sounded. You… you look really nice.’
I took a deep breath, immediately regretting it as I inhaled more ofthe stink. ‘Thank you.’
Marty appeared at the top of the wooden steps up to the restaurant. He gazed out across the water and then recognised the car idling close by, and its occupants.
‘Well, he didn’t stand you up at least. That would have been awkward.’
‘I never thought he would.’
Hunter looked across at me. ‘But someone stood you up.’
‘Like Liv said, it happens all thetime.’
‘And like you said, there’s no excuse these days.’
I shrugged. ‘Doesn’t matter now.’
‘Whoever he was, he’s an idiot.’
I lifted my head from where I’d been checking the strap on my sandal. Hunter was watching me. ‘Nice shoes.’
‘I’m thinking I’m going to lose a heel down the slats of that damn restaurant now. I should have worn flats.’
‘Just get old Marty to toss youover his shoulder. Strong lad like that, shouldn’t be a problem.’
‘That’s more your style, you Neanderthal,’ I said, pulling the door catch.
He grinned at me. ‘You say the nicest things.’
I waved at Marty as I went to close the door.
‘Call me when you need a lift back.’
‘No. I’ll get a taxi.’
‘Mia.’
‘Hunter. Thank you for the lift but now please go.’
He stretchedhis hands on the steering wheel and then curled them around it again. ‘Impossible woman.’
‘Bye!’ I smiled cheerily and slammed the door before heading up the steps to meet Marty.
‘Wow. You look real nice. I’m thinking you’re probably more used to fancier restaurants than this.’ His confidence out on the water earlier was no longer evident. Either the boys were right and he was just playingon this wholesome hometown-boy persona, in which case he was damn good at it. Or he really was that guy. Personally, I had a feeling all of this was real.
