Page 14 of The Christmas Holiday
‘The one you wanted to take on this trip. Instead of me.’
He ran a hand over his short crop. ‘I already told you she’s not my girlfriend any more. She’s just a really good journalist.’
‘And I’m not. Thanks. I guess all the support you gave me before was just a load of—’
He snappedhis head up. ‘What happened between us was a long time ago and anything I said then is completely irrelevant today.’ His voice was low but tight, and I could see a muscle flickering in his jaw.
‘Right. Yes, obviously. But if you’re going to crap all over my work, I’d at least like to know what it is that you object to about it.’
‘You’re inexperienced out in the field. Liv and Sandy aregood friends and they’re excited about this trip. I don’t want it cocked up. That’s all.’
‘Thanks.’
‘You’re the one that asked.’
‘Olivia likes my stuff and my boss thinks I can do it, so what makes you a better judge than both of them? Just because you’re in demand and doing fantastically in your own career doesn’t give you the right to shit over everyone else!’
Having to keepour argument in whispered tones was as frustrating as hell because what I actually wanted to do was completely let rip at him.
He stuck a hand out and yanked my chair closer. ‘Unlike some people, I would never do that and I don’t appreciate being accused of it.’
‘If that’s a dig at me, then fine! You think what you want, Hunter. I’m sorry you were hurt, I really am, and yes, it probablywould have been better if we’d never had to see each other again, but here we are. You got your chance and your big break. I’m not expecting this to lead to anything like the giddy heights you’ve achieved – something I’m thrilled for you about, by the way, as impossible as I’m sure you find that to believe. But I want to do this and I know I can do a really good job, even if you have zero confidencein the situation. All I’m asking is for you not to keep trying to undermine me at every single opportunity. And when this is done, you can go back to your life, and jet off on the next adrenaline-fuelled, highly regarded assignment, and I’ll go back to doing what I do. It’s pretty unlikely you’ll ever have to have anything to do with me again. If this works out, and I actually get a shot at traveland have to team up with a photographer, you’re always going to be able to veto working with someone you don’t want to – i.e. me – so it’s never going to be an issue.’
I closed my eyes for a moment, swallowed, and then looked up into his face. ‘I know you hate me, Hunter. And I can’t do anything to change that. But if you give me a chance, I might at least be able to change your professionalopinion of me.’
His hand was still gripping the chair, the knuckles pale through his tan. I’d always loved his hands. The long, strong fingers that would curl around mine and hold gently but firmly. It had made me feel like he would never let me go. And he hadn’t. I was the one that had let go.
‘Fine,’ he said eventually, relaxing his fingers on the chair. ‘You do your thing, I’ll do mine,and then it’s done.’
I nodded, looking for a hint of warmth in the chill blue of his eyes and finding none. A quiet buzzing began to intrude. Hunter broke the gaze and leant back. Reaching into a side pocket on his trousers, he drew out a smartphone, packed in a similar ruggedised cover to the ugly one I used. Glancing at the screen, his mouth curved and he answered, a softness in his voicethat hadn’t been there a moment ago.
‘Hi.’ He pushed himself up from the chair and took the phone call out of my hearing.
I watched him walk away, one hand on the phone, the other shoved in his pocket. He looked relaxed and calm. The tension that had stiffened his shoulders a few moments ago dissipated and, as his gentle laugh travelled over to me, I couldn’t help but wonder who was onthe other end of the phone, making him show that easy, incredibly sexy smile. He caught me looking and I quickly tilted my head away, feigning interest in the headline of a discarded paper on the table next to me. From the corner of my eye, I saw him turn his back to me more as he leant on the wall and continued his call.
I really had no doubt that I could do this job. As Hunter’s behaviourshowed, when I did something, I did it thoroughly.
***
We settled into our seats and accepted the smiles and hospitality from the cabin crew as we got comfortable. Hunter was garnering a little more hospitality than most of the other passengers from one particular cabin-crew member – something he seemed to be utterly enjoying. His eyes drifted past her momentarily and I quickly lookedaway, hoping he hadn’t seen me watching the little tableau play out.
Hunter had always caught women’s attention. It was hard not to when you looked like that. But he’d never seemed entirely comfortable with it before. He’d always been a fairly confident guy. In his business, you had to be. But when it came to being chatted up, there had always been that little hint of awkwardness, just thetiniest amount, but entirely natural. It had been kind of adorable. But it was clear that had gone completely now. Now the confidence had spread and he’d completely embraced everything he had going for him, in all aspects, and was making them pay for him. Which I guess was fair enough. Lorelei had done the same thing and I admired the hell out of her for doing it. So why not Hunter?
He gavea full-wattage smile to the stewardess as she handed him an extra pillow and then proceeded to shove it in the small of his back.
‘All right?’ he asked.
‘Yes, thank you.’
‘First time in business class?’
I gave him a look.
‘Now what?’
‘I may not have won a Pulitzer but if you could at least try not to be quite so condescending, it would be greatly appreciated.’
His mouthset in a grim line. ‘I was just trying to make conversation, Mia. If you want to take it the wrong way, then that’s up to you. You always were pretty good at that. I guess not everything changes.’
