Page 64 of The Christmas Holiday
‘Why? Because you didn’t go to private school, don’t have a trustfund, or wear dresses that cost more than my flat?’
‘All of the above.’
‘That’s exactly why she would pick you.’
‘Novelty value?’
‘No. Honesty value.’ He moved and lay on his back, staring up at the sky. ‘Not that you can’t have all those things and be honest, but there’s no pretension about you, Mia. That’s… all right, yes, a novelty for Liv. But not in the way you meant it.’
‘I guess that’s good then.’
‘It is.’
‘Would have been a nightmare if she’d hated me.’
‘Yeah. That would have made it interesting.’
We lay in silence for a few more minutes until I stretched and sat up. Hunter stayed where he was.
‘How’s the head?’
My hand automatically went to the back of my head and touched it. With him behind me, I could wince in peace.
‘Yeah,better thanks.’
‘You’re still a terrible liar, Mia.’
‘I’m not ly…’ I stopped as Hunter sat up and ran his hand gently around the back of my skull, his fingertips weaving themselves through my hair until they came to rest on the egg I’d recently acquired during a moment of lost coordination and an argument with a slippery rock on a white-water rafting experience.
‘Jesus, Mia,’ he said,softly, ‘that’s a hell of a bump. I really think you ought to tell Liv and Sandy and get checked out.’
I pushed his hand away. ‘I don’t need to get checked out by anyone. I’m perfectly fine. It was just a little bump.’
‘Mia. You hit a rock with the back of your head. There was nothing little about it. I was there.’
‘Whatever. But you are not to tell Olivia and Sandeep! You promisedyou wouldn’t.’
‘Yes. I did, but under duress.’
‘I don’t care what – or who – you’re under so long as you don’t tell them. They’ll fuss and worry, exactly like you’re doing now, when there’s absolutely no need to.’
‘So you’re not still getting headaches?’
‘Umm… no.’
‘Mia!’ he growled at me, ‘this is important! You could have—’
‘Stop it! Why won’t you just leave me alone?’I tried to turn away but Hunter caught my arm.
‘Because I’m worried about you!’
‘Well, don’t! I don’t want you worrying about me. I’m here to do a job. That’s all.’
‘So am I, and if something happens to you and their trip is ruined because you were too damn stubborn and too busy trying to bloody well prove yourself, then that’s on me.’
‘No. It’s not. It’s on me.’ I shook off hishand and stood up. ‘And stop being so dramatic all of the time! I don’t know what the hell happened to you, but sometimes it’s like I don’t know you at all!’
Hunter stood too, gaining the height advantage once again. ‘People change, Mia. At least most people do. Except you, it would seem. You’re still trying to escape the past while keeping yourself firmly wrapped up in it.’
