Page 49
Sam shook his head. “I’ll get you the dosh for the light. Then we’re quits.” He smiled. “I won’t take no for an answer.”
Arran looked at the cash in his hand for a second, then set his drink down to reach out and hug Sam. “I appreciate this. Might even be close to admitting that you’re not a complete tosser.”
The comfort of Arran’s hug infused his soul, and Sam laughed as he released him. “Wow. Praise indeed.”
Arran pocketed the money. “You’re getting all this back, as soon as I’m on my feet.” He shot Sam a smile. “By the way, what’s the deal with Maya? You guys sure don’t look like people who hate each other.”
Sam glanced at the tiled floor. “I think we’ve found some common ground.” He met Arran’s eyes. “She’s a lot more fun than I remember. And friendlier. And kinder.”
Arran raised his eyebrows. “Basically, all the things you thought she was, before she said that she’d never be interested in an unambitious ski instructor who didn’t want to leave Glenavie?”
“Yeah, pretty much,” Sam muttered. The words still stung. Even from someone else’s mouth.
Arran shook his head. “It was a bit weird, though.”
Sam sipped his tea in an attempt to take away the bad taste. “What was?”
“It just . . . didn’t seem like something Maya would say.”
Sam shrugged, setting down his mug and turning to head back to the studio because talking about this still hurt. “Well, she did. Her actual words were that she was going to study accountancy, because ski instructing wasn’t a real job. But the past is the past.” Something niggled at the back of his mind as he walked along the hallway, but he ignored it, keen not to go over painful memories.
He entered the studio, followed by Arran. “All set, Maya?”
“Yeah,” she said, seeming distracted by the paintings. She pointed at one of the landscapes. “I like this one best.”
His heart rate stepped up a notch. She’d singled out his favorite. He would’ve bought it by now if he’d had enough cash. There was no way in hell he’d let Arran give it to him for mates’ rates. “I love that one.”
Maya turned to meet his eyes. “You do?”
Sam nodded. “I know the spot it was painted from. I took a photo of it for Arran because it’s my favorite view in Glenavie.”
She looked back at the painting, smiling.
He glanced across the room at where Arran was tidying some equipment, then shifted closer to Maya. “I’m not surprised you like it. It is a night scene after all. The moon and stars are really clear.”
As she turned to face him, something was shining in her liquid brown eyes. It made his breath catch.
She cleared her throat. “I’d love to see the real view. If you wouldn’t mind pointing it out sometime.”
Sam’s mouth went dry, and he swallowed. “Sure.”
“Oh,” Arran said loudly, crossing the room to his desk. “I nearly forgot.” He made a show of opening a drawer and lifting a ledger, then pulled out the money Sam had just handed over.
Sam frowned. What’s he doing?
Arran opened the book and picked up a pen. “I need to make note of this cash that Sam’s given me. I like to keep track of it all so I know exactly how much I’m indebted to him. Can’t have him lording it over me for too long.” He flashed them a smile and scribbled in the ledger.
Maya lifted her gaze to Sam’s and raised her eyebrows.
Sam didn’t know how to react, so he just shrugged. “Okay, let’s get going.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t want to hold up my chauffeur for longer than necessary.”
He led them out of the studio, and Maya nudged his arm as they moved down the hallway. “Chauffeur, eh? I hope this means you’ll be providing me with one of those jaunty little caps. And some aviator shades.”
“I’ll get you some for Christmas,” Sam replied, shooting her a grin. “It’ll be a good look for you.”
They left the house, and Sam gave Arran a quizzical expression as he hugged him goodbye. Arran winked in response, waving as they climbed into the car.
Maya glanced over as she pulled away down the road. “What was that flashing the cash and writing in the ledger all about?”
