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Smiling, he nudged her arm. “One didn’t want to assume.”
She blew out a breath. “I am fully invested in this mother, so assume away. What about the after event?”
“All set. We’ve booked the top room at the Tavern. It went down well last year.” He smiled. “People were more generous with the raffle ticket uptake in a premises with an alcohol license, compared to when we used to have it in the ski café.”
“Clever,” Maya said, lifting her coffee to her mouth. “Sounds like we’re on track?”
“Yeah,” Sam replied, realizing that it was pretty much sorted, now that the headache of the missing prize was solved. Plus, it was even better with the brand-new, massive top prize. He couldn’t resist leaning over to kiss her cheek.
She raised her eyebrows, and he thought he detected a little blush appearing on her face. “What was that for?”
“General awesomeness.” He gave her a wink, and the color seemed to heighten on her cheeks. She’s so adorable.
Maya cleared her throat. “Is it okay if I take this coffee and go use your office for a bit? I want to have another look at Ben’s accounts, and I don’t like doing it in the staff room with all the comings and goings and potential reading over my shoulder.”
“Of course. But you shouldn’t be staying on after your lesson. Why don’t you head off and relax? You deserve it.” Guilt needled him that he’d gotten her roped into all this extra work. Especially when she was worried about her own problems and family tension with her sister and father.
She smiled. “Nah. I’m nearly done, and I want to get it finished so that Ben can get it off his worry list.”
Sam eyed her, his hope rising. “Off the worry list—as in, there’s nothing to worry about?”
Maya waggled her hand to and fro. “Hopefully nothing big. I think he’s right about the miscalculation and that the resort owes more than anticipated.”
Sam’s heart plummeted, and it must’ve shown on his face, because she took his hand. Her touch created a soothing sensation, which counteracted the sinking feeling.
“Don’t panic.” She gave him a squeeze. “I don’t think the damage will be much worse than Ben had originally been told, and should be within means.”
Sighing with relief, he squeezed back and held on to her fingers, letting them entwine with his and appreciating how her touch made his skin come alive. “When will you know for sure?”
Maya rubbed her thumb over the tips of his fingers, nudging up his heart rate. “Today, I reckon. I’m on a mission to get it done this afternoon. Then you can both get your beauty sleep.”
She let go of his hand to stand, and he immediately felt the loss of her touch.
“Are you saying that I need beauty sleep?” he said, flashing her a smile.
Maya eyed him as she lifted her cup to take with her. “Nah. You’re pretty cute.”
He expected her to do her usual jokey wink, but she didn’t. Color streaked her cheeks in the brightest flush yet as she walked off.
Heading into the back foyer, Sam placed his skis into a locker and switched his ski boots for snow boots. Then he went upstairs to see how Maya was getting on.
Cat popped into his mind with an accompanying sinking feeling, and he wondered how long she was going to continue to avoid him after he’d messaged saying they needed to talk. He wanted to discuss his suspicions regarding her going through his phone, plus deleting texts, but she was ghosting him. The problem was she had a habit of deflecting any heat off herself and onto him, and he now realized she was rather skilled at it. Normally he’d end up apologizing and feeling like the bad guy.
Shoving Cat out of his brain, he gave a quick knock and opened his office door.
Maya glanced up, and meeting her gaze made every nerve in his body spark.
“Any joy, Superaccountant?” He closed the door and took in her big smile as he walked over.
“Yep. Just finishing up. We’d better get Ben, it’s looking good.”
A rush of relief buoyed his spirits. “Like you thought?”
“A little better, actually.”
Her smile widened as he gestured for her to stand.
“What is it?” she asked, getting to her feet.
