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The Ex-Mas Holidays

Page 82

by Zoe Allison

Eventually, she glanced over her shoulder, and spotted Brodie at the bar. “Back in a sec,” she told the others, and got up to make her way over.

“You made it,” she said as she approached.

Brodie kissed her cheek. “Sorry I’m so late, couldn’t get away. Looks like it went well?”

“It was awesome. All went smoothly. No broken bones, which is a bonus.”

“Absolutely,” Brodie said, clinking his bottle with hers. “What’s next for you? Are you staying on at the resort?”

Maya pursed her lips. “Not sure. I need to assess the situation.”

“Sounds very precise.” He shot her a smile.

She shrugged. “I’m an accountant by trade. We’re a precise bunch.”

“Good point.” Brodie lifted his gaze behind her. “Here comes the man of the moment.”

Maya turned just as Sam drew level with her, circling her shoulders and kissing her cheek.

She sensed that he was a little unsteady as she put her arm around his waist. “All right, Leonard?”

“Yep.” He gave her a squeeze, glancing at Brodie. “Hey, Brodie.”

Maya might have been imagining it, but it seemed like there was an edge to Sam’s voice.

“Congrats,” Brodie said, flashing him a smile. “I hear the day was a success.”

“S’all down to my savior, here,” Sam replied, tugging Maya closer into his side. He might not have been slurring before, but he was now.

“I don’t know about that,” Maya said. “It would have come off, with or without me. You’d gotten most of it done by the time I came on board.”

Sam’s words ran together, threaded into one long string by the alcohol. “But it wouldn’t have been as good without your grand prize.”

He gave her another squeeze.

Brodie nodded. “I can’t believe you got those tickets, Maya. They’re like gold dust.”

Maya smiled. “What can I say? I’ve got the contacts.”

Brodie laughed, and Sam brought her in to kiss her forehead, swaying a little.

Brodie raised his eyebrows.

Maya glanced at Sam. His eyes were glazed. “Are you a little tipsy, perchance?”

Sam held his thumb and index finger up, indicating a tiny amount. “A wee bit.”

Brodie smiled. “He deserves to celebrate.” He took a drink. “Have you two worked together awhile?”

“No,” Maya said, looking at Sam. “What’s it been? Few weeks?”

Sam frowned, his features taking on the expression more slowly than if he were sober. “Yeah, but we worked together before. When we were teenagers.”

Maya nodded, lifting her drink to her lips.

“Is that how you first met?” Brodie asked.

Sam shook his head, swaying away from Maya and then back again with the movement. “We were at school together,” he said as Maya sipped her drink. “Then we worked together. And then”—he took a big, exaggerated breath—“she broke my heart in this very bar. But I’ve forgiven her for that now.” Sam pulled her in again to kiss her forehead.