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Maya opened her mouth, then closed it again. “I’m really sorry, Triple B, but I wasn’t listening.”
Ben raised his eyebrows, then followed the direction of her gaze over to where she was borderline staring at Sam again. “Oh, I see.”
Maya blew her fringe out of her eyes. “See what?”
Ben smiled, shaking his head. “It’s about time something happened between you guys. You’re worse than bloody Ross and Rachel off Friends.”
“Shh. He might hear you. Nothing’s happened between us. He only split with his girlfriend yesterday. I’m giving him some space.”
“For goodness’ sake, woman,” Ben said, glancing back at where Sam was now borderline staring at Maya. “The guy clearly wants the opposite of space where you’re concerned. He wants you all up in his personal space ASAP.”
“B Double B, you need to shut it now and tell me what you were saying. You know, when I wasn’t listening,” Maya said, working hard not to glance back over at Sam for the millionth time in five minutes.
Ben rolled his eyes, then turned and waved Sam over.
“What’re you doing?” Maya whispered.
“Don’t panic. The thing you weren’t listening to might involve him, so you both might as well not listen to me at the same time.”
Sam arrived, moving around Ben to stand next to Maya, his hand practically brushing against hers. “What’s up?”
“Unbelievable sexual tension, that’s what,” Ben muttered.
Maya’s eyes widened.
“What?” Sam said.
“Nothing,” Ben replied. “Right. I’ve got an American tourist who wants some one-to-one lessons. She’s requested, and I quote, ‘either the cool mixed-race girl with the dark hair or the hot guy with the beard.’ So, which of you wants to do it?”
Maya started laughing before she could answer, and Sam shot her a grin.
“Maya,” Ben said. “Is that an offer?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged, still smiling. “I can do it. Unless it clashes with my classes.”
“Oh, wait,” Ben said, checking his phone. “Good point. The times she’s asked for do clash . . . but Sam can do it.” He looked up. “That okay?”
“Yeah, fine.” Sam shifted a little closer to Maya, the back of his hand touching hers and making her shiver.
Maya glanced at him. “You’re a pushover. You need to learn to say no.”
He shot her a smile. “So do you.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “I need a coffee.”
He went to head back inside, and Sam called after him. “When does she start?”
“This afternoon,” Ben replied over his shoulder. “She’ll be here in an hour, name’s Emma. I’ll send you the rest of the timetable.”
“In an hour?” Maya said. “Bloody keen. On her part, and Ben’s. She must be paying a fortune for the private lessons.”
He turned to face her. “I know.” The sight of him up close made her breath catch. “Have you got time for a coffee?”
Maya winced. “I said I’d help Rowan with something, otherwise I would have. What about after this lesson with the tourist? You’ll only be an hour, right?”
Sam lifted a hand to pull a piece of fluff out of her hair, slowly trailing his fingers through the strands and creating an electrifying sensation throughout her body. “Sounds about right. Meet you here in a couple of hours?”
Maya swallowed, her mouth dry. “I’ll probably be finished a little earlier, so I’ll come and catch the end of your lesson.”
