Page 9

Maya walked over, glowing in the headlights like some sort of ethereal vision. Well, it was less of a walk and more like the gait of an intoxicated Bambi—at least she’d changed into trainers from those killer heels she’d had on earlier. Yeah, he’d taken in every last detail about what she was wearing, and how she’d worn it. Sam glanced skyward, his voice low. “This isn’t what I meant when I asked you to give me a break.”

Maya completed her slippery journey across the tarmac. “Okay?” Her expression was difficult to read.

He shifted his weight from one foot to another. “Not really. Bloody thing won’t start.”

Maya eyed the car, raising her eyebrows. Probably disgusted that it wasn’t one of these shiny BMWs. “Does it normally give you trouble?”

He stifled a sigh. This evening was getting more mortifying by the minute, and that was despite their first meeting having involved him being stark naked except for a piece of cloth the size of a place mat. A large place mat, obviously. “Yeah. Usually, I can get it going again.” He nudged the car with his foot, resentful of how it was showing him up. “But not this time.”

Maya hugged her arms, and Sam wondered whether he should offer his parka. But he didn’t want to do anything else that might come across as inappropriate.

“Is that why you need extra money?” she asked. “To buy a new car?”

Sam hesitated, running a hand through his hair and not meeting her eyes. “Something like that.”

“Have you got breakdown cover?”

He grimaced. “Nope.” Nice one, Sam. You’re such a catch. Feeling inferior regarding material wealth wasn’t something that had bothered him in a long time. At least, not since Maya.

“Hmm,” Maya said, seeming to ponder the problem.

Sam wished she’d just leave him to his misery and zoom off back to Glasgow.

“You could call them and get the car registered, then ask them to come out? Or stay overnight in a hotel and do it in the morning?”

Sam rubbed his face. “I’ve got a kids’ class to teach in the morning and I can’t let them down. I suppose I could go with the roadside assistance option.” He puffed out a breath. “I was just hoping to keep this last lot of money for the thing I’m saving for.” He stopped talking in case he gave anything away. Not that it mattered if he told her what he was really doing with the money. She wasn’t going to be around Glenavie anyway. But he didn’t feel like divulging any more to this woman.

“The new car?” she asked.

“Yeah . . .” he said, glancing away. “That’s right.”

She’d likely think it pitiful that he might need to save for a vehicle. No doubt she could afford to buy one outright. Her family had always been what he thought of as two-holidays-a-year kind of people. Enough wealth to afford a summer break to some far-flung tropical paradise, plus a winter ski trip somewhere amazing like Whistler. Sam and his family had only ever managed a summer break elsewhere in Scotland. Not something he ever resented, but clearly there were those who looked down on such arrangements.

Sam had skied abroad on one occasion only, when they went on a school trip to Austria. His mum had saved for months and gone without herself in order to make it happen, and he’d been eternally grateful though agonizingly guilty about it.

Maya studied him, and it seemed as though she might finally give up and leave him to it. Her voice was a little subdued. “I can give you a lift home. That way you can teach your class in the morning, then decide what to do about the car later.”

For a moment he didn’t know what to say. An offer of assistance wasn’t what he’d been expecting, especially when her objectionable attitude toward him had been on display thus far that evening. It would solve his situation, but it’d mean that she’d be going hours out of her way altogether—there and back again—before completing the journey to Glasgow. Unless she stayed at her parents’ overnight and then went home in the morning. But surely if she didn’t need to return that same night, then she’d be staying at Kirsty’s.

He folded his arms and shook his head. “I can’t put you out.”

Maya hugged her arms a little more tightly, not meeting his eyes. “I’m going the exact same way as you. So, it’s not putting me out.”

Sam hesitated, trying to piece that statement together. “You’re going home? To Glenavie?”

“Yeah,” she said, glancing down at the ice-glazed tarmac.

She must be headed back for the weekend. Should he say yes, if she was going that way anyway? But the mere idea of that was excruciating.

“Maybe it’s not out of your way,” Sam said slowly, the words squeezing painfully past his vocal cords. “But I’m pretty sure being in my company for the two-hour drive isn’t something you’d particularly relish.”

She hesitated, then shot him a brief smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s fine.”

Sam looked at the car, then along the road. He had no other way of getting home tonight, not unless he wanted to call Catriona and risk her wrath. He ran a hand through his hair. “Okay.” Trying not to audibly sigh, and attempting to infuse a little enthusiasm into his voice, he said, “Thanks.”

Maya turned quickly, seeming keen to get back to the car. Perhaps because she was freezing. Or maybe because the thought of an imminent drive in his company was so repulsive to her, she had to get a brief reprieve from his presence. In any case, she must’ve misjudged the ice rink beneath their feet because she slipped, throwing her arms out in an attempt to steady herself.

Sam grabbed hold of her, hauling her into his chest before she could fall.