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“You’re kidding?” He raised his eyebrows. “I figured you’d be a Highland woman, born and bred.”
She winked. “I am. But I was away pretending to be a city woman for a bit. Turns out I was pretty shit at it, so now I’m back home with my tail between my legs.”
Laughing, he shook his head. “What took you to Glasgow?”
“Work. I was a boring accountant in another life.”
He appeared bemused. “I can’t imagine you behind a desk.”
“No.” Maya sighed. “Me neither. Zat is ze problem.”
“Ah. Okay.” He nodded. “The office didn’t suit you.”
The thought of her office created a hollow feeling inside. “Nope.”
Katie arrived with their drinks, and Maya took her usual opportunity to surreptitiously press a fiver into her palm. Katie smiled, her cheeks coloring a little, and Maya gave her a wink.
She turned back to Brodie. “Why the move on your part?”
“I managed a ski store in Glasgow. I applied for the transfer when a new branch opened here, because I fancied a change of scene.”
“Good choice.” She lifted her cup to sip from it. “Do you know many folks in town?”
“A couple,” he replied, fiddling with a sugar packet. “I’m still getting to know people.”
Maya leaned an elbow on the table. “You should come to the sled race, and the after-party. There’ll be loads of folks I can introduce you to.”
Brodie smiled, and it lit up his eyes. “I’d love that. Thank you.”
It occurred to Maya that she needed to get on the case with Sam regarding the sled race. She’d gotten distracted by the accounts, and time was ticking to the charity event. It was unclear what still needed to be done.
Brodie leaned across the table. “You know the lead instructor? The guy with the beard?”
“Sam,” Maya replied, thinking what a coincidence it was that she’d just been thinking about him. Although, she did spend a disproportionate amount of time with him on her mind lately. “What about him?”
“Is he your boyfriend?” Brodie asked, his voice low.
A tingling sensation rippled over her skin at the thought. But there was no chance of that ever being the case. “No. Why?”
Brodie frowned a little. “Because he’s over there by the bottom of the slope, watching us and giving me the evil eye.”
Maya suppressed the urge to snap her head around, and instead leaned back slowly, then turned. Sam was standing a few yards away, surrounded by his class as they chatted to him, and he did keep glancing in their direction.
“Are you sure? It doesn’t seem as if he’s giving us any dirty looks.”
Brodie shrugged. “Maybe I misinterpreted. Anyway, the race thing sounds great. I’ll be there.”
“Excellent.” Maya finished her drink. “Duty calls. I’m off to join those of my mental age. But I’ll see you tomorrow, if Aileen still isn’t up to it.”
Brodie gave her a wave. “Later, teach.”
Maya snuck a glance at Sam as she stood. He did appear to be frowning a little, until he caught her eye and she gave him a wave. At which point he smiled and waved back.
Pushing open the double doors from the café, Maya crossed over to where Sam was leaning against the vending machine, arms folded.
“All set?” she asked as she drew level with him.
“Yep.” He strolled over and held the door for her, following her out. “Rowan told me you came to the rescue while I was on the slopes. Sorry that you got saddled with the extra class.”
