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A spark of malice deep inside me noted with absolute satisfaction that I was glad she had hurt herself. This reckless, selfish, spoiled . . .

I checked her hand. She could move the joint freely. Without x-ray vision, it was impossible to diagnose. But I could swear that nothing was broken. This specimen was too lucky for that.

“Come on. Unbuckle the board. We’re leaving.”

“How am I supposed to do that? With my hand?” she protested loudly.

And to top off this disaster, I found myself at Maria’s feet, freeing her boots from the snowboard. Of course, I also had to carry it back to the resort. Her wrist hurt too much.

Next to me, she ranted and raved about my incompetence.

All it would take was one more grain of sand, and my patience would be at an end. I concentrated on each step I took. She wasn’t worth it. And I would be able to sort things out with Adriel, no matter what the lady was babbling about.

When we got to the boot room, I put her board in front of her locker. Without saying goodbye, I went to the shop, where I saw Anton still bent over a pair of skis.

“Can you check my board or lend me the keys after you finish work? I need to get it repaired after this trip.”

Anton turned to me in surprise. “What did you do?”

I shook my head. I wanted to forget this day as quickly as possible. “Hopefully just needs some wax.”

“Put it down. I’ll take a quick look at it.” Anton had turned his attention back to the skis in front of him.

When I returned to the equipment room, Maria was standing there, glaring at me angrily. “You won’t get away with this easily. I’m going to complain.”

“You’re complaining?” My jaw dropped. “If anything, I have reason to complain.”

She blushed and turned abruptly. “There will be consequences.”

I thought for a moment and then followed her down the guest corridor into the lobby. The sooner we sorted this out, the better.

When we reached the lobby, Maria rushed toward a man.

“Oh, darling, I’m glad you’re here.”

I widened my eyes. Standing next to Darling was Ruben, who watched the whole spectacle with pursed lips.

While Maria ranted, I shrugged and Ruben raised his eyebrows.

“Darling, I’ll take care of it right away. Let me say goodbye to Ruben first. You’ll be happy to hear that I was able to book him for Roger’s birthday.”

Maria looked warmly at Ruben. “At least one competent person here.”

Ruben inhaled sharply. “I’m sure, Shane . . . ”

Whatever Ruben wanted to say was drowned out by the concierge, who rushed over to our little group, clearly startled by the commotion in his lobby. “Ladies and gentlemen. May I ask you to come with me? I will do everything in my power to resolve whatever problem you may have.”

“Yes. We’ll do that. Ruben, we’ll be in touch.” Maria’s Darling shook Ruben’s hand. Before turning away, he silently mouthed “Sorry” and glanced at me with pity.

That hit me in the gut. This situation was exactly what had been bothering me since Ruben had left. While he made small talk with the top 5 percent and worked with them, I was nagged and disrespected by them. I didn’t care about that kind of thing. But with Ruben as a witness? And the proof in words that we weren’t compatible? That I was the type of guy who would spend his whole life lounging on the beach while Ruben pursued a career.

It wasn’t self-pity about the situation itself. It was disappointment that we were so different. Apparently, Ruben was right after all.

When I turned back to the complaining group, Adriel had already joined us.

“Ma’am, let’s continue this conversation in my office.”

Adriel took over the conversation and left no doubt that he was behind me one hundred percent. He phrased it in such a way that Maria wanted to book another hour with me.