Page 41 of Valentine Nook
Miles is too far away from me to punch him, and I can’t do anything other than glare when he turns to me. I’ve learned the deeper Miles’s dimples become, the bigger the shit he’s about to stir.
I totally forgot I told them about the waterfall incident. My gut suddenly feels very heavy.
“Our new American friend spotted Lando in his birthday suit, having a merry old time in the waterfall.”
Alex stares at me, as confused as Clementine, who’s turned to Holiday, no doubt extremely grateful for her giant sunglasses. I can’t see her eyes, but I’m certain they’re shooting daggers at me.
It’s so silent I can almost hear the whirring of my sister’s brain, and Holiday counting down until the penny drops.
Clementine’s brows shoot up. “You’rethe gross, hairy naked guy?”
“I never said gross,” Holiday protests loudly, but no one hears her.
Miles is laughing so hard, I only need to bump him, and he’d fall over. So I do just that. Hendricks also has his head back snorting with laughter, just like Alex, although his amusement is coupled with confusion because he was in Hong Kong and has no idea what’s happening.
I try to catch Holiday’s eye to apologize, but she’s not looking at me.
I wait for the explosion, the mood, the black cloud that will follow me for the rest of the day for embarrassing her. For telling my brothers, for Miles’s joking around.
Based on experience, that’s what usually happens.
Instead, she’s shaking her head, wearing a wry smile while she watches Miles pick himself up off the ground.
“Oh,Lan. Gross and hairy. What a perfect description.” He giggles.
“Lando, why were you naked?”
“I didn’t think anyone was going to walk through the bushes, did I? It’s private land,” I grumble, which only sets Miles off again. “Milo, shut the fuck up, will you?” My eyes fall on Holiday. “I apologize about my idiot brother, and you know . . . the waterfall.”
I should probably add another apology for everything else that’s happened up to this point, but Holiday brushes it all off with a laugh and a flick of her hand.
“Don’t worry. I have brothers. I know how it is.”
That’s it. That’s her entire reaction. Laughing it off. I don’t know what’s more overwhelming, my relief or my surprise.
Over the tannoy an announcement is made for all members of the cricket teams to make their way to the pavilion for the coin toss and the start of the match. It’s not a moment too soon.
“Right, boys, once more unto the breech . . . Loser buys the drinks later, right, Al?” Hendricks slings his arm over Alex’s shoulder.
It’s enough to start an argument about which team will win today, with Miles and Hendricks teasing Alex for being a sore loser. It’s also enough to provide a distraction that I can step closer to Holiday.
“Hollywood—” I begin quietly.
One of her brows raises above the rim of her sunglasses, and I earn myself a smile. “Gracie.”
Just like the first time I heard it, the nickname has me biting down on a grin because hell, if I don’t find the lack of deference amusing. Kiss-arses surround me daily, and meeting someone who couldn’t give a shit about me, my title, or my money isn’t just novel, it’s energizing.
Clementine swings an arm around Holiday’s shoulders. “Ineed to go too. I’m helping Eddie behind the bar. You’re welcome to come and help, but if you want to stay and look around, Lando will show you. Won’t you, Lanny?”
With that, my sister becomes my favorite sibling, and it takes all my effort not to break out into an enormous smile.
“I’d be happy to.”
“Great, see you in a couple of hours.”
“Keep your clothes on this time.” Miles snorts. He leans in closer and nudges his elbow into my ribs. “Still want to offer me ten thousand to switch places?”
“Fuckoff,” I hiss after him as he sprints off with the others, leaving Holiday and me alone, though my tone is only filled with amusement.
