Page 35 of Waste
“Excuse us, we’re heading to eat,” Marie interrupted and linked arms with Drew and Charlie.
“Yes, lunch! That’s why I came over. I sent my PA to invite you to join me, but your PA refused,” Mirry stated and pouted.
“My PA is here?” Drew asked deliberately, playing dumb.
“The woman in your cabin. She’s not a guest, obviously,” Mirry sneered. “She should have known who I was and accepted on your behalf. But there’s no need for her mistake to stop us eating together.”
“That woman is my guest and not an employee. If she said we’re busy, then we are. I must decline, as you can see, I already have a guest. It would be rude to rescind my own invitation to Marie,” Drew replied calmly. He was getting irritated with Mirry. What a self-important fool!
“You could all join me for lunch,” Mirry pressed, eyeing Marie like a rival.
“Dear girl, I have very little free time, and I wish to spend it with my friends. Not at a stranger’s table. Do excuse us,” Marie said and yanked on Drew’s arm. As Drew walked away, he stared straight ahead.
Mirry’s, “Well, I never! How damn rude!” floated back clearly.
Drew held his chuckles in until they got inside the cabin before laughing hard.
“Seriously, who does she think she is?” Marie demanded.
“A spoiled brat. I don’t watch reality TV, but her tantrum and pampered rich-bitch attitude are well known. That was hysterical,” Charlie announced through his own laughter.
“Hello, I’m Marie, an old friend of Drew’s,” Marie said, turning to Shelley, who appeared puzzled. Drew checked on Shelley and noted that she looked fine, albeit amused.
“She sent that poor girl over here to ask us to lunch. And then threw a tantrum when I refused. That was the right thing to do?” Shelley asked.
Drew hurried to reassure her. “Yes. Why on earth would we want to dine with that creature? Could you imagine it? It would be an hour of fending off unwelcome advances, sprinkled with anecdotes about her and listening to her drone on.”
“Wow, say it as you think it,” Charlie teased and laughed.
Jon knocked on the door to announce lunch had arrived, and Charlie brought it in while Drew got plates. He’d ordered food that he knew Shelley liked. Drew had questioned Charlie extensively last night to ensure that Shelley would be happy. The look of delight in her eyes warmed him as she spotted the meal.
“These are all my favourites! How did you know?” she exclaimed.
Warmth spread throughout Drew’s body as he ignored Marie’s knowing stare.
“Oh, he questioned me for hours,” Charlie complained.
“Doubt that,” Shelley retorted, and Charlie put a hand over his heart.
“You wound me,” Charlie whined, and Shelley rolled her eyes.
She smiled prettily at Drew, and he felt a funny sensation inside. Drew didn’t quite know what that emotion was.
“You’re welcome. Shelley, it’s been tough for you being unable to ski. I thought we’d make it up to you in other ways,” Drew replied.
He didn’t flinch under the knowing stares from Charlie and Marie. Shelley, however, seemed oblivious as she helped herself to sandwiches.
“Indeed,” Marie muttered. She turned to Shelley and smiled, and Drew felt a pang. He knew that smile of Marie’s very well.
“Tell me about yourself, Shelley. I want to know everything,” Marie said.
“Oh, there’s not much to tell. I’m sure you’ve lived a far more exciting life,” Shelley demurred.
“You know who I am?” Marie asked, shocked.
“Yes. My entire family are fans of your work. I’m surprised Charlie isn’t fangirling you right now,” Shelley teased her brother.
A flush hit Charlie’s cheeks, and Drew noted how happy Shelley appeared in that moment. He enjoyed seeing Shelley relaxed. The resort and his chalet had been the best idea he’d had for a while.
