Page 41 of Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters

“I must say, for a woman who works in the beauty industry, you don’t come across as very high maintenance,” Sam said.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Maya replied, narrowing her eyes playfully.

“I mean…” Sam stammered, back-tracking, “you always look lovely.”

“Thank you.”

“But you’re not always wearing make-up, dressed to the nines with perfect nails and hair.” He nudged her.

Maya knew what he meant. Stunning Brunette looked high maintenance. Sam didn’t mention her. Should Maya ask about her?

“Some of my clients are what you would call high maintenance. I’m constantly waxing brows, tinting lashes, painting nails — sometimes when they don’t even really need it. I’m grateful; they keep me in business. But it amazes me how they can do the school run in three-inch heels.”

“And how do they do day-to-day chores with nails like claws?”

“I have to keep mine fairly short for massages.” Maya held out her hands. She didn’t even have nail polish on them. She didn’t have the time.

“Oh, yes, not sure I’d find it relaxing, getting the odd scratch.” Sam flinched, then laughed. Maya liked his laugh. “Although in the height of passion…”

“Really?” She laughed too, not able to look him in the eye.

“Sorry, probably too much information!” Sam shook his head and changed the subject. “Vicky is what I class as high maintenance.”

“Vicky?”

“Oh, she’s a work colleague; we play mixed doubles in badminton together. You probably saw her with me at the gym that time.”

ThattimeIfellonmyarseandmadeatitofmyself. Andheremembers. “The brunette?” She thankfully held off saying ‘stunning’ bitterly, but she couldn’t meet his eye now.

“Yes, that’s her.”

“I have to say, isn’t she a little young for you?” Maya tried to make it sound like a joke, scooping dry sand and letting it rain through her fingers.

“And I’m the wrong gender. She’s gay. Zara, who also plays, is her wife.”

“Oh,” Maya nodded, remembering the other woman she’d seen at the gym.

They then started to discuss their favourite movies — a safer subject.

“I love that moment in LoveActually,” Maya said, her gaze still focussing out to sea, “when the guy — Mark isn’t it? — rings the doorbell, and Keira Knightley answers it and he stands there, with the cue cards, telling her that he expects nothing in return but tells her that he thinks she’s perfect. It’s the sweetest thing ever. All along she’s been thinking he hates her, and yet, he’s kept his distance because he loves his best friend’s wife.”

“It is a good movie.” Sam played with the dry sand, combing it through his fingers.

“You’ve watched it?”

“Are you kidding? With Jade, she loved those sorts of movies.”

“Most women do. Don’t get me wrong, I love action movies and sci-fi, but I love a good rom-com too — a feel-good movie to snuggle up on the sofa to watch,” said Maya.

“So, you’ll come see the next Marvel movie with me, then?” Sam chuckled.

“Er, yes. And if Chloe doesn’t want to go, we can always take Lewis.”

“It’s a date… I mean, deal.”

The sun sank, deepening the colours in the sky. Silence fell between them again.

“Right, we’d better head back,” Maya said, standing up and brushing the sand from her bottom. She was starting to worry she’d left the kids for too long — and spent too much time alone with Sam. The sun had now disappeared below the horizon.

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