Page 30 of A Manny for Christmas

‘See?’ He shoots me a grin that’s way too sexy, way too devastating, for someone who has no business weaselling his way into my heart. Or my knickers. ‘Hard bribery. You worked out what I want, and you’re using it as leverage.’ He tuts. ‘I’m clearly dealing with a master here. I don’t stand a chance.’

I’m smiling at him in an attempt to communicate my desperate gratitude—and low-level arousal—when Sadie’s voice pops up behind me.

‘Hi, guys.’

I groan inwardly.

‘Sadie, meet Angus’ brother, Max. Max, Sadie runs the PR side of things, and she’s looking after our social media too, at the moment.’

Max puts down his now-half-eaten bap and extends a hand and a broad smile.

‘Hiya, Sadie. Good to meet you.’

‘So nice to meet you.’ She shakes. ‘I knew you reminded me of someone. So. Another Rutherford man, eh? Come to stir up the monotony here and make us all fall in love with you?’

I interject before Max can answer. ‘I thought you were going to go and annoy yourhusband?’

She pouts. ‘He’s building a pivot table. He sent me packing.’ She turns to Max. ‘I married the Finance Director here. Please don’t judge me. I’m a lot cooler than him. And more fun.’

Max’s grin widens. ‘I have no doubt. And no judgement here.’

‘Ned is a seriously wonderful guy,’ I say. I shoot Sadie a stern glare. ‘And a living saint, if you ask me.’

She sighs. ‘He really is. And when you find a total brainiac with a heart of gold and the body of a professional athlete, you don’t say no. Even if he’s the world’s biggest dork, most of the time.’

‘You love it,’ I tell her.

She sighs, a soft, dreamy look on her face. ‘I really, really do.’

Max looks like he’s about to have a fit of the giggles. ‘I’m happy for you,’ he says before wisely diving into his breakfast again.

‘Did you need something, Sade?’ I ask her pointedly.

‘Only to ask what time you’re tackling the gingerbread stuff today.’ She taps her fancy phone in its glossy rose-gold case. ‘I want to record some step-by-step stuff for Instagram Stories.’

‘Sure,’ I say. Elevenish?’

‘Excellent.’ She turns back to Max. ‘Molly here is a big hit on Insta and TikTok. She has alotof fans, online and offline. She always gets the most views.’

Max’s gaze rakes over my face. ‘That doesn’t surprise me in the slightest,’ he says in a gruff voice.

I swallow, my neck heating. ‘You should take everything Sadie says with a pinch of salt. She’s always trying to make things sound more exciting than they actually are—that’s why she’s so great at her job.’

Sadie bats her eyelashes at me. ‘Speaking of your offline fans, when’s your date again?’

I glare at her. She couldn’t be more transparent, but Max doesn’t seem to get that he’s playing right into her hands when he frowns at me.

‘Date?’

‘There’s a local big-shot entrepreneur who’s a member here,’ Sadie explains helpfully. ‘He’s hot as fuck, and he’s been following our resident blonde bombshell around forages. She finally took pity on him and agreed to a date. Friday night, isn’t it?’ She pretends to rack her brain.

‘It’s not a big deal.’ I run my fingertip along some stray hot chocolate powder on the saucer of my cappuccino. ‘It’s a couple of drinks. I don’t think anyone here would begrudge me a few hours away from my kids.’

‘As long as you don’t expect me to babysit while you go out on yourdate,’ Max says, cocking an eyebrow at me. His mouth is a grim line.

‘Wouldn’t dream of it,’ I say. Annoyingly, I can’t cock a single eyebrow, but I raise both of mine right back at him.

11

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