by Layla Holt
Dean answered on the second ring. Max asked after his family and mused over how things had changed with all the brothers in the last few years. He didn’t see them as much as he used to, now that they were all married with families of their own.
If Max were to be brutally honest, it made him pretty lonely sometimes. Dean was his best friend but because of hanging out at his house when they were growing up, he had become close friends with all the brothers. At one point, they had hung out a lot together.
Now, he was lucky if he saw one of the brothers in a month.
“I’m taking someone out for dinner. Do you have any recommendations for a good Italian restaurant?” Max said.
“It depends,” Dean said. “Is it business or pleasure?”
“Pleasure,” Max said.
“Man or woman?”
“Why does it matter?” Max said, growing increasingly uncomfortable. He was taking Megan out for dinner as a friend but for some reason, he was not comfortable enough to tell Dean that it was actually Megan.
“It matters you idiot. So what is it?”
“A woman.”
“She must be pretty special,” Dean said. “Hang on Max.” Max could hear him talking to Ruby. “Max is going out on a special date.”
He shook his head. “That’s not what I said,” he said when Dean came back on the line.
Dean laughed. “Relax, it’s not a crime to take someone special out for dinner. Ruby says to tell you we’d love to meet her some time.”
“Are you going to recommend a restaurant or not?” Max said, already regretting his decision to call Dean.
Chapter 9
They were just two friends going out for dinner. Maybe if Megan told herself that a hundred more times, her stupid heart would stop leaping like a wild stag in her throat. It was probably because she had never been on a date with any other man as an adult, apart from Luca.
In college, she had been rather shy and had gone on very few dates. When she finished, she had gone to Italy for six months to immerse herself in the language and culture she found so romantic. She had signed up to live in Luca’s family vineyard, while living with the family.
The first time she had clapped her eyes on Luca at the airport, she had fallen for him hard. The attraction had been mutual and they had started dating almost immediately. She never met or dated other guys in Italy before she got serious with Luca.
That was a pretty good reason why she was beside herself with excitement. Megan stood in front of the mirror and fussed with her dress. It was a gorgeous royal blue wrap dress, pulled at the waist with a belt.
She had paired it with simple gold stud earrings and a matching necklace. She couldn’t wait to sample Ruby’s jewelry and add to her collection. Satisfied with her reflection, she grabbed her purse and carried her h to the living room.
The soft purr of a car engine reached her ears and a minute later, a knock came on the door. Megan inhaled deeply and strolled to the door. She knew it was Max and yet when she saw him, her breath stopped in her throat and she stood staring at him like an idiot.
He looked so sexily casual in black trousers and a white shirt open at the collar to reveal the V of his tanned skin. Megan’s legs weakened and she was glad that she was not wearing her heels yet. How had she never noticed all those years ago just how hot he was? Sure she’d had a crush on him but she’d not paid attention to his looks. Not really. She’d crushed on the Max she knew. The gentle giant, not how he looked.
He grinned and pulled flower arrangements from behind his back and presented them to her. “These are for you.”
Confused, Megan stared from one arrangement to the next. Roses and lilies. Was it a new thing to give someone two bouquets? She knew so little of what went on in the dating world, she would not have been surprised if that was the case.
“I wasn’t sure which you’d prefer so I brought both,” Max said sheepishly.
Megan giggled, all her nervousness evaporating. “I love all flowers.”
Max nodded as if she had said something profound. “That makes perfect sense.”
Megan laughed and took them from him. “They’re beautiful, thank you.”
Acting impulsively, she went on her toes and kissed Max on the cheek. His masculine scent enveloped her and a surge of heat flooded her. She had a sudden vision of Max sliding his big hand along her jaw and kissing her. A soft moan escaped her mouth and she jerked to the present.
She raised a panicked glance at Max and found his gaze on her. Megan wanted to die of shame. Why had she made that stupid noise? Had he heard it?
“I’ll put these in a vase.” She was an idiot and a walking embarrassment. She had stayed too long in the vineyard with only grape plants for company. She had clearly forgotten how to behave amongst attractive human beings.
She busied herself in arranging the flowers in a water jug and made a mental note to herself to buy several vases. The time in the kitchen gave her the space she needed to compose herself.
Back in the living room, she found Max standing in the middle of the room.
“It feels unlived in the way a vacation rental apartment feels like,” he said, digging his hands into his pockets.
He was right. She’d done absolutely nothing to make it homey. “I guess I haven’t really thought of it as home.”
He turned to face her. Megan stayed still under his scrutiny.
“You look beautiful,” he said in a way that made her feel as if it wasn’t something he said to all the pretty women he saw. The compliment meant something coming from Max.
“Thank you. You look ho-I mean, very smart. But then, you look like that every day,” Megan said, her eyes roving over the stretch of his shirt over his wide shoulders.
“Shall we go?” he said.
“Okay.”
He held the front door for her and she smiled at him as she walked past. It was a beautiful spring evening, although in Lockwood, there really wasn’t any marked difference between summer and spring. One rolled into the other without a lot of fanfare.
Still, Megan loved that magical hour when there was still a hint of daylight but then shadows of the approaching night hovered on the sidelines.
They walked to Max’s car and he stepped forward to open the door for her.
“Thank you,” she said to him and slipped in. “Where are we going?” she asked him when he entered his side.
“You’ll see,” Max said.
“Okay,” Megan said and relaxed in her seat.
“How was work today?” Max said as he drove. She loved his driving. It was smooth and easy without the bursts of speed that Luca loved and which she hated.
“It was good. I’ve finally gotten the hang of sliding six bars of chocolate into a packing box at the same time,” Megan said with a laugh.
Max chuckled. “I remember how frustrating that was for you.”
“Yeah. I’ve mastered it and just when I’ve become somewhat of an expert, I have to move on to another department.”
“You made a friend too,” Max pointed out.
Megan smiled. “I did and guess what, today I told her who I was. She’d begun suspecting it though.”
Darlene hadn’t seemed surprised when Megan finally told her that she was the last born in the Cohan family. And best of all, her manner had not changed at all and she had treated Megan as she always did for the rest of the day.
“Where are you working next?” Max asked.
“Lillian, the receptionist is going on an eight-day leave. I’ll be taking her place. I’m not looking forward to that to be honest. Reception is a bit boring. There’s no action,” Megan said.
“You’ll be surprised,” Max said. “When I used to work for my father part-time in his repair shop, the most interesting place to work was reception. There’s action twenty-four seven.”
Megan pictured herself behind the reception desk at Candin Inc and visualized the minutes slowly ticking by. She wanted to believe Max but she was skeptic
al about the amount of action there was going to be when all she had to do was sit behind a desk welcoming people to Candin Inc.
“Here we are,” Max said, navigating the car into a parking space at the front of the restaurant. “You used to like Italian food. I hope you still do. They have the best Italian food.”
“You remember that?” she asked him, shocked that he could remember her favorite food. She had loved everything Italian and still loved the food.
He smiled in response and killed the engine. They strolled to the entrance of the restaurant and when they stepped in, they were met by a buzz of conversation and dishes clinking softly in the distance.
It was definitely a popular spot and she couldn’t wait to taste their food. They were shown to a table at the end of the room and Max pulled out her chair for her. The woman he would end up with would be a very lucky lady indeed, Megan thought for the hundredth time.
“You’re glowing,” Max said when he sat down.
“I’m happy.” She hadn’t felt at peace and as relaxed as she did at that moment in a long time. Her life in the last five years had been tough. Now that she was back home and living a relatively stress-free life, she could look back and see what a poor quality of life she had been living.
The server came to their table and handed each of them a menu. Megan took hers and perused it. It didn’t take long to find what she wanted.
“I’ll have Pasta Primavera.” She loved pasta and had never tired of it even after living in Italy for five years.
“Make mine grilled calamari,” Max said. “Choose the wine for us Megan.”
“Sure,” she said. “Are you okay with a white wine?”
He nodded and she ordered half a bottle of chardonnay.
“How’s work going for you?” she asked when the server left.
“It’s okay,” Max said. “I have this particular contract that I’m enjoying profusely and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my client keeps the contract going.”
“Oh,” Megan said, intrigued. “What’s it for?”
“It’s a bodyguard and driver contract. I have to pick up this beautiful lady every morning and take her to work and take her home in the evening. I love her company and I live for those moments.”
It took Megan a few seconds to realize that he was talking about her. She managed to keep a straight face. “Is that allowed? To mix business and pleasure?”
Max put on a thoughtful face. “It’s probably not but I don’t have a choice in the matter. It’s how I feel.”
They were joking but suddenly the atmosphere became heavy. She met his gaze and he wasn’t smiling. Neither was she. The server chose that moment to bring the wine. He placed it on the table and proceeded to pour each of them a glass.
Megan’s heart hammered in her chest and she couldn’t make sense of what had just happened. What was Max saying? Did he have feelings for her? A memory came to her then, of dancing with him at Jaime’s wedding. He’d whispered something into her ears and his words had become etched into her brain.
If I was your husband, I’d never let you out of my sight. You’d never have to wonder where I am or what I’m doing. You deserve better Megan Cohan.
Had he said that as a friend or as a man who harbored feelings for her? Megan took a deep breath and reminded herself that Max was just a friend and more importantly she had just come from ending a marriage. She had no business thinking of another man romantically.
“This is good,” Max said. “Your taste in wine is superb.”
“At least I got something out of living in Italy,” Megan said flippantly and reached for her glass of wine.
“Hey don’t say that,” Max admonished. “Our past forms the fabric of our experiences. See how much you’ve matured in the five years you’ve been away? That probably wouldn’t have happened if you’d stayed here. You were a spoiled brat and you’d have remained one if you hadn’t left.”
She widened her eyes. “No I was not.”
Max laughed. “We all called you brat behind your back.”
Megan’s jaw fell and she narrowed her eyes. “Did you really?”
“Of course not. I would never call you a brat.”
There was that atmosphere again as if something had suddenly sprouted between them. Her heart beat so fast, she thought it would pop out of her chest.
Chapter 10
Max’s phone vibrated on his desk with a text message. Before reading it, he glanced at the time. Quarter past twelve. He couldn’t wait to go to the art gallery downtown and pick out a nice piece of art for Megan’s house. He didn’t know her taste in art, so he would just go with what he liked.
He tapped the screen of his phone to read the message. A sinking feeling came over him as he read it. Nancy wanted him to hurry to the coffee house. She put three exclamations after the message implying that it was an emergency. If it was one, she would have called, not messaged him.
Still, he’d been on the screen long enough reviewing recorded CCTV videos as the client had reported a missing item at the construction site. His eyes hurt from staring at the screen too long and forgetting to move his eyes every half hour.
Max slipped his phone into the pocket of his pants and left his office. He needed a coffee and a sandwich anyway. Megan drifted into his mind as he was strolling towards the coffee house. It was frightening how many times a day he thought about her.
But he would get over her just as he had when she got married and moved to Italy. Meanwhile, he was enjoying getting to know her anew. All he had to do was keep his feelings to himself.
It was approaching lunch hour and the coffee house was starting to fill up.
“Max!” Nancy shouted loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear her. She came rushing to him and threw her arms around his neck. He reluctantly slipped his hands around her waist.
She drew back and stared into his eyes and then to his surprise, she kissed him on the lips. It was a light brush of her mouth on his but it felt uncomfortable as heck. Nancy was like his sister and they had agreed to keep it nonphysical, for goodness’ sake.
Before he could complain, she had taken his hand and led him to a free table. When he sat down, she bent to whisper into his ear.
“Don’t look but Michael’s here,” she said, her voice high pitched with excitement. She straightened and continued speaking in a louder than normal voice. “What can I get you honey?”
“Can you stop shouting?” Max said. “I’ll have a beef sandwich and a coffee please.”
“Coming right up,” Nancy said, her voice back to normal.
A shadow fell across his table seconds after Nancy left. He looked up and his blood turned to ice. Ruby. He stood up automatically to kiss and hug her. His brain went into a frenzy trying to come up with an explanation. Had she seen Nancy hugging and kissing him when he entered?
A thin film of sweat formed on his back, making his shirt cling to his skin. He had forgotten that Dean’s wife liked to frequent the coffee shop as well. She had a deep attachment to it as it had belonged to her parents. After they passed on, she had sold it to the current owners, Jonathan and Ella.
His movements were stiff and unnatural. It didn’t help that he could see the questions in her eyes.
“Hi,” he said after they had hugged.
“Hi,” Ruby said cheerfully. “Now I understand why you wanted recommendations for a restaurant. I don’t know her well but she seems like a nice girl.”
Max desperately wanted to tell her that Nancy was not his girlfriend. His stomach rolled at the thought of the news spreading through the Cohan clan. Then he told himself to stop being silly. His love life was not of interest to anyone. Ruby would probably forget about it as soon as they parted ways, and if not, the only person she would tell was her husband Dean.
“We grew up together,” he said.
Ruby nodded enthusiastically. “Those relationships turn out to be the best. Just like me and Dean. Hey, I have an idea, why don’t you two
come for dinner on Saturday. It would be great to get to know her.”
Max shook his head. “Can’t. I have a lot of work stuff lined up for the weekend.”
“You work too hard Max and it’s not good for you. Learn to strike a balance,” Ruby said, jabbing a finger at his chest.
“I will.”
“Good, and let me know when you guys can come over. We haven’t seen you in ages and that’s not good for old friends.” She was almost as tall as he was and all she had to do was lean forward to kiss his cheek. “See you soon.”
He sunk back into his chair with relief and dread. Clearly, she was going to tell Dean about it. He hoped that it would be the end of that.
“She’s beautiful,” Nancy said as she set his coffee and sandwich in front of him.
The scent of grilled chicken teased his nostrils and he reached for the sandwich. “She’s nice too.” If there was someone who deserved the happiness in his marriage that he was experiencing, it was Dean.
He had gone through hell and back. Ruby had left him standing at the altar and the scandal had made headlines in almost all the newspapers. To his credit, Dean had held his head high and when Ruby returned to Lockwood, against all odds, they had rekindled their romance.
Nancy sat down next to him. “Michael said I was loose for moving on so fast after him,” she said, her eyes gleaming.
Max narrowed his eyes. “Am I missing something here? That’s an insult, why would that please you?”
She stared at him as if he was a fool. “It means he cares.”
Max stared at her in disbelief. “No it doesn’t. It means he doesn’t respect you. Nance, your way of reading men is really messed up. Either that or you think very little of yourself. Who or what made you this way? It is wrong to insult a woman. Period.”
She shrugged. “It’s better than someone not reacting at all.”
“It’s better if someone doesn’t react at all.” He wanted to shake some reasoning into her head. Frustration welled up inside him. Nancy was pretty and a good person. She did not need to be pining for an undeserving man like Michael. But she had to see that for herself.
