by Carly Morgan
Katie tried to keep her features placid, but she knew she had a terrible poker face. Her parents hadn’t ever hit her or her brother, so she couldn’t imagine what that must’ve been like.
“Anyway, I stumbled up to my room and fell onto my bed. I slept for a while, I guess, because when I woke it was light out. I hadn’t closed the curtains, so the sun shone brightly on me. It was so hot, I was sweating. My jaw hurt from where my dad struck me. I sat up to go to the bathroom. As I did, a ray of light touched my hand. It was bright and gave my skin an orange glow. I stared at it and a thought came to me that I was one of God’s greatest creations.” Max clamped his mouth shut and swallowed. Katie noticed him get choked up. She looked away, giving him a moment to collect himself.
Finally, he went on. “This feeling of peace enveloped me like a million tingles all over my body, and I heard or felt the words in my heart and mind. They were, ‘I love you and want you to find joy. What you’re doing will never bring you joy.’” His eyes watered and he cleared his throat.
Katie held her breath, unprepared for how vulnerable he was. She didn’t dare speak for fear he would change his mind and stop talking. The men in her life hadn’t ever been this open with her.
“In that moment, I felt God’s love for me and I promised Him and myself I would never do anything that would disappoint Him again.” He straightened, glancing around the restaurant. “I’m not sure how He feels about my tattoo, but I wanted a permanent reminder of that moment. So the sun represents God and his all-encompassing love for me. Inside is the kanji for peace.”
Katie watched Max, mesmerized by him. How had this strange and magnificent man been brought into her life? “What an incredible story. Thank you for sharing it with me,” she whispered, feeling that to speak any louder would take away from the moment.
Max leaned in closer. “You’re welcome.” He readjusted. “Anyway, what were we talking about?”
“I don’t remember,” Katie said, adjusting her dress.
He turned his gaze to the ceiling, thinking. “Oh yes, I remember. You said you’ve had a tough month.” His lips turned down in a frown. “I’m sorry. I should’ve noticed you were travelling alone, but sometimes I’m a little self-centered.” He touched her hand lightly.
A jolt of longing shot through her arm, and straight into her heart. She knew he was watching her.
“Why did you come to Maui?” Max smiled that breathtaking smile she’d come to expect from him.
Katie thought about lying, but that had never been her style. “This was supposed to be my honeymoon.”
He leaned back, placing his hands behind his head. “You were engaged to Bentley, right?” He sipped his water. “At least that was what he told me when we got into it at the club after he saw you and me kiss.” His eyes dropped to Katie’s lips. “I’m sorry you’re sad, but I’m glad you aren’t marrying that guy. He never liked anyone but himself.”
That frustrated her. She hated that she’d so misjudged Bentley. “It seems everyone else knew his true colors.” She threw up her hands in frustration. “I wish someone would’ve told me.”
Max leaned forward. “Would you have listened?” He spoke softly.
“No, probably not,” she said after a moment. “I needed to see how he really was for myself.” She huffed as an image of the woman on Bentley’s lap came to mind.
He moved in close to her. “I am really sorry.”
“It’s okay. As much as it hurts, I’m glad I found out before we married.”
“Amen to that.” He touched one of the flower petals on the centerpiece.
“You knew Birdy too,” Katie said, desperate to stop talking about Bentley.
His face lit up with surprise. “Are you talking about Pamela Bird?”
Katie nodded.
“Unbelievable.” He shook his head in awe. “Yes, I knew her. She was one of my best friends growing up. How do you know her?”
“We met in college. She’s my best friend and has been for eight years. We’re roommates.”
“Small world. Life is so strange,” he said, shaking his head. After a moment, he went on, “So, you’re on your honeymoon? How exciting.” He gave her a sideways grin.
“I know, right?” She shook her head.
The waitress returned with their food. “Can I get you anything else? Perhaps a bottle of wine? We have an excellent white that’ll go nicely with the fish.”
Max eyed Katie. “Water is good for me.”
“I’ll take another sparkling water with a slice of orange, if you’ve got it,” Katie said.
“An orange this time? Wow, you’re such a risk taker.” He smirked playfully.
“I know.”
The waitress glanced at both of them, unable to figure out their inside joke. “Sure thing,” she said before walking away.
“I think we disappointed her,” Katie said.
He chuckled. “That’s okay. I’ve always known I was an odd creature. No sense changing now. It’s part of my charm.” He winked when she met his gaze, putting a bite of food in his mouth.
Katie tried the fish. It was delicious. “This is so good.”
Max agreed, swallowing before taking another bite. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman enjoy her food as much as you do.”
“Oh?” She set down her fork. A quick glance at his features told her he didn’t mean anything rude. If it’d been Bentley saying those words, she would’ve been offended. But Max wasn’t Bentley, not in any way. “I like to eat.” She picked up her fork and took another bite.
“Me too.” They ate in silence until the waitress brought their drinks.
“Can I get you anything else?” The woman had her hands on her hips.
“Not at the moment. Thanks,” Max said, taking a drink.
“Very good.” She disappeared.
“Okay so another random question,” he said after another moment. “Do you mind if I ask why you’re questioning God’s love for you?”
Katie debated what to say. It was a good question. “I know He loves me. Sometimes it’s hard to see though.”
“Because you ended up not getting married? It seems to me that’s a sure sign God loves you. He allowed you to see Bentley’s true nature before you wasted another moment on him.”
“True.” She hadn’t thought about it that way before. “But there’s also the fact that I can’t get a job in my chosen field.”
“Well, maybe you just haven’t found the right one yet.”
“Yeah, I guess.” She couldn’t help but smile. “You seem to have a really positive outlook on life.”
“For the most part.” He finished his last bite of fish, chewed, and then waited for her to finish.
“Do you mind if I try a bite of your mac and cheese?” Katie couldn’t help but ask. It smelled delicious.
“Sure.” He pushed his plate toward her.
Katie took a bite. “Wow. It’s as good as I thought it would be. Thanks.”
“You want the rest?”
“No, I’m good.” She did want more, but resisted her inclination to wolf the rest of it down.
He put a bite on his fork and waved it at her. “You positive?”
She laughed. “Yes, I am.”
“Sweet.” He ate the bite and put down his fork. “So, here’s what I’m thinking.”
Katie took a sip of her sparkling water and watched him. “What?” She still couldn’t believe how comfortable she felt talking to him. It was as though they’d known each other for years.
“We should hang out together. I was thinking I’d go for a walk on the beach tomorrow. It should be beautiful and fun. Care to join me?”
“Yes, I’d love to.” The words came out before she really thought about them, but a quick internal check verified that she did want to go for a walk on the beach with him.
“Awesome.”
The waitress came over to their table. “So, dessert?”
Katie smiled at Max. “I’m game if you ar
e.”
“Oh, I’m game.”
Together, they pored over the dessert menu and decided on white chocolate, raspberry cheesecake.
Katie watched Max once the waitress left. “Have you never doubted since that morning in the sunlight?” Katie had been wondering that since he’d shared with her.
“No, I haven’t.”
Katie admired his resolve. “I’ve heard the term ‘wake-up call’, but I think I finally understand what it means.” She smiled. “I wish some of your faith would rub off on me.”
“Maybe that’s why I’m here, Katie.” He took her hand. “My first choice when I planned my vacation wasn’t Maui, but I felt inspired to come.” He rubbed her hand with his thumb. “You can borrow my faith until you get your own back.”
“Here you go,” the waitress said, placing an enormous slice of cheesecake between them.
“Thank you,” Max said.
“You got it.”
Once she was gone, Katie picked up her fork.
Max lifted his fork too. “Cheers,” he said holding it out.
Katie clinked her fork against his. “You want the first bite?”
“No way, it’s all you.” He pushed the plate toward her. “Go for it.”
She took a bite, savoring it. “So good.” She pushed it at him. “Your turn.”
He put a bite in his mouth. “That is good.” He closed his eyes, savoring the taste.
Katie watched him for a moment. “Thanks, by the way, for what you said a moment ago. If you’re serious, I might take you up on your offer. I think we can be great friends.”
“Friends, huh?” He smiled. “That’s a great place to start.” He went back to eating.
Katie took another bite as well.
“And we’ll meet tomorrow, around nine in the morning?”
Katie paused. Was she making the right choice, spending time with him? It couldn’t go anywhere. And she was only a month out of a three-year relationship. Marriage had been in her near future. She’d believed she and Bentley would have children together. Raise a family. Live in a lovely home in upstate New York and have long weekends in the city where they would visit museums, Central Park, and the street fairs. Those dreams had been dashed to pieces. She vividly remembered the way he’d sneered at her as he spoke. Before that moment, Katie had believed in him. Trusted him. Loved him. It hurt to realize she’d been such a horrible judge of character. Scared her a little too. What if Max wasn’t what she believed him to be? What if she wanted to find happiness so badly she began inventing it where it didn’t exist?
“Katie? Does that work for you?” Max interrupted her thoughts with his soft, pressing words.
“It’s just…” She decided to speak mostly the truth. “I feel broken. I don’t know what you’re thinking will happen, but I’m so not mentally available.” She clasped her hands together, pulling into herself as a wave of pain overwhelmed her. He was a musician. He wrote music for a living. That meant months away from home while he was on tour. How did she keep forgetting? It wasn’t the kind of family life she wanted.
“Hey.” Max brushed the top of her hand with his fingers. “It’s okay. The two of us are vacation buddies. Nothing more.”
A surge of disappointment rushed through her, but she pushed it away, grateful for his understanding. “Good. Then nine tomorrow sounds like a plan.”
“Watch, this will be your best honeymoon ever, Katie Green.”
She chuckled, though it came out harsher than she meant. “If you say so, Max Legend.”
Chapter 7
Katie woke early to the sound of waves lapping lazily against the shore. Sunlight sparkled on the water as sea birds dipped and cawed. She wrapped herself in a yellow silk robe and stepped out onto her private patio, sank into one of the chairs and closed her eyes.
For a moment, she thought Heaven couldn’t be any better. Then her thoughts turned to her last conversation with Birdy before she left for the airport. Her friend hadn’t been able to fly out with her because she’d already made a prior commitment to be the model for a mutual friend’s first fashion show. After that, she had a photo shoot and an interview with an indie magazine. But she’d promised to catch up with Katie during the last week of her trip. Katie was okay with it. While she hadn’t been excited about travelling alone, she was looking forward to the time away from New York.
Katie had been packing while Birdy assisted. Or, more accurately, hindered. Katie folded her navy one-piece bathing suit with white polka dots and tucked it into her suitcase. Birdy removed it, replacing it with a hot pink bikini.
“You’re going to Maui, not on a cruise for the elderly.” She scowled at the suit as she looked at it and then tossed it on the floor.
“Hey,” Katie said, picking it up and refolding it. “This is my favorite swimming suit.”
“Since when? 1965?” Birdy tried to take it back but Katie held it out of her reach, which was difficult since Bird towered over her.
“I’m not wearing that pink thing. You know it isn’t my style.” Katie laid the pink bikini back on the bed and put her navy suit in instead, then added a yellow one for good measure.
“Ugh, fine. Then at least take this cover-up.” Birdy held up a gauzy white dress.
“No, that isn’t my style either.”
“Look, you’re my dearest friend in the world, so I’m only going to say this once. You aren’t fifty. You’re twenty-eight. Please try and act like it.”
“Right.” Katie took the cover-up and packed it to appease Birdy.
“I mean, what if you meet the love of your life on this trip?” She’d been completely serious.
“I’m not going to meet anyone. I’m in mourning, Bird. My heart is in pieces.”
Birdy hugged her. “I know, Kiki. And as glad as I am you aren’t with that… jerk any longer, I know you’re hurting and for that I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks, Bird. I appreciate you so much,” Katie had said.
Now, here she was, in Maui, enjoying the morning sun while wearing none of the suits, but a bathrobe. She smiled to herself, allowing her thoughts to turn to Max. She decided to text Birdy. It wouldn’t hurt to get more information on him.
Can you tell me anything else about Max Legend? I know you went to high school with him and it’s been a while since you’ve talked to him, but… I need details.
Birdy didn’t respond right away. Katie closed her eyes, waiting. But after five minutes, she began to worry. What if Bird wasn’t responding because she knew something awful about Max?
Bird, tell me, please. He’s here in Maui. He’s staying at the Four Seasons.
Figures, her friend finally said.
What does that mean? Her heart raced with a worried anxiety. What if she had misjudged Max and he was a bad guy too. Should I steer clear?
Katie held her breath while she waited for Birdy to respond, not sure which response she feared more. Part of Katie hoped Birdy would tell her to stay away from him. It would give Katie an excuse to forget about Max and try to vacation by herself. Another part of her desperately wanted Birdy to tell her that Max was a catch and she would be lucky to get to know him.
Like I said the other night, I haven’t talked to him in eight years. In high school, he was into drugs and drinking. I think it was mainly because his family situation wasn’t the best. That said, he was always sweet to me. I could always see that underneath the misfit-kid attitude he was kind-hearted, and a good guy. I can’t imagine that’s changed. As for the other stuff, it looked like he’d cleaned up his act when we saw him at The Attic. Has anything changed since then?
Katie remembered at dinner he hadn’t ordered wine. Nor had he drunk any of the free alcohol available in first class. He had either done that to look good for her or he no longer drank. She released the breath she’d been holding.
No, he looked the same when I saw him yesterday. Thanks, Bird. See you next week. Love you!
Love you too, Kiki! Try not to get engaged befor
e I get there. She attached a winking face.
Katie laughed. I’ll do my best.
She saw the time and yelped. After a quick shower, she went through her clothes. Perusing them twice, she was convinced she had nothing to wear.
Her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. She opened it and read: Hey, this is Max. Are we still on for a walk on the beach this morning?
How had he gotten her number? A trickle of fear fell down her spine. How did you get my number?
I texted Birdy. She graciously shared. Hope that’s okay.
Feeling cautious, Katie texted Birdy. It’s been eight years since you and Max talked, but he said he texted you and you gave him my number. Is that true?
Yep. Apparently we are both committed to our phone numbers, at least. She added a winking face and continued. I called him and we talked a little while. He definitely has changed since high school. So I figured it would be okay. Plus, I didn’t think you’d mind.
Katie took a breath. I don’t. Thanks!
Then she texted Max: Definitely.
Great. Want me to pick you up at your room?
You know which room I’m staying in? Her heart began to race. Maybe he was really stalking her.
No, but I hoped you’d tell me.
I’ll meet you in the lobby. She didn’t want to seem over eager. This wasn’t a date. They were friends.
All right.
Katie decided on a tropical print halter dress in grass green that came to the middle of her knees. With it, she wore matching water shoes. They were comfortable and would make it easy to walk in the sand. She put her long hair up on top of her head then slicked on a little mascara and gloss. She’d forgotten to eat before and there was no time now, so she drank a bottle of water in the hopes of keeping the hunger pangs at bay.
Less than five minutes later, she walked into the lobby which was filled with breezy, beautiful people going about their business and probably doing beautiful things. But she didn’t care about them. She searched for Max. He wasn’t near the front desk, nor was he sitting in the waiting area. She wondered if he’d changed his mind.
