Maxie Duncan Box Set

by Webb, Melissa L.

  I wondered if Van was up for a movie night. We could watch chick flicks until we crashed. It sounded like a perfect plan to me. It was exactly what I needed.

  A soft knock sounded on my door before it opened, Van poking her head in.

  Speak of the devil. “Hey,” I said, trying to lessen the worry I knew had to be etched in my face.

  “Hey, gloomy Gus,” she said, taking me in. “What are you doing hiding in here?”

  I guess it hadn’t worked. I sighed, sitting down on the side of my bed. “I’m not hiding.”

  “Yes, you are,” she said, seeing right through me. “You’re upset about the jobs you lost. Which I think is ridiculous. Neither one was you, Maxie.”

  “How was I supposed to know that until I tried them?”

  “My point exactly,” Van said smugly. “Come work for me.” Her smile grew wider as she watched me. “How do you know it won’t work until you try?” she asked, throwing my own words back at me.

  She had me there. I had to admit that, but it still felt like giving in if I took her job. It would be admitting I couldn’t do anything on my own.

  She could tell I was still fighting the idea. Coming farther into the room, she looked down at me, her eyes holding concern. “Maybe the reason you met me was to straighten out your life. Ever thought of that?” she asked softly.

  I looked up at her, puzzlement clearly showing on my face. No, I hadn’t even thought of that. Was it possible? Did I really need to take everything she offered? Boy, this destiny thing was sure confusing.

  Van was silent for a moment, letting that sink in. “So, Danny and I are going out tonight. Jensen is in the living room.”

  I frowned at my friend. “I don’t need a babysitter,” I informed her. It wasn’t like I was totally helpless.

  “No, he does,” she stated. A pleading look came into her eyes when she saw the frown wasn‘t leaving my face. “Please? For me? It’s the only way I can have Danny to myself tonight. They had plans, and well…”

  I tried to keep my resolve, I really did, but I felt my frown slipping. How could I say no to her? She had already given me so much. “But…I’m not presentable,” I protested weakly. “I’m in my pajamas.”

  She eyed what I was wearing and huffed. “I’ve seen women leave the house in worse things than that. What you’re wearing is fine.”

  “I don’t know,” I said, examining myself in the vanity mirror. I was used to greeting company in the proper attire.

  “You’re gorgeous in everything you wear, Max,” she said, heading to the door. “Come keep him company. You’ll thank me later.” And with that, she was gone.

  Thank her later? Was she out of her mind? How could Jensen and I spending the evening together be anything but a train wreck? I wasn’t ready to get into another relationship, especially not with someone like him. No way. It wasn’t happening. I didn’t care that my heart was fluttering just thinking about seeing him again. He wasn’t the guy for me.

  But…I couldn’t let Van down. I just couldn’t. So with a huge amount of trepidation, I pulled on a sweatshirt and went out to the living room.

  Buttery goodness invaded my nose as I approached. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all. I had a weakness for popcorn.

  “Hey,” his soft voice greeted me as he entered the other side of the living room, carrying a large plastic bowl. His eyes held mine as I approached.

  I no longer felt dizzy as I looked into his eyes, but my heart was doing the cha-cha. “Hi,” I said sheepishly as we both reached the couch. “I didn’t know you were coming. Sorry I look so bad.”

  He laughed, deep and rich, as he plopped down on the couch. “I think you look adorable. I like a girl who isn’t afraid to get comfortable.”

  I flushed slightly as I sat down next to him. “Thanks. I think.”

  “Trust me. It was a compliment,” he said, sitting the bowl on the coffee table in front of us. “As you can see, I popped popcorn. And I brought movies. I thought maybe you’d join me on a non-date date?”

  I raised my eyebrows. What was he up to? “A non-date date?”

  “Yeah,” he said with a shrug. “Van told me you just went through a really bad break-up. I’m here with no other intentions but having a good evening with a new friend.” He looked at me, a shy smile ghosting his lips. “So, what do you say?”

  I leaned forward, snatching up the popcorn bowl. “Sure, as long as there’s plenty of this stuff, I’m all yours.”

  “Great,” Jensen said, standing up. “I brought several movies I thought you might like. You’re into Romantic Comedies, right?”

  “Oh, yeah,” I told him around a mouthful of popcorn. I guess I was going to get my chick flick night after all. I leaned back, sinking into the plush couch as I watched him. Stephen and I had never done anything as ordinary as this. I realized that I could completely be myself with Jensen. No pretending. No being perfect all the time. Just two people really enjoying each other’s company.

  Maybe my instincts were right about this guy. Maybe I needed someone like this in my life. Well, I wasn’t going anywhere. This was my new life and I had all the time in the world to see where it might lead.

  He sat back down next to me, flashing me the most perfect smile as he grabbed a handful of the popcorn.

  My heart fluttered again as our eyes made contact. Oh, yeah. I might not be looking for a relationship right now, but a little company never hurt anyone, right?

  Nine

  I stood behind the check-in desk surveying the area, and took a deep breath. I couldn’t believe it. Somehow I had managed to survive four hours of work. I hadn’t maimed anyone. I hadn’t even made anyone mad. Even more surprising, I really, really liked it here. Ugh, I knew there was a told-you-so coming from Van, and the sad thing was, I deserved it.

  “So…how’s it going?” a voice called cheerfully from my side.

  Uh oh, here it came. “Great,” I said, smiling sheepishly at Van. “It’s going great.”

  Van returned it with a wise smile. “I thought it might be,” she told me. “I’ve been getting nothing but compliments about you.”

  Yay! I was finally good at something. “Listen, Van, I’m sorry.”

  She held up a hand to stop me. “Doesn’t matter. I’m just happy you finally found your path.”

  I nodded gratefully. I guess she was bigger than an I-told-you-so. “This place is great. How did you ever end up working here?”

  She shrugged. “There’s always been an Evans running this place. I guess I was next in line.” She looked around the lobby, beaming proudly. “This place is something, isn’t it? It has a certain charm you can’t find any place else.”

  “Except for Enchantment Cove,” I said, immediately realizing it was true. Both buildings had that same quality to them. They both felt like home.

  Van glanced over at me, smiling slightly. “Did you know they were both built by the same people?”

  I shook my head, but wasn’t too surprised. As soon as she said it, I could see the similarities around me. “I guess they both do have the same soul.”

  “They were built at the time as a haven for lost souls,” she said, glancing over at me. “And I guess they still are.”

  I turned around, straightening the old fashion room keys hanging on the wall behind us. I didn’t want her to see the moisture in my eyes. I hadn’t even realized how lost I’d been. I don’t know what I would have done if Van hadn’t found me. I owed her so much for giving me a new beginning.

  “So…” she said, changing the subject. “You never said. How was your date last night with Jensen?”

  I turned around, frowning slightly. “It wasn’t a date,” I told her, the words coming out a little too forceful.

  “Sure, sure,” she said, leaning back against the counter. “How was your “undate” with Jensen last night?”

  I sighed. Where did I even start? “It was good. We watched movies. We talked. We ate junk food. It was a perfect evening.”


  “Is that all that happened?”

  I glanced away, feeling my cheeks grow warm. “Well…maybe there was a little bit of cuddling involved.”

  “I knew it,” Van cheered. “You like him.”

  “I’m not ready for a relationship, Van.”

  “Doesn’t matter if you’re ready or not, Max. If you’re meant to be with someone, it will happen,” she said with a giggle. “I can’t wait to tell Danny. That boy is head over heels about you.”

  “Danny?”

  “No, silly. Jensen. He’s been smitten ever since he laid eyes on you.”

  My heart galloped at that statement. Jensen felt it too? Had every cell in his body screamed my name the first time we locked eyes? Or was he just another mindless admirer from a long list of guys who only saw a beautiful face? I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know. I didn’t feel like having my feelings crushed again so soon.

  “Are you going to see him again?” Van asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

  “I kind of have to, Van. He’s your boyfriend’s best friend.”

  She frowned at my evasion tactics. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

  “I…” I couldn’t finish that sentence. Not with what I had just seen.

  Several guys were standing in the entranceway of the lobby. They were talking loudly and pointing to various things around them.

  “Van,” I squealed softly. “Look. Over there. Look.” I jabbed my finger at the group of men because my brain had gone fuzzy and words were failing me.

  She followed my gaze, an amused expression danced across her face. “Oh, yeah. Did I forget to mention that?”

  I looked at her, deep bewilderment pooling in my eyes. “You knew? And you didn’t tell me?”

  She took a calming breath and then looked at me like I was a five-year-old. “Maxie, you’re going to see a lot of celebrities while working here. It’s not that big of a deal. They’re just people.”

  “But…but…,” I sputtered, still trying to process what I was seeing. “That’s Ryan Everheart. The Ryan Everheart!”

  “I know,” Van said, hushing me. “You need to calm down.”

  I looked at her like she had grown another head. Was she crazy? It was Ryan Everheart. The hottest heartthrob ever to grace the screen. I had been in love with him since his movie debut, and trust me, he totally deserved it. I didn’t know anyone who didn’t swoon when he came on screen.

  “Oh my God,” I whispered, trying to catch my breath. “It’s Ryan Everheart.”

  “Yes,” she said, annoyed. “We’ve established that.” She tugged on my arm, turning me away from my Golden God. “You remember that movie you tried out for?”

  I nodded absently. Of course, I remember that movie. Why would she bring up that horrid memory at a time like this?

  “They’re filming some scenes here and Ryan’s the male lead.”

  My breath caught in my throat. He was playing Mitch? I could have acted with him? I could have kissed him? I felt woozy suddenly, like the world had decided to spin out of control.

  “Maxie, are you alright?”

  I steadied myself, my body shaking slightly. It didn’t matter. I was terrible before meeting him. There was no way I could have even functioned next to him. “Yeah, I’m okay,” I lied, trying to get myself under control.

  “Okay,” she said with a slight smile. “Here they come. Try not to embarrass me.” She turned to the counter, waiting like the professional she was.

  The four men sauntered over to us. I recognized the one next to Ryan. He was one of the panel at my failed audition. The nasty one. I turned away, busying myself. The last thing I wanted was for him to recognize me and say something in front of Ryan.

  “Welcome, Mr. Taylor. Mr. Everheart,” Van greeted them warmly. “I’m honored to have you here.”

  “Yes, thank you,” the mean guy said, his voice as harsh as the first time I heard it.

  I gasped softly as I straightened the paperwork in front of me. Mr. Taylor? No way. I had auditioned in front of Zand Taylor? He was only the best director in the whole world. And apparently, he thought I stunk.

  “I’ll be showing Ryan around today,” Zand told her. “I want to get his opinion on some shots. Can you see that we’re not disturbed?”

  Van hesitated for a second. “Mr. Taylor, this is a public hotel. I can’t keep people from coming in,” she told him honestly.

  “You better,” he said before walking away. The two other men, who I assumed were assistants, followed obediently behind him. He stopped when he realized Ryan hadn’t moved. “You coming, Everheart?”

  “Go ahead,” Ryan told him. “I’ll catch up.”

  A muscle twitched under Zand Taylor’s right eye before he turned and quickly disappeared down one of the hallways. I guess he was always like that. Here I thought it had just been a reaction to my performance.

  “Is there something else I can do for you, Mr. Everheart?” Van asked.

  “Please, call me Ryan,” he said, his voice as thick and smooth as honey. “And yes, I’d like to stay here this week, get to know every secret of this place.” He glanced around the lobby, seemingly as taken with the place as I had been. “Is one of your suites available?”

  Van was all business as her fingers clicked across the computer keyboard. “Yes, I do have one available.” How could she stay so calm at a time like this?

  “Great. I’d like it for at least a week. Will that work?”

  “No problem, it’s all yours,” she said, clicking away.

  I watched out of the corner of my eye as she entered his info. I couldn’t believe I was this close to Ryan Everheart. I could even smell his cologne. It was deep and musky, reminding me of the outdoors on a warm night. It was the perfect scent for him.

  Tall, blond, blue-eyed. Every inch the Golden God I had grown so infatuated with. If I could live in this very moment, breathing in his scent and gazing upon him for the rest of my life, I would die a happy woman.

  “Maxie. Earth to Maxie,” Van said, pulling me from my stupor. “Can you please get the key to room 519?”

  “Uh, sure,” I said, grabbing the key off the wall. I felt my face heat up as I turned to the counter.

  Ryan stood there, staring at me. His gaze washing over me as I froze on the spot. Great, my Hollywood crush must think I’m a complete moron. I just prayed to God there wasn’t any drool on my chin. That would definitely seal my moron fate.

  What was I doing? I had never frozen like that before. But I’d never come face to face with a God before, either. I forced myself to take a step closer, breathing in more of his scent. “Here you go,” I said, smiling my best smile. At least, I hoped it was my best smile. Considering the way I was acting, I could have looked more like an angry wolverine. I took a deep breath and placed the key in his hand.

  He took it, gently brushing his fingers against mine.

  My heart rate slowed at his touch. Calm washed over me, centering me. I felt my lips relax into a genuine smile. See, look. This was no big deal, right?

  “Thank you, Maxie,” he said softly, his lips turning my name into a work of art. He held my gaze as we stood there. It felt like he wanted to say something with those eyes, but I was too content to worry about the meaning. All the doubt and worry that had been rattling around in my head since Stephen had left me was silenced. Staring into his eyes, I was at peace.

  “Well,” he said, stepping away from the counter. “I better go catch up with Zand. He gets upset if he’s ignored too long.” He turned, then glanced back over his shoulder. “I’m sure I’ll see you two around,” he said with a smile before heading into one of the hallways.

  “What was that,” Van asked as soon as he left.

  “What do you mean?” I countered with my own question.

  “You know what I mean.”

  I looked at her, heat in my cheeks. “What? I barely said two words to the guy.”

  “I saw the look in your eyes, Max,” s
he told me, shaking her head. “He’s a movie star. He’s used to making women swoon. It’s what they do. That little look you two shared meant nothing to him.”

  I turned around, straightening more papers. “Of course, it didn’t, Van. I know that. It’s just…how often do you get a chance to say you flirted with Ryan Everheart?”

  She nodded reluctantly. “True,” she admitted before going back to work.

  I let out a deep sigh when she was gone. I wasn’t sure what happened between Ryan and me, but it definitely didn’t feel like just flirting.

  Ten

  I got out of the taxi and looked at the impressive apartment building. I still couldn’t believe I lived here. The old Maxie would have insisted you were joking if you told her she’d end up living this life. But the new Maxie, well let me tell you, that girl was loving life.

  I had a job I loved, an amazing place to live, good friends, and maybe, just maybe, a potential love interest. Yes, I had to say things were going quite well in the Maxie Universe.

  I even got to meet Ryan Everheart.

  I was still reeling over that one. I practically floated past the doors and in through the lobby, my mind lingering on the feel of his fingers against mine. Being close to him had been magical. It certainly would fuel my fantasies for years to come.

  I made my way to the back hallway, entering the elevator and closing the doors. I pushed the button for the top floor, leaning back against the metal cage.

  Van had to work late. She got to be the lucky one to see to Zand Taylor’s every wish. I guess that’s what happened when you ran a place like that. At least she got to be near a certain heart throb.

  Oh, Ryan. My thoughts went back to him as the elevator slowly climbed. I let my eyes close, images of “Us” filling my head. There was something special about him. And I didn’t mean famous. He had left a deep imprint on me I couldn’t shake.