Wren checks her mental calendar, eyes on the ceiling. “Home. So we’ll hang out with your brother or sister. Or what about Eleanor and Dion?”
Max and I light up, remembering at the same time as we lock eyes, “Oh yeah!”
Wren looks at us, “What?”
He walks over, motions my way. “I ran into Eleanor at Trader Joe’s and she wanted to set me up with Natalie!”
As Wren’s confused glance switches from him to me, I explain, “Eleanor’s a friend of mine. We were counselors for a summer camp a few seasons and we still keep in touch.”
“No way! Eleanor’s my best friend! That’s amazing.” Wren looks at Max, “So that’s how you two met?”
“Nah, she hijacked my interviews, total coincidence. Happened after the fact. Wild, huh?”
Eric’s eyebrows are up on a grin as he crosses his arms. “There are no coincidences.”
Max eyes him, “Okay, Buddha.”
Eric offers, “Why don’t you guys stay for lunch? We can call Eleanor and Dion up, see if they want to join us.”
If my heart wasn’t trapped by my ribs it would be on the ceiling right now. But then it would splatter on the floor a second later as I suddenly realize I can’t let this couples-lunch-fun-time happen, and keep my feelings for Max at a safe distance.
Safe for him.
Safe for me.
If Paul finds out where I am, I don’t know what will happen. I’m taking a huge risk as it is. And the fact that I’m starting to feel very attached to Max, when I have to vanish the second his film wraps, is torture.
“I’m sorry, I have to be at work soon.”
Those green eyes I can’t stop looking at lose their light. “Oh right. Sorry, Eric. I’ve only got this beauty on loan. Her main gig is demanding most of her time. I’m just happy she gives me as much of her calendar as she does.” He flashes a smile, but anyone breathing could see that he’s disappointed in turning the invitation down.
“Another time. So the place is yours. Anything else you need to check out?”
“No. We’ll stay out of the bedrooms like I told you. The guest bathroom will be the only one available. I’ll make sure we leave it just like we found it. Natalie will be on my ass if I don’t.”
Grateful he didn’t throw me under the bus about the work-excuse I smile, “That’s right. Do you mind if I throw this cup away?”
Wren motions to the kitchen. “The recycling bin is to the right of the stove.”
“I’m not worried,” Eric shrugs to Max, still on the subject of respecting his home. “I know you’ll take good care of the place. And if you don’t, I know where you live. I know your family.”
Max fakes confusion. “You do? How?”
“I’m not giving away my secrets. Let’s just say we’re close.”
They hug, smacking each other’s gorgeous backs before Max turns to say goodbye to Wren, kissing her hair again, his hand briefly cupping her head. “Great to see you looking so happy. Glad I was a part of that.”
Eric razzes him, “Oh, it’s all about you, huh?”
“I’m the reason you’re both wearing wedding rings!” Scissoring his pointed fingers at their hands he says, “This was all me, don’t you forget it! You better name your first born Max!”
“I can’t wait not to do that,” his cousin jokes as the couple walks us out.
While we wait for the elevator, I tell Wren, “Say hi to El for me.”
“I will! This was such a cool coincidence.” Her eyes flick to Max. “Small world!”
“It’ll feel even smaller when you name your first born after me.”
“Okay, fine.”
“Really?”
“No!” She slides her arm around Eric’s waist. “No way.”
“Come on!”
“Bye Max.”
I pull him on the elevator, and he play-fights me by pretending to attack them. “Why you ungrateful…!” He laughs and joins me in the car, holding the button to make sure the doors don’t close yet. “Seriously though you guys, thanks for this. The production value of the shots we’ll get here, amazing. So good. Thank you for the opportunity.”
Eric makes a face, “Max, cut it out. You’re family. If I needed your loft, would you hand me the keys?”
“In a heartbeat.”
“There ya go. Now get your girl to work.”
We wave as the doors whoosh us back to reality. Max and I ride down, and walk out to his Jeep in silence. As he opens the door for me I turn to tell him, “Thank you for not contradicting me back there.”
Somber he blinks to my mouth, lingers there. “You lied about work.”
“I stretched the truth.”
“You told me on the phone that you don’t have to go in until tonight.”
“And I have things I have to get done at home before then.”
“Ah.” His eyes drop to my hand as he takes it and guides me into the Jeep. He doesn’t look at me again and my stomach twists as I helplessly watch his frown walk around to the driver’s side as he chews on his cheek in thought. More silence on the road home. I don’t think he’ll say another word, so finally, not able to take it anymore, I clear my throat.
“Max, you said your heart is a hard nut to crack so why are you acting like—”
“It’s just lunch, Natalie.” He glances to me, frown deepening.
“I know, but—”
“But nothing. It’s just lunch.” He pulls up to my apartment and instinctually I glance up to A.J.’s window to tell if he’s home. Max starts to get out and I touch his arm.
“Don’t. I can get out on my own.”
He sucks his teeth but doesn’t argue as I climb out. What am I supposed to say?
I don’t want to fall in love with you.
CHAPTER 17
M AX
“So this is where you rest your head.”
Natalie smiles, “That’s a funny way of putting it,” watching me pick up a small elephant statue from a shelf in
