Page 111 of Maximum Dare
“You went to all that trouble to confess your love and try to protect me.” Nick smirked. “That’s pretty romantic.”
Max was stone-faced, sipping his drink like this wasn’t awkward and we weren’t all on the edge of reason. I gave him a reassuring smile.
Tell him, Max.
Nick pointed to my drink. “That was nice of you, Max. Thank you for making her feel welcome.”
Max gave him a nod and then took a sip of his drink. What followed was a troubled moment of silence.
I smiled at Max again.Please, tell him.
“Well, I should, um…” Nick pointed to the door.
“We have something to tell you,” I burst out.
“Oh?” Nick flashed a wary look at his brother.
Max gave a nod. “We, as in Daisy and I…”
“You’re here!” said Gillian.
We turned to look at the strikingly beautiful presence in the doorway. Their mum was dressed in a long red gown that hugged her tall, lithe body. “You’re all hiding in here.” She narrowed her gaze on me. “Is that Daisy Whitby?”
“Yes, it’s me.” I tried not to wince.
“Didn’t recognize you at first. I do love that dress.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Banham.”
“Please, call me Gillian.”
“Or you could call her Mum.” Nick howled.
Max and I both cringed.
“Come on,” insisted Gillian. “Come join your guests. They’re wondering where you are, Nick.”
Max and I swapped a knowing smile.
We left the room to rejoin the party.
With Nick and Max on either side, I was introduced to their friends and family. If they recognized me from my previous disastrous visit, they were all kind enough not to say anything. Not to my face, anyway.
After an hour or so we joined a crowd who’d gathered in the kitchen, a more intimate group of friends who were amiable and welcoming. Included were some of Nick’s football buddies and an aunt and uncle who were a big deal in the music industry. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement—the thrill of old friends being together again.
There’d been no good moment to tell Nick. Still, he was going to hear it soon. Or maybe he’d guess.
I couldn’t stand being this close to Max and not touching him. Not having him reach out and wrap his arm around my shoulder. From the way Max was frowning at me, he felt this same frustration, too.
Nick hopped up close to me. “Daisy, are you going to tell me what you’ve been up to lately?”
“How do you mean?”
“You seem…different.”
The room hushed and all eyes turned my way. I felt an uncomfortable sting of self-consciousness. Though this time, instead of getting looks of disapproval as the girl who’d been bouncing up and down on the cover of the family swimming pool, these were looks of expectation.
“Tell them what you’ve been doing, Daisy.” Max raised his glass to encourage me.
