Page 116 of Maximum Dare
I entered the mansion, keeping my head low so I didn’t have to look anyone in the eye.
Gillian met me in the foyer. “Is he gone?”
I nodded, and met her gaze.
She gave me a thin smile. “Max didn’t say goodbye.”
The void he had left behind felt like a black hole, sucking all the oxygen and joy from the world. The cold air wafting in from the open door chilled my bones.
Gillian stepped forward and closed the door. “It’s for the best.”
“You don’t really believe that?”
“Daisy, Nick needs you now more than ever.”
I sighed. “I still care about Nick, but I’ll never stop loving his brother.”
“It’s over.” She gave an elegant shrug. “He’s gone.”
“I need to talk to him.”
“He’ll be fine. Have you seen Brazilian women? They are incomparable.”
“Why would you say such a thing?”
“My youngest son needs you more. Don’t let him down.”
“You’ve always preferred Nick.”
“Max is the strong one. The wise one. The one who can look after himself. Max doesn’t do love. Not even with me.”
“That isn’t true. He adores you.”
“Deep down he hates me for what I did to him.”
“You’re wrong. He’s forgiven you.”
“You have no right to express any opinions about my family.”
“Max and I—”
She gripped my arm. “You’re a passing infatuation. Nothing more.”
“Let go of me.”
Her hand slipped to her side. “Do the right thing.”
“That’s just it, Gillian. Maxhasdone the right thing. Again. He’s put himself last. He’s stepped away so that everyone else can be happy at his expense. When are you going to let him have his happiness?”
“There you are—” She looked down the hallway at Nick, who was coming toward us. “Nick, dear, we were just talking about you.”
“I thought I’d get some fresh air.” He nudged up beside me. “Daisy, want to come with me? We can sit by the pool.” He gave me a mischievous wink. “I promise to hold onto your hand so you don’t fall in.”
“She’d love to.” Gillian’s glare let me know she insisted I go with him.
She had long ago put aside her conflicted emotions and done the wrong thing.
And now she was asking the same from me.
