Page 62 of Taken By the Fae

I arch a brow. “Where?”

“It’s almost ten o’clock.” He takes a step forward and leans in the doorway.

“Okay…”

“We’re going out.”

“You want me to go out with you?” I arch a brow. “Did Skylar drug your coffee or something?”

He offers a little fake laugh and shoots me a pointed look. “No, but she told me to invite you, so I am. Plus, it’ll make Oliver happy.”

I immediately frown. “Did Skylar invite him? She better not be screwing with him to get to me.”

Max crosses his arms and sighs so softly I almost miss it. “I invited him.”

I blink in surprise. “Oh. I didn’t know you were—”

“Gay?” he cuts in with a slight smirk.

“Into humans,” I clarify.

He shrugs. “Just because I don’t like you most of the time doesn’t mean I don’t like humans. You don’t represent them all, blondie.”

I flip him off. “How do you even know Oliver?”

“He was fake-dating your fae bestie, and I met him when I was looking for you.”

“I know it’s not against the rules to be with a human, but I’m still surprised.” Oliver and Max? I try to picture it, but I can’t.

He laughs, and I’m pretty sure it’s the first time I’ve ever heard something so genuine come out of his mouth. “There are rules to protect us from being exposed, but none that explicitly say ‘don’t fuck the humans,’ so I think I’m safe.”

I press my lips together against a smile. “Does Tristan know about you and him?”

“He does.”

I nod as I close my laptop and start gathering my things. “Where are we going?” I ask, then mutter, “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” under my breath.

Max rolls his eyes. “Relax, blondie. We’re just going to a bar.” He walks out of the boardroom, and I stare at the empty doorway.

* * *

Sitting around a bar table with Max and Skylar isn’t something I thought I’d ever be doing, yet here I am, sipping a virgin margarita. With Skylar and I working on gala stuff in the morning, I figured I’d better play it safe. She and Max don’t follow suit.

The music is loud, but not enough that we can't hear each other speak. Not that any of us say much. The large room is lit with dim track lighting and spotlights from the stage at the front.

Skylar glances at her nails and frowns. “This is boring.”

Max takes a swig of his beer and shoots her a quick grin. “You’re just cranky. Finish your drink, and you’ll feel better.”

She glares at him, but doesn’t disagree.

Oliver chooses that moment to arrive, which puts Max in a better mood. The way his entire face changes when Oliver gets here is incredible. I’ve never seen it before. It’s nice. It makes him seem more human.

“Ready?” Max asks, turning to me.

I arch a brow. “For what?”

Skylar chuckles. “You didn’t tell her?”

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