Page 28 of Now or Never

Adam spun around to find Max standing in the doorway, holding a sledgehammer in one hand and covered head to toe in drywall dust.

“Sorry, I’ve been busy.”

“With who?”

Adam reared back. “Um, notwho,what. Ethan’s build has taken on a life of its own, and we’re coming down to the wire with Float Fest.”

Max nodded. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”

Adam rolled his shoulders as he slipped his tool belt around his waist and buckled it. “Go on, then.”

“It’s about Chelsea. I’m worried about you. She’s exactly your type.”

“Well, fear not, Maximilian,” Adam said. “We are only friends. And I don’t have a type.”

Max raised an eyebrow. “Youdon’t have a type?”

Adam laughed and shook his head. “All women who say yes to me are my type.”

Max shook his head, but a smile came through the scowl. “Fair enough. But still, you know you like ’em like Chelsea. Quirky, funny, short, blond, lots of curves.”

“And all the other ones, too.”

Adam pushed past Max toward the kitchen, where they were starting the demo. They were taking the place down to the studs and starting with a clean slate, which was going to be a ton of work but absolutely worth it. He pushed a pair of safety goggles over his eyes before reaching for his own sledgehammer, hoping Max was going to drop the whole Chelsea thing. He got a few satisfying swings in before Max piped up again.

“The thing is—”

Adam’s phone rang from his pocket, cutting Max off. When he pulled it out and looked at the caller ID, he smiled. “I gotta take this, sorry,” he said and answered.

“Uncle David!”

“Nephew Adam!” His uncle’s voice boomed through the phone.

Max rolled his eyes and began smashing the wall down with a huge, and frankly scary, amount of force.

“How’s it going?” he asked as he stepped out of the room, searching in vain for quiet.

“Excellent, as always. I heard you went to bat for a pretty blond.”

Here we go again.

“Is there anything you don’t hear?”

“When it comes to you? No. Who is she?”

“She’s a Monroe from Mapleton, Victor Monroe’s niece, with the potential to be Ethan’s sister-in-law.”

“So . . . not a girl you’re trying to impress?”

“Just a friend.”

“That’s unfortunate,” Uncle David said, and Adam could hear his uncle deflate. “I was hoping she would be the one.”

Adam rolled his eyes. “Stop hoping things. What do you need?”

“I’m glad you asked. I need to know how you’re going to handle this film shoot in your little haven over there.”

“Are you worried about me?” Adam asked, trying to inject some sarcasm.

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