Page 106 of Party Favors

“Everly?” he said, his eyebrows raising as he turned toward Sunny. “Is that the same one that Max—”

Sunny put both of her hands on my arms and said, “Can I talk to you real fast, Everly?”

She dragged me away from her husband and took me over to the base of the stairs. “Sorry about him,” she said. “Men. Always saying things they shouldn’t.”

That hadn’t really been my experience. I couldn’t get Max to say anything to me.

“There is something I want to tell you,” she went on, “and I hope you don’t take this the wrong way.”

Now I felt anxious and concerned. “Is there something wrong with the shower?”

“What? No! It’s sheer perfection and you are an event-planning goddess. I want to say something about Max.”

“You wouldn’t be the first person today to do so,” I told her.

She frowned slightly but pressed on. “Max has been really hurt in the past. There are people who have taken advantage of him and his good nature. Please treat him well.”

“I intend to,” I said, feeling a little breathless. Had Max asked her to speak to me?

No, he wouldn’t have done that. But they were close, and if Sunny had felt like she needed to say something ...

She might not be literally speaking for Max, but these could still be his words.

“You make him really happy,” she said. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him like this.”

While I wanted to discuss this with her until we were both sick of the topic, I heard new voices and realized that some guests had started arriving. I would have to explain the different events to every new person who came in and Sunny needed to say hello to her guests.

“We should get back out there,” I told her. “People have started arriving.”

It was easy to slip into event planner mode, to make sure that everyone had a glass of champagne and an idea of where they should head next. About half an hour after all one hundred of her guests had arrived, we would start preparing to serve the luncheon. Sunny wouldn’tbe opening presents as was customary since she planned on donating them all. She had thought it would be a nice touch for the new recipients to leave them in the wrapping paper.

Everything was going perfectly until Max walked in and I suddenly forgot how to speak.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Max was dressed upscale casual—khaki pants and a light blue button-down that matched his eyes perfectly. While I had known he was going to knock me off my feet, I hadn’t adequately prepared myself for how heavy the blow would be.

He handed his coat to the staff member I’d assigned to the job and he turned, his gaze landing on mine.

I stood there and stared at him. What was I supposed to say? Some nagging part of my brain was trying to remind me that I had something important to tell him, but in that moment I could not remember what it was.

He came over to me. “Everly, you look beautiful.”

Then he pressed a soft kiss to my left cheek, lingering there, until he pulled back slightly to do the same to my right cheek. My body flushed under his touch and from his proximity.

Max, Max, Max,my hormones called out to him, willing me to throw myself into his arms.

“Thank you,” I said after he finished. And whether that was for the compliment he’d paid me or the hello kiss, I wasn’t sure.

His lips parted and he took in a short breath, like he intended to do ... something. Speak?

Kiss me?

But I didn’t get to find out because Margot Belmont arrived and claimed him. “Max! I’m so glad you were able to join us. Let me show you around.”

Then he left with her. He said nothing to me and just left.

Again.

---