Page 79 of The Perils of Pretending
“There must be another humpback over there.” Max points in the direction the spout came from.
“I see it!” Dorian points twenty feet behind the spray we saw.
Act like he’s not there.“Come on, let’s see if we can see more on the other side of the boat.” I take Max’s hand, tugging him to follow me. I don’t look back to see if Dorian is coming too, because I’m certain he is. I lead us to my Aunt Ruthie, her husband Scott, and their twin girls, Laura and Lonna, at the back of the boat. “Hey!” I say, super chipper and friendly. “Did you see the whales?”
Lonna points to the side of the boat we came from. “There’s a few over there and a ton back here. If you look south, you’ll see ’em.”
I settle at the railing, holding on again. Max comes behind me, putting one arm around my waist, the other on the railing. Dorian tries to get between Lonna and me, but I pull Max closer to my cousin and we close the gap, forcing Dorian to move.
Dorian stands on the other side of Lonna. He hasn’t left us, but it will be easier to focus on the whales and my cousins and ignore him with more people around me.
“I see why my dad wanted me to experience this.” Every time I see a whale surface, jump, or blow water in the air, my heart leaps in my chest and brightness fills my heart.It’s beautiful and majestic, Dad. Thank you for being with me as I experience the grandeur of this earth and the treasures within.
“I envy the tour guides,” Max says.
“Because they get to see this every day?”
“Exactly.”
I turn my head, facing Lonna. “Is this your first time whale watching?”
She smiles. “No. I’ve been a dozen or so times.”
Of course she has. I don’t know why I asked such a dumb question. Most people would probably be jealous of the life of luxury Lonna andLaura have, but I know the strings tied to being an Ashcombe. “Are you bored?”
She laughs. “Not at all.”
Max and I stay by my extended family, using them as shields for another two hours until my feet throb. We sit on a bench at the front of the boat, purposely taking up the entire space, leaving no room for Dorian. He doesn’t leave like one would hope. He stands next to us, invading our privacy. I keep acting like he isn’t there.
“I can’t decide which is cuter.” I shake my head. “The humpbacks or the orcas.”
“Why does one have to be pitted against the other? Why can’t you like both for who they are?”
I turn my head to the side, looking at Max. “Is this Principal Warner speaking? Because it sounds like wise advice.”
Max smirks. “We’re one and the same.”
“Really?” I say, acting shocked. “Are you sure? I don’t think the Max I know is capable of such profound statements.”
Max’s brows rise. “Is that a challenge?”
I grin saucily. “I believe it is.”
Max shifts on the bench, until he’s facing me. He takes one hand, cupping my cheek.
My pulse goes wild like it’s throwing a frat party. “Can I help you?” My voice comes out breathy.
Max tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear, trailing his fingertips down my jaw. A channel of heat flows everywhere he touches me. We’re on a boat with eight other people, but right now, it feels like we’re in our own little world. No one else exists. It’s just us. “Yeah, by not talking for a second.”
In any other circumstance, I’d scoff and roll my eyes. But Max’s tone isn’t bossy, it’s reverent like he’s concentrating and needs silence.
I oblige, staring into his brown eyes. They’re a lighter shade than mine, almost golden in the sun. I swallow hard.
“You surprise me in the best way. Like theBook on Humilityyou gave me for my birthday this morning.” Max places a tender kiss on my forehead. “You’re fascinating.” He kisses me on my left cheek. “Captivating.” He kisses my right cheek.
I drag air in, forcing my lungs to work. I know Max is putting on a show because Dorian is here, but my heart begs for this to be real. For the words Max is saying to be true, that he really feels that way about me.
“Brave.” Max softly presses his lips to mine.
