Page 32 of Shadowed Rubies
Max was glaring at me as if he couldn’t quite believe it either. Geesh, he was impossibly handsome––even when he was completely pissed off.
“What do you mean break up?” He snarled before adding, “This has to be some kind of sick joke.”
Doubling-down, I said, “No, I really think it’s for the best.”
“Was it the sex?” Max asked, looking uncharacteristically unsure of himself.
Wanting to immediately appease that worry, I said, “No, the sex was fantastic.”
Clearly forgetting his anger for a moment, Max grinned down at me and said, “I know, right?” He nuzzled into my cheek before whipping his head back up, obviously remembering my strange announcement. “So, why in the world would you suggest that we end things?”
“A couple of reasons,” I said logically, before pausing to think through how to word this. When one of his black brows shot up nearly to his hairline, I quickly went on. “For one thing, I know you say my hang-ups in the bedroom don’t bother you now, but they’re sure to start getting to you at some point.”
When I waved a hand vaguely over my shirt, Max shook his head. “I told you it was no big deal, and it isn’t. I can live without booby action, if it means I get to be with you. So, I don’t want to ever hear you mention that again. Got it?”
I nodded, even though I still felt self-conscious about it. Since he had brushed that concern aside again, I said, “More importantly, my career is in Boston and yours is here. There isn’t any point in us continuing to see each other and further falling for each other when we know it can’t work out in the long-term, since long-distance relationships never last.”
Max bent his elbow to lean his head on his fist and look down at me. “Why is it that when we finally allow ourselves to have mind-blowing sex and proclaim our love for each other that you suddenly decided there isn’t any way for us to make it work? Are you frightened of how strong our feelings are for each other?”
I picked at an invisible piece of lint on the blanket as I pondered if he might just be right about that. Unwilling to admit it, I said, “No, Dr. Freud. You can stop psychoanalyzing me. I just don’t want either of us to get any more hurt than necessary.”
“I don’t think my heart could be shattered any more than it already will be if you truly don’t want to be with me.” The intense, loving gaze he showered down on me melted the steel fence of resolve I was working so hard to erect around my heart.
“I’ve worked too hard for my career to let it flounder by staying here.” I admitted, as I stared up at the ceiling, unable to hold his steady gaze.
He surprised me by saying, “I know. That’s why I’m coming with you to Boston.”
My mouth opened and closed a few times as I tried to process this revelation. I couldn’t picture Max in a big city. Finally, I said, “But you love it here.”
“I love you more,” he smiled before kissing the tip of my nose.
“And your family is here.” I was certain I was going to raise a point he hadn’t yet thought about.
“So is yours,” he reminded me, before adding, “It’s not like it’s the other side of the world. Boston is just a few hours south of here, so we can drive up or they can come down to visit whenever we like.”
Knowing that this would end up being the deal-breaker, I said, “What about your job?”
Max shook his head and grinned down at me. “There are fires in Boston, too. Actually, I’ll probably get to see a lot more action down there than I ever would here.”
That realization made me wince. I hated the idea of Max running into a burning building. I was glad he had, though, when he saved my sweet and handsome little man, Bruiser.
Not seeming to sense my concern, Max went on. “I’m sure that with my experience, I’ll get hired on with one of the city crews easily enough.”
He had an answer for each objection that I brought up. The man seemed determined to give up his life here to follow me, so I could continue my dream career. It was almost too good to be true. Giving him one last potential out, I said, “But Brunswick Bay Harbor is your home.”
Shaking his head in exasperation, he said, “My home is and always will be with you.”
Thrilled by his answers and not quite believing how wonderful he was, I rolled on top of him to welcome him home.
36
Max
My family was not at all happy with my plan to follow Dani to Boston. They didn’t understand why I would leave what they considered to be the perfect small-town, rural living environment in stunning Maine to live in the crowded big city.
“We’ll be able to have food delivered in the middle of the night. We can go on historic tours and visit museums.”
Ignoring Molly’s scoff at the idea that I might actually develop my sense of culture, I went on. “I can even take a walk through Harvard Yard and then tell everyone I went to Harvard.”
