Page 29 of Tide and Seek
“I’m sorry you went through all that, Max.”
He let out a tired sigh.“Thanks.After Lucinda’s death, my confidence was in tatters and my reputation under attack.My colleagues looked at me with suspicion, and even people I’d considered kind of friends turned their backs on me.”A muscle worked in his cheek.“I felt alone.Honestly, other than my surgical team, I think James was the only one who believed me when I said I hadn’t made a mistake during the surgery.”
“It’s good that you had James there by your side.”
He glanced at me.“He was a good friend back then.”
“I’m sure he was.”My smile felt stiff but I made myself add, “He seems like a great guy.”
Some of the tension left Max’s face, and he touched my hand.“I appreciate that you’re not resentful of James.I’m sure it’s awkward for you.I don’t have as much in common with him as I once did, and we’ve definitely grown apart, but he was there when I needed him.I can’t just forget that.”
“No, of course not.”
He truly did look relieved.“You’re good for me, Royce.You’re rational and calm.You’re everything I need in a partner.”
Guilt nudged me because if he could have read my earlier thoughts about James, he wouldn’t have been very pleased with me.“Well, I’m not perfect, but I care about you more than anyone else in the world, Max.I just want you happy.”
His smile held genuine warmth, and he leaned in to kiss me.I relished the feel of his mouth on mine, and some of my stress drained away.I was acting like a fool.Max loved me.I knew that with every fiber of my being.Hell, he’d even suggested we get married.Sure, he hadn’t mentioned it since, but that was okay.There was no rush.
I needed to stop being a big baby and just enjoy this trip with Max.How lucky was I to have a wonderful, sexy, rich boyfriend who wanted to treat me like a king on vacation?Sure, the trip might have had a rocky start, but everything would probably be smooth sailing from here on out.
Chapter Seven
Maxwell
After our lunch, we stopped at the Malibu Country Mart to pick up some groceries.I was still embarrassed to be riding in the Hummer, but felt a little better when I saw other Hummers on the road, along with several of those ridiculous-looking Tesla Cybertrucks.
Once home, I put away most of the groceries since I knew where things went, while Royce stored our lunch leftovers in the fridge.We’d probably bought way too much food, but Royce had insisted he wanted to cook some of our meals.He seemed worried about taking advantage of me, which felt silly.But Royce hadn’t grown up with money, and he couldn’t seem to just relax and let me treat him.It was a bit frustrating.I understood he was a proud man, but I wanted to take care of him just as he always took care of me.
“Ready to start the inventory?”Royce asked, closing the refrigerator door with a gentle push of his hip.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light.I gathered my laptop, a notepad, and a pen, and then the doorbell rang.“The universe really doesn’t want me to do this inventory, does it?”I grumbled.
“Maybe it’s a delivery?”Royce shrugged.
“Of what?I didn’t order anything.”I scowled when the doorbell rang again, followed by an erratic series of knocks.“Why am I suddenly so popular?”
I got up and went to the door, peering through the glass panels on either side.A lanky figure stood on the porch, shifting from foot to foot, and I recognized him as Luke Westbrook.To say I was surprised was putting it mildly.My weed-loving neighbor had never once dropped by, despite our living in the same small community for years.The only times we’d ever really socialized were when we bumped into each other on the beach or at parties C.J.or James hosted.For him to show up on my doorstep without warning was highly unusual.
“It’s my neighbor, Luke,” I hissed, meeting Royce’s curious gaze over my shoulder.
“The druggie?”Royce asked, one brow raised.
“The very same.”I laughed gruffly.“Seems we’ll have a chance to talk to him after all.”
“Looks like it.”
I opened the door and Luke stood there blinking, his hand raised as if he’d been about to knock again.
“Doctor Max,” he exclaimed with a crooked smile.
“Hello, Luke.Long time no see,” I said brightly.
“You’re really here.C.J.said you were back, but I couldn’t believe it was true.”He looked like he’d just stepped out of a hurricane, messy sun-bleached hair hanging in a greasy curtain over his face.He wore a faded Hawaiian shirt buttoned wrong so one side drooped lower than the other, orange swim trunks, and no shoes.
“Really?”I shifted.“Why not?”
He appeared uncertain of how to respond, but then said, “I guess because you’ve been gone so long, I didn’t think you’d bother coming back.”He attempted to run a hand through his shaggy hair, but his tanned fingers caught in a snarl and he gave up.“I just came by to borrow a cup of sugar.”
