Page 70 of Tide and Seek
“I am.How about we meet at my office in Malibu at 11:00 a.m.?Does that work for you?”
“Sure.”
“Great.”She looked pleased.“So, Royce, I understand you’re the sheriff of Rainy Dale?”
“I am.”
As Royce chatted with Jane, a crazy idea struck me.Over lunch, it had been clear that both Royce and I wanted marriage someday, but I wanted to be the one to propose.I needed to show Royce I wanted it every bit as much as he did.With that in mind, it might be very romantic if I proposed to him on this trip.He wouldn’t expect it.The problem was I didn’t have a ring.When I popped the question, I wanted to do it properly, with something elegant.Definitely something nicer than I could find in Rainy Dale.
Jane’s request that I meet her in town tomorrow was the perfect opportunity to go ring shopping.I’d be on my own, and there was no question the selection would be better in Malibu than in a little town like Rainy Dale.My heart raced at the thought of buying rings and actually proposing to Royce on this trip.He wouldn’t see it coming, which would make it all the more special.
“Well, it was so nice meeting you, Royce,” Jane said, cutting into my thoughts.“I’m going to go refresh my drink and snag some of that barbecued shrimp I saw inside.I’ll see you tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.Max.”
“I’ll be there,” I said brightly, barely able to contain my excitement at the idea of shopping for a ring for Royce.
“She’s nice,” Royce said, as we watched Jane go inside the house.
“Jane’s great.I was lucky to find her.”
“Maxwell,” a familiar male voice called from behind me.
I groaned inwardly and turned to see Phoenix approaching with what looked like a martini glass filled with something disturbingly green.“I made this for you.”
Wrinkling my brow, I asked, “Why?”
He looked momentarily taken aback, but then pushed forward.“It’s my signature Executive Detox Cocktail.Organic vodka, wheatgrass, spirulina, and a dash of chlorophyll to optimize your cellular function.Think of it as a hostile takeover of pharmaceutical toxins in your system.”
I stared at the murky liquid, positive it would taste as disgusting as it looked.“That’s very thoughtful, but—”
“It’s completely organic,” he continued unabashed.“I’ve streamlined my recipe to include only the highest-grade superfoods.The wheatgrass is grown in my apartment using blue-light optimization technology.And yes, there’s vodka in it—but think of it as a delivery system for the nutrients.”
“I don’t think that’s how alcohol works,” I murmured.
“Most people don’t realize that nutrition is just another market that needs strategic innovation.When you leverage ancient wisdom with modern efficiency principles...”He gestured expansively.“Exponential consciousness growth.”
I scowled.“But… I don’t want to drink that sludge.”
C.J.appeared at my elbow.“Max, Royce, I need help in the kitchen.Can you please come help me?”
“You need help in the kitchen?”I repeated, confused.I wasn’t known for my culinary skills.
“Yes,” she said pointedly.“I need you and Royce to come help me.”She stared into my eyes so intensely, I finally grasped she was trying to rescue us.
“Oh, uh… of course.We… would love to help.”I turned to Phoenix.“I… don’t want that drink.Maybe you should drink it.”
“But I made it for you.”
I tried to come up with a polite excuse, but nothing came to me, so I just turned and walked away, and C.J.and Royce hurried after me.
“I’m so sorry,” C.J.hissed.“I had no idea my employees would descend on you like seagulls spying a French fry on the beach.”
Royce laughed.“That’s an interesting visual.”
“But accurate,” she said, grimacing.
C.J.didn’t actually need help in the kitchen, so the three of us just drank and chatted and ate from a tray of appetizers she had on the island.I was so happy to finally spend some time with C.J., I began to actually enjoy myself.
Unfortunately, at some point the other guests discovered us and dragged us back out into the main party.I did my best to avoid Team Incense the rest of the night, although it wasn’t easy.They seemed to be everywhere.In an effort to avoid them, Royce and I headed back out to the deck.James was nowhere to be seen, but Luke was still in the same spot, picking at his food.I was concerned he might be sick because his color wasn’t good and his hands were shaking.
