Page 36 of Making Waves
“Oh, really?” Jane’s heart fluttered, and she felt flustered. She’d been hoping that was the reason but was also nervous if it was.
“Yeah, any fool can see that.” Andie squeezed her hand. “I’m happy for you. Don’t worry. Just enjoy it. He’s a good guy.”
“Yeah, he is, except...”
Andie’s expression turned concerned. “What?”
“I don’t know. The other day at Tall Pines, he got this weird phone call from back home, and he seemed concerned after. He said it was nothing, but I got the impression he was hiding something.”
“Are you sure?” Andie asked. “He doesn’t seem like the type. Maybe you’re just being paranoid.”
Jane turned back to the table and moved a fork a centimeter to the right. “Maybe. You’re probably right.”
Setting her focus back on the table, she pushed thoughts of Mike aside. She had a lot more pressing matters to worry about.
Chapter Eighteen
Andie’s life was becoming more and more about Lobster Bay and less and less about New York City. She now found the ocean breeze much more appealing than the city smog, and working in the garden at Tides and dealing with the guests had given her back her sense of family pride. Not to mention that visits with her mother had become even more precious now that Addie’s memory was failing.
She’d been surprised to discover that helping the residents at Tall Pines with their antiques so that they didn’t get ripped off by the unscrupulous Damien Carruthers was more rewarding than any big find she might have scored in the antique world.
When she’d visited her mother at Tall Pines the day before, Andie had sought out Rita to ask if she could look at the antique shop and apartment. She’d awakened to find a message from a realtor. She could view the shop and apartment this morning if she wanted.
She showered and rushed downstairs to grab some breakfast before heading to the appointment. Brenda was in her glory, anticipating an inn full of guests to cook for.
“Try this New Mexican egg scramble.” Brenda dished up a colorful plate of eggs with peppers, onions, and beans and handed it to Andie.
They were fluffy, spicy, and delicious. “Fabulous. Maybe some sour cream on the side?” Andie said as she shoveled the rest in and picked up her car keys. She only had a few minutes to spare.
Andie ran into Maxi in the foyer. She was just coming in the front door, her arms full of two dozen candles painted with blue stripes.
“Those look great.” Andie took one and examined it. She had a good eye for color, and it looked like a perfect match for the bridesmaid colors.
“Thanks. I hope they pass muster. I hear the bridezilla is coming tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Jane’s on pins and needles, but I think she’ll love everything. It’s all coming together.” Andie hoped. “How are you doing? Are you ready for the art gallery opening?”
Maxi beamed. “It’s all very exciting and overwhelming. But I finished the paintings, so I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Are you going?”
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it.” Andie cocked her head. “And how are other things going?” Andie was in a hurry to see the antiques store, but she genuinely cared about Maxi. The realtor would wait a few minutes, especially if they wanted their commission.
Maxi sighed. “You mean with James? I don’t know what to do there. It seems like he’s trying to win me back.”
“That doesn’t seem like a bad thing.”
“No, but I think Claire and Jane have something to do with that. Though now that I know the truth, I guess I might have overreacted. I owe him, since I acted like a jerk. But I’m still reluctant to give up my new life.” Maxi shrugged. “Honestly, I’ve been so focused on finishing the paintings, I haven’t thought much about it. Now I need to straighten out the rest of my life.”
“Do you still love him?” Andie asked.
Maxi nodded. “I do. It’s just that things are different now. I think we need to approach our relationship carefully so that we mend it in the right way. But I can’t imagine being with anyone else. Especially since Chandler seems a little flirty.”
“Chandler was hitting on you?”
Maxi frowned. “I don’t know if I’d say that. I’m so out of touch with dating, I don’t know if I’d recognize it if someone were hitting on me. But it seems like he’s interested, and it’s making it a bit awkward with the gallery and all. But it’s probably my imagination. Why would anyone be interested in me?”
“I didn’t mean it that way. Any guy would be lucky to have you,” Andie said sincerely. “Chandler usually goes for younger blondes with, um... not as many brains. You’re smart and sophisticated.”
Maxi blushed. “Thanks. I guess maybe I’m getting a little full of myself.”
