Page 869 of One More Kiss

“Excellent. Have I told you how much I appreciate you?”

“Not lately sir, but thank you for your kind words.”

Their voices faded away as Max continued to walk to the center of the maze, and then reversed course to exit, taking a seat on one of the two stone benches flanking the entrance to the maze.

“Is this true? This is true. It must be. She told both Dorie and Betty and I’ve seen the way she looks at me. Trying to hide the affection in her eyes. No, this is not a trick. I must find her now!” Max jumped from the bench but stumbled back when the lady herself appeared before him, nostrils flaring and hair a great mane of gold blowing in the wind.

Damnit, did he just use the most purple of purple prose to describe her?

“To whom were you speaking, Mr. Fischer?” She glanced in one direction, and then the other, searching for his companion.

None would be found, since he’d been talking to himself.

He took in a deep breath to steady himself. “No one, Miss Danvers. What can I do for you?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve been sent to tell you lunch is ready in the conference room. If we are to return to auditions on time, please come now.”

“Th-thank you for your troubles in finding me.” His voice cracked, almost unrecognizable to his own ears.

“It was no trouble, sir, but it will be unless you come now.”

“No trouble, eh? Then you were happy to come find me?”

“I’m not sure the root of your odd behavior, Mr. Fischer. I was neither troubled by nor happy about seeking you out. Doing as asked by my employer.” She turned to head up the stairs leading into the building. “Either come now, or don’t. But you will be rather hungry when the afternoon drags on.”

While he was hungry for food, he was even hungrier for her—and if she felt the same, what was he to do?

* * *

The man was…odd.Eccentric? That’s what they called famous people, or the wealthy, right? Was he wealthy? Lu did not know what the pay was like for a screenwriter with an Academy Award nomination, or if he came from money, or what. She knew little of his past, save for what Dean Clark shared. His behavior this afternoon was simply unusual.

Lu rounded the corner to the corridor leading to the conference room. Dean Clark’s voice carried into the hall, followed by Dorie’s. She paused when she heard her name.

“Are you sure, sir? I find it hard to believe after the way Lu’s treated him, Max Fischer would be sweet on her.”

“Men are not logical creatures. It’s likely he desires her because she has seemingly rejected him.”

He desires me? That would explain his odd behavior in the garden moments ago. He was nervous to be alone with her. How could she look him in the eye now, let alone work with him so closely for the next several months?

“Does he deserve her, sir? I mean, we have known her for many years, and understand of what she is made. Standoffish at times, yes, but a bigger heart you’ll never find in any other member of our staff.”

Standoffish? Dorie thought she was standoffish?

“You are right, Dor. She deserves someone special, and respectful, and respectable. Does Max Fischer meet the mark? Probably not. But is he a good man? I think so, as does my former colleague who referred him for the position here. And a rather handsome man, don’t you think? When we first met, I believed the wrong man had been sent to me. He looked more an actor than a writer.”

“Oh yes, sir, I agree. He is rather attractive and if you say he is of good character, then I concur. They would make a lovely couple, and should pursue the relationship if both desire it.”

Pursue a relationship with Max Fischer? An hour ago, she would have called the idea lunacy, despite her physical attraction to him. But to know he had similar feelings sparked an interest in her she’d rather not have, but couldn’t extinguish now.

Distant footsteps drew Lu’s attention, and she glanced sideways to see Max approaching.

She cleared her throat and entered the conference room, taking a seat closest to the door. Dorie had laid out plates of sandwiches and fruit, so Lu focused on the food, staring down as Max entered.

If she looked at him now, he might glimpse the interest in her eyes.

Would it be such a bad thing?

She was trying to get rid of him. He took her job. It wasn’t his fault, but if he remained at Asheville, she’d never have what her heart truly desired.

But now, she wasn’t sure what—or who—was the true object of her desire.

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