“Well, Ashley and I were just bringing back the bikes after our bike ride, and I heard you talking to Max.”
I didn’t even see her there. That goes to show how oblivious I can be.
“It’s not right to eavesdrop, Lila,” Cora says, giving her daughter a stern look. “But if it helps this situation, you might as well spill what you know.” She walks over and pours herself a cup of coffee and takes a long sip.
“I didn’t catch everything. Avery, you left, and Max and his dad kept talking. There was a lot that I couldn’t hear from where I was, but there was a part about Max saying he liked it here. His dad asked if you were the reason for him wanting to stay. Max said something about you not being the reason he ran, but a reason why he would stay.”
I can feel my heartbeat up into my ears.
The kitchen falls silent except for the hum of the refrigerator.
Cora blinks slowly. “Well,” she says at last. “That feels emotionally significant.”
I let out a breath somewhere between a laugh and a groan and press both hands against the counter. “He barely knows me.”
Lila snorts softly. “Men have crossed oceans for less.”
“What are you going to do?” Cora asks before taking another sip of coffee.
“I’m going to get ready and open the coffee shop.”
Cora shakes her head. “I didn’t mean literally. I mean about Max.”
“She’s going to avoid him,” Lila says, inspecting her nails.
“I don’t even know if he’s still in town, you guys. And if Maxis serious about staying, he needs to act like someone building a life—not someone hiding from one.”
“I need an Avery translation, please,” Lila says, turning to her mother.
I don’t give her a chance to explain. “I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing. If Penrose Beach is where he wants to create a life, then we can see where things go. But I don’t want to be the backup, the one who’s convenient because I’m where he’s hiding.”
Lila and Cora are quiet.
My phone rings, the sound shrill this early in the morning. It’s a number I don’t recognize, so I silence it and pick up a slightly warm cookie, taking a bite. I’m going to have to take a load of the baked goods downstairs, so I don’t eat my weight in them.
The phone rings again.
“Maybe you should answer,” Cora says. “If it’s the same number, someone could be hurt?” Proof she can’t always turn off the nurse in her.
I answer the call. “Hello?”
“Is this Avery Parker?” a deeper voice asks.
“Who is asking?”
“This is Wolfgang Bauer.”
My stomach drops, and I pull the phone away and mouth. “It’s Max’s father.”
“Why are you calling me this early?” I ask.
“Because I was hoping we could come to an arrangement. You see, my son is currently in a state of transition. From everything he’s told me, I understand that you may be unintentionally complicating that process. I’m willing to pay.”
My hand tightens on the phone. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
He exhales, the sound exaggerated, like he’s gathering a forced patience. “You are not from his world. I’m not trying tobe rude, just blunt. There are many things about Max’s life that aren’t easy. As a partner, you’d be subjected to criticism and judgment.”
Shaking my head, I say, “I’m sorry, sir. We aren’t even officially dating.”
