He freezes for a moment. “I’ve been friends with the ownerfor a long time. He knows that whatever choice I’m making, I’m not trying to screw things up.”
“It’s nice when you have people you can trust.”
He turns his head to study me. “I take it you haven’t always had that option?”
I blow out a breath, trying to decide how much I want to share with him.
“I was a lawyer in my past life.” I pause and blush when I see surprise flicker across Max’s face.
He leans forward on the couch, his arm draped over the back of it. Something about the proximity of him and his gaze feels more intimate than our conversation after the leaking sink. I’m not used to people giving me their undivided attention, at least not anyone over the age of fifteen, and even that is iffy.
“All the hard work of college, studying for the entrance exam, law school, the bar exam…” He shakes his head slightly. “There must have been something significant to pull you away from that and bring you here.”
I’m surprised he doesn’t look at me like I’m crazy.
“My sister needed me after her husband died. And honestly…” I shrug. “I didn’t love the firm I was with.” That’s the truth, even if it wasn’t the catalyst for me leaving the profession altogether.
“And what about your parents?”
“They both died several years ago, so it’s just been Cora and me. Well, and Barry, her husband, before he passed. Then Lila.” I pick at a spot on the table, trying to ground myself. “Ever since Barry died, it feels like our little family has been fracturing. My sister is traveling all over the States, and Lila and I are trying to keep things together here.”
Max bobs his head slowly. “I can imagine that would be rough, especially when you’ve had a solid family unit for that long.”
There’s something in his eyes. Regret, maybe. Or longing.
“What about your family?” I ask. “I’ve never really heard you talk about them.”
“I’ve mentioned my sister, Georgina. We get along if our parents stay out of things.”
“I’m not sure I understand that.”
“My father can be very controlling,” Max says quietly. “And he’s persuasive. When he tells my sister she’ll be cut off if she doesn’t do what he asks—or demands—she usually gives in.”
“Is he not that way with you?”
Max sighs. “He tries. For most things, I’m able to make a counterargument, but there are some things I don’t think he’ll ever give up on.”
“And what’s that?”
He gives me a sad smile. “He always thinks he can do things better than I can.”
The words hit me hard.
How could a father treat his son that way? Especially someone like Max, who seems so capable and grounded? He’s all things good, trying to help out where he can.
Before I can think better of it, I lean forward and place my hand over his. “I’m sorry you’ve had to go through that.”
He turns his hand so mine is in his, holding it gently. There’s nothing crazy about it, and yet, I can understand the appeal of the hand flex from the 2005Pride & Prejudice.
“Thank you. One of the reasons I accepted this, uh, assignment was to get a break from my father.”
I squeeze his hand gently, not sure how else to break the somber look on his face.
He gives me a small smile. “Well, I should probably head back to my jail cell,” he says with a laugh.
I roll my eyes. “I told you that you could stay here if you wanted to.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t want to intrude. Besides,this will be one of those memories I look back on one day and laugh about.”
