Aiden pinches his lips together and frowns at me. “Shut it or I’m calling Wolfgang.”
I raise my hands in surrender. “Okay, I can understand wanting to keep some things to yourself for a bit.”
I glance over at Avery and stare at her for a little too long. What am I? Just a teenager with a crush who’s grown up and drinking coffee instead of grabbing a milkshake.
Aiden is silent for several seconds, and he looks up to where Talia is waiting next to the counter. “Yeah, I would love to take her on a date.”
“So what’s your problem?” I say, laughing at him. “Take her to one of the events this weekend.”
“Oh yeah, you think this is so funny?” Aiden says, balling up the paper wrapper from something and throwing it at me.
“Well, I mean, you’re usually the one who’s so composed, and I’ve never seen you so squirrely. We can even double date or something. I mean, this weekend is the best time for it.”
“I thought you were trying to get your apartment done. You’re willing to sacrifice the speed for that?”
“Every day of the week. If I can see you this uncomfortable,then it’s totally worth it.” I laugh and lightly punch Aiden in the shoulder.
He glares at me, folding his arms across his chest. “Well, what about you and the woman behind the counter?”
“I like her,” I say.
“Have you guys been on a date yet?”
“Yes. No. Well, kind of. We played games at her flat. I’ve given her my number, but yet to get a response. She did say she’d go to try out a restaurant with me this weekend.”
Aiden’s phone rings, and he pulls it out, showing my father’s name on the screen.
“He’s already called me ten times since yesterday. I can’t hold him off much longer.”
I don’t know if it’s because I’m sick of the idea looming over me or what, but I reach over and take the phone from Aiden. I answer it while sliding out of the booth and walking out the front door. I need the calming quality of the beach to guide me right now.
“This is Max.”
There’s a moment of hesitation on the line, then Wolfgang finally says, “Where have you been? We’ve all been worried.”
A feel a twinge of guilt. “I needed to get away for a while.”
“Well, get on a plane and come back from wherever you are. There are so many things to do.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I’ve been fixing things for longer than I can remember. Is something wrong at the company?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Then what is it?” I say with more force than I’ve ever managed with him.
“You need to propose to Victoria so we can start planning the wedding.”
I let out a long sigh and start walking across the beach to the small bench that has become my favorite lately.
“Why do you think I left, Dad? I don’t want to marry her.”
“We don’t always get what we want, son,” Wolfgang says with what sounds like veiled anger.
I stare out at the sea. The beauty as the waves crash along the beach give me something to focus on.
“I’m sure that’s not true for some,” I say.
“Where are you? I’ll come get you.”
