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Max the sex god turned his piercing eyes on her and smiled. Laugh lines carved the edges of his mouth. She blinked at the sensual aura coming at her like jet propulsions. Oddly, she didn’t feel the burn of connection she experienced with Michael, but more of an aesthetic pleasure from such a visually stunning creature. She offered her hand and he shook it with a firm grip.
Nope. No sparks at all. Thank God. Maggie pitied the woman who fell in love with this man, doomed to walk in his shadow forever.
Then she realized Michael’s little sister had the bug.
Bad.
Carina had not yet reached the age where she hid her emotions. Still caught halfway to a full-grown woman, her face reflected a longing that broke Maggie’s heart and filled her with fear. Her past rocketed toward her with the dim memories of the girl she’d once been. Before her innocence and belief in happily ever after was ripped from her.
Poor Carina. If she had a thing for Max, she was doomed to experience a broken heart.
“Where have you been hiding her, Michael?” He glanced between them with a hint of curiosity and something more. Suspicion? “Here I am thinking of you as my best friend, yet I didn’t have a clue you two were involved. When Page Six doesn’t break the news about a hot single billionaire in New York getting hitched, something’s up.”
Oh yeah. Max definitely believed her to be a fortune hunter.
Michael snorted. “Seems the magazines are more interested in you than me, my friend. And I thought the last time we compared notes, you beat me by almost a million.”
“Two.”
“Ah, but you are not a count.”
“That Swiss blood took me out of the running, I guess. But I still own more land.”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you both whip it out and I’ll tell you who’s bigger?”
Michael shot her a look. Carina clamped her hand over her mouth.
“If my sources are correct, you’re keeping your own secrets,” Michael said. “What’s this in the gossip columns about you dating royalty? Italian descent not good enough? You need a blue blood to satisfy you?”
Max shook his head. “Serena accompanied her father on a business trip and is keeping me company. She’s an heiress to a fortune, and not really royalty. Her papa would rip me apart—I’m not worthy enough to marry into that family.”
Carina blazed with fury. “That’s ridiculous! Anyone who marries for money instead of love deserves unhappiness! You’re worth more than that.”
Max put his hands to his chest. “Ah, cara, will you marry me? You are a woman after my own heart.”
Carina turned beet red. Her lips trembled as she searched for words. What a mess. In love with her brother’s best friend who was years older, and trapped in a girl-woman’s body as she lusted after someone she couldn’t have. At least, not yet.
Maggie opened her mouth to divert attention, but Michael dived in for a belly flop. He chucked his sister under the chin, his indulgent smile like that of an adult to a toddler. “Carina has many years before she can be serious about a man. She will be stepping into her rightful position in the bakery and will finish her business degree. Besides, she’s a good girl, and you, my friend, only date the bad ones.”
The men laughed, neither realizing the expense of their joke.
The color drained from Carina’s face, and she lowered her head. When she stuck her chin back up, she blinked back tears of rage. “I’m not a child, Michael,” she hissed. “Why can’t you both see that?”
She turned and ran from the room.
“What did I say?” Michael asked. “I was only teasing her.”
Max looked just as lost.
Maggie let out an irritated sigh and gulped the rest of her wine. “You two boneheads really did it this time.”
“Did what? Her behavior is irrational and rude to our guests. I meant no harm.”
Max shifted uneasily. “Should I go talk to her?”
“No, it’s my responsibility. I will talk to her.”
Maggie shoved her empty glass into Michael’s hands. “Ah, hell, stay out of it. You’ve done enough. I’ll talk to her.”
Michael’s face reflected skepticism. “Darling, you don’t have much experience with young women. Sometimes she needs a firm hand to see reason. Maybe it will be better if I get Julietta.”
Maggie somehow doubted his business-minded sister understood Carina at the moment, either. Once again, his tone pissed her off, basically telling her she was incapable of handling another situation. In the past twenty-four hours, the man had insulted her career, her cooking, and now her social methods. She forced a sweet smile that almost gave her a cavity. “Don’t worry, darling.” She mocked the endearment in a private manner he understood immediately. “I’m going to give her some good news to make her feel better.”
“What news?”
She stared up at the twin gorgeous men before her and gave a wicked smirk. “I’ll fix her up on a blind date. With someone hot.”
Michael’s face darkened. “Absolutely not. My baby sister is not experienced with dating.”
“That’s exactly why this will be perfect for her. See ya.” She added to the insult by raising herself on tiptoes and placing a kiss on his lips. The tiny zing between them distracted her for an instant but she ignored it. “Let’s not argue on our honeymoon, love, when we can concentrate on other fun activities.” She gave Max a wink, then strolled away, making sure to swing her hips as she felt his gaze on her rear.
Maggie held back a laugh. Damn, some of this was fun. Challenging his wit and bullheaded ways gave her some benefit. She made her way upstairs and searched for Carina’s room. Let Michael stew with that disturbing idea for a bit. She’d confess later she didn’t even know a suitable boy to set Carina up with. Unfortunately, her mouth got her in trouble again and she still needed to try to speak with Carina. She certainly had no experience with female advice. What could she possibly say to make her feel better?
Maggie sighed as she stopped behind a closed door and heard muffled sobs. Her palms were sweaty so she rubbed them on her skirt. Ridiculous. If Carina didn’t want to talk to her, she’d just hang here upstairs for a bit so Michael would believe they’d shared a conversation. She raised her hand and tapped on the door.
