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“I think that would be a great idea. When are we going?”
“I reserved the cabin for this weekend. I’ll shoot Carla a text and you can talk to PJ when she gets home.”
Both men turned when they heard the door open and saw PJ walk in. They both smiled and stood to greet her. She looked beautiful, but tired. Max had been looking forward to her coming home all day. Without a job, he had plenty of time to do nothing but obsess over PJ. She smiled as she took in the men waiting for her to get home.
“This is a pleasant surprise,” she said sarcastically.
This had become the daily norm. Max and Lattimore greeted PJ when she got home. She in turn busted their chops. They would allow her thirty minutes to decompress from work. After her alone time, she cooked for them and then the trio hung out together for the rest of the evening.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, Max was nervous to tell PJ about the ski trip. He had to wipe his sweaty palms on his pants several times to get them dry. He took a deep breath to center himself and then blurted it out like a shy teenager.
“So, PJ, what are you doing this weekend?”
“Working late Friday night to finish up this project Latti has me working on. Saturday is reserved for sleep and vegging out because Sunday I have to go to my Uncle Jack’s for Sunday dinner. I need a whole day to prepare for that mess.”
“You’re going to Uncle Jack’s for Sunday dinner? How did he ever get you to agree to that? I thought you were avoiding him,” Latti exclaimed.
“I was but I was busy working and didn’t take the time to check my caller id. It was him and you know he gave me the business. There was no way for me to say no.”
The best friends laughed as Max looked on. He was disappointed that she was unavailable this upcoming weekend. After Lattimore made the suggestion, Max had determined that getting away with PJ was the key to getting her to let him in. He was compelled to ask again.
“Okay, so you’re busy this weekend, but what about next?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Lattimore and I want to go skiing and we want you and Carla to come along.”
PJ’s face went from excited to one that looked like she smelled something foul. Max chuckled, knowing the look was because she hated Carla. Maybe he should have left that part out until she agreed to come along.
“You had me before you mentioned Carla. I can’t do it.”
She glanced at Lattimore with apologetic eyes. Max could tell it hurt her to dislike her best friend’s love interest. She wanted to get along with the surly woman, but it was almost impossible.
“Oh, come on, PJ. Don’t do that. I need my best friend and the woman I am dating to at least be able to be in the same room together. I want us to go on couple’s trips and shit, but we can’t do that if you two are always fighting. Will you at least try for me?”
Those words from Lattimore defeated her anger. PJ sat up and nodded.
“Fine. For you I will try, but I promise if she starts in with that mouth of hers, I might just shut it permanently.”
Everyone laughed at her joke, but Max wasn’t so sure it was all said in jest. He would make sure PJ stayed away from Carla as much as possible. All he could think about was getting PJ alone and finally making love to her. He hoped she was thinking the same thing. In the meantime, he would plan a trip that she would never forget.
“So next weekend, then?” Max asked, trying to lock down an answer before PJ started in on Carla.
“Are you serious? I guess, but before I agree, you both have to do something for me.”
Both men sat up straight and looked at PJ with curiosity. Max was ready to sign on the dotted line. It didn’t matter what she asked for, she could have it. Before she could open her mouth to tell them what she wanted, a look of realization crossed Lattimore’s face and he shook his head as if to say no way. This made PJ grin.
“No way, PJ. I told you the last time I went, I would never darken his doorstep again.”
“Oh, Latti, don’t be like that. I need you.”
“Nope. Maybe you can talk Max into going, but I am done. Not happening. I don’t care what you do.”
“Well, damn. Alright Max, it’s up to you.” She turned to look at him with big eyes.
“What are you two talking about?”
“I need you to accompany me to Sunday dinner at Uncle Jack’s house.”
Max was confused as to why Lattimore refused to go with her. After all, they had been friends since they were kids. Surely, he knew her family and had dined with them many times over the years. Why would he refuse to attend? He had always heard about Sunday dinners, and it was always a positive experience.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll go with you. No problem.”
