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“Thanks for bringing in donuts and coffee, Irelynn. I needed this—and a break.” Darin grins at me, then at Max.
Max nearly chokes on his coffee. “Seriously, asshole, have you done any work today?”
Darin shrugs, giving me a wink. “I answered the phone earlier.”
Max shakes his head and I laugh. Max runs a hand through his hair, leaning back in the chair beside me, his leg touching mine. “He’s a lazy fucker.”
I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of me. Their teasing of one another is hilarious.
Darin wads up a napkin and throws it at Max, hitting him in the chest. “That’s why I pay you, asshole. To work.”
Max just laughs, his hand moving to my thigh. “Now you know why I work for him. Otherwise, he’d go under because he’s too lazy to do anything.”
“Hey, I resent and also resemble that remark.” He leans back in his chair, his eyes moving between us. “I think I’m allergic to work. That’s why I convinced Max to work for me.”
Darin’s easygoing nature and sense of humor remind me of Vanessa. “I have a weird request for you, Darin.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I joked with my friend, Vanessa, that I’d try to get a pic of you to send to her.”
Max snorts. “You won’t have to sneak it. This cocky bastard loves the camera.”
Darin laughs. “You’re just jealous that I’m so photogenic.” He strikes a pose, his green eyes moving to me. “Sure, you can take a pic. I’ve already asked Max questions about her, and he says she’s attractive.”
“Oh, she’s gorgeous.” I pull up her Instagram and slide my phone toward Darin. “There’s her IG profile. See for yourself.”
Darin picks up my phone, leaning back in his chair, studying the pictures intently. I look over at Max, who grins at me.
Max leans forward, his lips against my ear, making me shiver. “You look stunning, baby. I’m glad you decided to visit me.”
Turning to face him, my hand moves to his leg. “Thank you. I’m really glad to see you.” Guilt lances through me because I’m withholding something from him. As my eyes skip away from him to Darin, then back to his, his brow furrows.
Uh oh. I can’t have him questioning me. As he’s said before, I’m a terrible liar.
Darin slides my phone toward me. “Your friend is gorgeous, Irelynn.” He wraps his hand around his coffee cup. “She’s single, huh?”
I study Darin’s face, seeing the excitement he’s trying to hide. He seems really interested in meeting Vanessa.
But more than that, right now, I’m grateful he’s here and able to provide a distraction. Because Max is very damn perceptive and his eyes are boring into my profile, studying me intently.
Picking up my coffee, I take a long drink. “Yup, she is. She had a boyfriend until last semester. The dumbass cheated on her.” I sigh, crossing my legs, a frown marring my face. “Her parent’s marriage was imploding, and she was trying to keep her brother, Josh, out of trouble. Josh had started drinking and doing drugs.” I cross my arms, my anger palpable as I swing my foot.
The room is silent. I see Darin exchange a look with Max, who sits beside me, body taut. He clears his throat, taking a drink of coffee, and Darin looks away. I look back and forth between them, but neither says a word.
Darin clears his throat, then says, “I’m really sorry to hear that. That dude sounds like an asshole. Vanessa is better off without him.”
“Thanks, Darin.” From my peripheral vision, I observe Max, who swallows hard, his hand running through his hair. He doesn’t look at me as he takes another drink of his coffee.
“Vanessa wants a picture of me, huh?” Darin gives a little smirk.
I nod, distracted by Max. I get a strong sense that Darin is covering for him, giving him time to get his emotions under control. My comment about Vanessa’s brother instantly affected him.
Darin stands, heading to the mirror over the sink. “Well then, I better make sure I don’t have donut all over my face.”
Max has rebounded, his odd mood passing. “If you find it there, leave it. It will be an improvement,” he jokes.
Darin flips him off, then leans forward, examining his face in the mirror, turning his head side-to-side.
Laughing half-heartedly, I take a drink of my coffee to quench my dry throat. My stomach somersaults and my breathing hitches, thinking about Max’s weird reaction when I mentioned alcohol and drugs. Max immediately became as taut as a guitar string.
But you’d think Max would tell me about that. Lots of people become addicted, so if someone was using, I don’t understand why he wouldn’t feel comfortable telling me?
