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Her lips tip down, and that’s when I see how truly upset she is that Carm and I might not work out. “I’d love for you two to coexist, but I imagine I’m asking too much. Have a great weekend, and don’t work too hard.” She smiles and opens my office door. “Max.”
Annie heads out of my office into the hallway, and Max circles in her chair. “You know I’m usually always on your side, but…”
“Oh stop. Annie just spilled the news. Justin’s holding out on you to keep his job.”
She rolls her eyes and stands from her chair. “He’s being a weasel and I’m annoyed with it, but I would never tell you something for my own gain.”
I know she wouldn’t, and I was really only kidding.
“I just never saw you as happy as you were. I called you out on it a lot, but it was nice to see you that way. You deserve it.”
“Max, are you being sentimental?”
She rolls her eyes again. “Would you rather have me tell you that you’re going to blow it with the first man who’s ever fucked a glow into you?”
I laugh. “Being good in bed and being good out of bed are two different things.”
“I think you’re harping too much on this lying thing. Are you sure you’re not pissed because you got blindsided by the bitch in the elevator? Or that it’s easier for you to blame him when you weren’t completely honest with him yourself because opening up to him would make you vulnerable and—”
“I hate you,” I say.
“You hate that I’m right.” She tips her head and looks at me from under her eyebrows.
“Shut my door.”
She stands and starts to shut it. “It’s okay, B, I get it. You’ve spent your entire life proving the fairy tale wrong—that no man is as great as your dad was for your mom. But somewhere, you forgot about yourself. He doesn’t have to be a prince to be Mr. Right.”
Click.
Silence accosts me, and Max smirks before swiveling in her chair to face her computer again. I look at the clock on my computer. Three o’clock, which means she’ll be leaving soon. Maybe tonight I can really think through this thing between Carm and me.
I pick up my cell phone and allow myself to look at the one and only picture I have of us. Annie secretly captured it the night of the bonfire and sent it to me the next morning. I’m beside Carm, leaning into him with my head on his shoulder, and we’re smiling at each other. I rub my thumb along the screen.
Am I being an idiot?
I pull up a text message thread with my mom.
Me: How are things there?
Three dots appear immediately. She’s probably left the bakery already.
Mom: Just humid and hot. You know, typical summer. Greg is picking me up this evening on his jet and we’re heading to Santa Barbara for a long weekend.
I guess things are still going good there.
Me: Sounds like fun.
Mom: You okay sweetie? Want to talk? I’m just packing my bag, but I have some time.
Me: No. Just checking in.
Mom: Okay… have fun in the Hamptons this weekend.
No need to tell her what’s happening.
Me: Thanks. Have fun in Santa Barbara.
I drop my phone on my desk and face my computer. I should try to get some work done before I actually do head across the hall.
