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Max was ashamed to admit that it took every ounce of control he had to put Steph’s phone on the kitchen counter, pick up his briefcase as he headed for the door, and walk to her car. Max’s mind was reeling, and he felt as if someone had punched him in the heart, and the world around him seemed to grow dimmer. Like his sunshine had just been eclipsed by their first serious fight in their eighteen years together. Sixteen of which they’d been married for.
As Max drove toward the Marine Center, his mind went over the argument, wondering how it had escalated so quickly and what Steph had meant about him appeasing his own guilty conscience. His brow knit in a tight frown at her words. Max pulled into his parking space at the center and climbed out of the car when Kendal came bounding towards him.
“Hi, Max,” Kendal greeted him. “Is that a new car?”
“No, it’s my wife’s,” Max told her. “You’re in early today. I thought you were on the afternoon shift.”
Max started walking toward the front door with Kendal walking with him.
“I didn’t get to talk to you about the turtles yesterday,” Kendal told him. “Their recuperation habitat still needs some work to get done in time.”
“You know we can’t pay you extra time, Kendal,” Max warned her as he stepped inside the large entry hall and was greeted by Glenda, his assistant.
“Morning, Max,” Glenda smiled at him as she walked toward her office, which was a door away from him. “Would you like a cup of coffee?” she asked over her shoulder.
“Yes, please,” Max called after her and was about to follow her when Kendal grabbed his arm, stopping her.
“Wait, Max,” Kendal said. “I don’t expect to get paid for this time this morning. I want to get the habitat done. I was wondering if you’d help me with it?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have time,” Max told her. He wasn’t in the mood for small talk or over-eager staff members. “Maybe talk to one of the contractors and tell them I gave you permission to get them to help you.”
With that, Max stepped around her and walked to his office. When Glenda walked into his office, he’d just sorted out his briefcase and was getting settled in for the day.
“There you go,” Glenda placed a steamy mug of coffee on a coaster on his desk. “Don’t forget you have a new investor who’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”
“Mike’s hardly that formal, Glenda.” Max didn’t look up as he shuffled through papers, looking for the contract he’d prepared for Mike.
“Here.” Glenda reached over and pulled the document from a pile on the side of his desk. “Is this what you’re looking for?”
“Yes, thank you.” Max gave her a tight smile. “And thank you for the coffee.”
“Are you okay?” Glenda frowned at him worriedly. “You seem on edge and not your usual smiling, calm self.”
Max forced another smile onto his protesting face. “Just having a bit of a bad morning.”
“Oh dear,” Glenda tutted. “Well, take a deep breath, have some coffee, and hopefully, the day will improve.” She grinned. “Especially if Mike Sullivan writes the center a big fat check.”
“We really need it.” Max nodded and picked up the coffee. “When Mike gets here, please show him right in.”
“I will,” Glenda said and started walking to the door, stopping on the threshold. “How’s Steph?”
Max’s head shot up at the mention of his wife. His heart slammed into his ribs, wondering if Glenda had somehow guessed they were fighting. When he looked into her eyes, they were brimming with concern, and he realized she was asking about Steph’s health.
“She’s fine,” Max assured Glenda. “Steph’s been on this health kick to restart her metabolism after forty and wasn’t eating as she should.”
“Your wife is the last person that needs that.” Glenda smiled. “Steph is gorgeous, and any woman half her age would kill to look like her.”
“Thank you, Glenda,” Max told her. “I’ll pass that on to her.”
With that, Glenda left his office, closing the door behind her. Finally left in solitude, Max sank back against the plush office chair, trying to quiet his buzzing mind. His phone rang, distracting him and making his heart jolt, hoping it was Steph. Disappointment coursed through him when he saw it was Wallis Albright, his lifelong best friend.
“Hey, Wallis,” Max answered the phone.
“Hi, Max,” Wallis’s cheery voice floated through the phone. “Are you free tonight?”
“No, I have some family issues to deal with,” Max told him. “Why?”
“My wife and kids are out of town, and I was wondering if you wanted to watch the ballgame over at mine tonight?” Wallis invited.
