30. Theo
30
THEO
W e were on our way to the wedding venue, and I was having a hard time not staring at Max. She looked even more beautiful than the night of the engagement party, wearing another gown we’d picked out together. It was a simple yellow dress with a low dip in front that showed off her gorgeous cleavage. Her ass looked incredible, too. She had a special glow about her, despite the fact that she couldn’t seem to give me a genuine smile.
“Today is going to be a whirlwind, so I apologize in advance. You feel ready for everything?”
Max nodded. “Yup. And don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine fending for myself. You take care of your family.”
She raised her chin a little after she spoke, looking almost defiant. Something had gotten into her since the Rafe drama, and in the two weeks since I still hadn’t been able to figure out exactly what was wrong. It almost seemed like she was avoiding me. She’d gone to various wedding events, but they’d been girls only—a bridesmaids’ luncheon, the bachelorette party, etc. We attended the rehearsal dinner together the previous night, but it had been just like the few times we’d gone out to dinner together the past few weeks—she had excuses about why she couldn’t come back to my place. To be fair, they weren’t excuses . They were reasons, work- and internship-related reasons, but still. I just wanted to be with her. I missed holding her.
Maybe the wedding would help us find our way back to one another? A few turns on the dance floor and everything would feel right again.
At least I hoped so.
I gave my keys to the valet and ignored the way the kid’s eyes bugged out of his head when he realized that he’d be parking a Bentley.
“Sorry we had to come a little early,” I said as I led Max into the venue, the historic Vizcaya Museum. I was the one footing the bill for the event, but it felt like I was seeing everything for the first time.
“Oh my gosh, this place is perfect,” Max sighed, looking around as I led her to the gardens where both the ceremony and reception would take place.
It was a magnificent setting made even more extraordinary by the sumptuous flowers and lighting that was just starting to turn on in the fading sun of the late afternoon. I could see the event planners doing last-minute adjustments down by the ceremony area, where a flower lined aisle led up to the area in front of the stone arches where Jess and Tim would be married.
“Yeah, it’s exactly what Jess wanted.”
My phone went off in my tux pocket and I pulled it out, not surprised to see my mom’s number.
“Everything okay in bride-land?” I said as I answered the call, knowing my mom was helping Jess get ready.
“Why aren’t you taking pictures with the guys?” she shrieked at me. “You’re late.”
I chuckled. The stress was getting to her.
“I’m early , and I’m on my way. I can see them getting set up down by the water. The photographer isn’t even ready yet.”
I half-listened as she ticked off a list of problems that were nothing more than minor annoyances, opting to watch Max instead. She seemed distracted and a little unhappy. Today was supposed to be a fun day, and it felt like we weren’t off to a great start. I knew she was comfortable around my family, so that couldn’t be it.
Was it me ?
“Theo, don’t forget,” my mom was saying when I finally tuned back into her.
“I’m sorry, you cut out,” I lied. “Forget what now?”
“Uncle Frank has your boutonniere. He said he’d give it to you, but you know how forgetful he can be.”
“Got it, Mom. I promise I’ll track him down.”
I hung up and joined Max at the edge of the balcony overlooking the vast blue of the ocean. “Great view, huh?”
“It’s perfect.”
I slid my arm around her shoulders, and I could’ve sworn I felt her stiffen.
“Someone down there is waving at you,” Max, said, pointing toward the grassy area.
I squinted. “My cousin Danny. I guess that means they’re ready for photos.” I turned to her. “Do you want to come down and watch? Maybe you could give the photographer pointers.”
I’d meant for it to sound funny, but Max didn’t laugh. “No, I’ll wait up here.”
“Do you need anything? A drink maybe?”
She shook her head and I noticed that she looked a little pale.
I pulled her into my arms and tried to ignore the way she left her hands resting on my waist, instead of circling around me and gripping me the way she used to.
“I want you to have fun tonight, okay? I might be a little distracted with my cousin-duties, but once the ceremony is over it’ll be you and me. Sound okay?”
Her head was against my chest, and I felt her nod.
“Back in a bit.” I tilted her chin up and kissed her. “If you need anything just let me know.”
I glanced over my shoulder at Max as I headed down to where the group had gathered. I needed some clarity about what was going on with her, because she looked downright miserable. Beautiful, but miserable.
By the time I made it back to the seating area after photos, it was nearly go-time. People were settling into the silk-draped chairs in the ceremony area. I found Max sitting in the back row, chatting with a group of women I didn’t recognize. I was happy to see that she was laughing.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I said. “Max, I just want to let you know that we’re supposed to be in the second row.” Jess had asked me to be the one to walk her down the aisle, but once that was done, I’d be sitting down with Max, and it just made sense for my seat to be right up front.
She gave me a look I couldn’t decipher and slid out to follow me to the front. I reached for her hand and threaded her arm into mine.
“I guess this is it,” she said in a low voice as we walked down the aisle.
“What do you mean?”
“The climax of our little act,” she responded, not looking at me. “Probably good that everyone will be able to see us together since it’s the Max and Theo Show season finale.”
I’d been so busy I hadn’t even made the connection that the wedding meant the end of our arrangement. Hearing Max say it sent an arrow to my heart. I glanced down at her, hoping to find her smiling her mischievous grin at me despite all the recent weirdness between us.
Her expression was stony.
“I guess it is,” I began, squeezing her arm against my side. “But maybe we should disc?—”
“ Theo .”
We both turned to find one of the bridesmaids peeking from behind an arch of roses, beckoning me over. She mimed pointing at a watch.
“Okay, hold that thought because I need to go,” I said, wishing I had more time to talk about the future with Max. But we could tackle it at the reception, when we’d both relaxed with a few drinks, and I’d held her in my arms on the dancefloor.
“Good luck,” Max said.
I leaned down and kissed her lips. Her mouth went hungry for a moment, but when I pulled away there was a tiny furrow between her brows. I had to ignore the way it made me feel so I could be fully present for Jess as I got ready to walk my cousin down the aisle.
I found her surrounded by her bridesmaids, practically levitating with happiness.
“Hey,” Jess said, squeezing my hand as we waited our turn out of sight. “Thanks. For this.” She raised our joined hands. “And for everything. It means the world to me.”
“Anything for my sister-cousin,” I replied. “You look absolutely stunning.”
Jess was a goddess in a sparkly strapless gown, one of three she’d settled on for the day. She’d felt bad about not being able to decide between them, but I wanted her to get everything she wanted. There was no better feeling than using my good fortune to help make dreams come true for the people I loved. I knew all that mattered to Jess was marrying her best friend in front of her family and friends. She appreciated the sumptuous event, she’d made that fact very clear to me, but the core of it all was her love for Tim.
I’d never imagined wanting anything like this for myself, but I was somehow edging closer. I could see the appeal, but finding a real ride-or-die love, like the kind Jess and Tim had, didn’t feel like an option for me. I wasn’t sure I could roll with the ups and downs. Like the way Max was acting. I could tell something was wrong, so why wasn’t she being open with me?
What I couldn’t figure out was why I felt so driven to get to the bottom of her strange mood. Usually, I’d sense a problem in a relationship and head for the hills. Max made me want to wrestle with whatever was going on until I beat it into submission. Dealing with trouble was worth it if it meant I got to be happy with her again in the end.
The music swelled and it was our turn to walk down the aisle. Every head swiveled to face us, but the only person I strained to find was Max. I spotted her next to my mom, beaming at Jess. I caught her eye and winked, and to my shock her smile dimmed a bit.
What the hell was going on?
Once Jess was united with Tim at the end of the aisle, I claimed my spot next to Max. I felt my mom’s eyes burning a hole into me when the officiant started talking about how fate leads us to our person, and how it was the happy couple’s wish that everyone would find a love like theirs.
Max had her arms crossed over her chest so I couldn’t hold her hand. Instead, I reached over and placed my hand on her leg. She didn’t move away, but she didn’t reciprocate either.
We definitely needed to talk, or it was going to be a long night.
Her expression softened once Jess and Tim were declared man and wife and we all stood to clap for them. The live band under the tent across the property started playing, signaling the party had started.
We waited in the crush of people making their way out of the ceremony area to the open bars scattered near the tent.
“They’re probably going to need me for more pictures, but I’ve got a few minutes,” I told Max. “What can I get you to drink?”
Max opened her mouth then shut it abruptly. “Um … champagne, I guess.”
“On it,” I said. “The apps are coming out shortly. Want me to track down a steak and blue cheese bruschetta for you? A shrimp tartlet, perhaps?”
Jess had run all of her options past me even though I let her have free reign.
Max looked a little green. “Nope, I’m good. Maybe grab me a water too?”
“Of course. Back in a sec. We’re at table four if you want to get settled.”
I joined the crush at the bar and watched Max move through the tables. She looked … tentative. It was so unlike her. I was relieved when my mom and aunt joined her at the table. I could tell even from a distance that they were cooing over how gorgeous she looked.
I’d dated beautiful women before. Models, actresses, the type of women who turned every head. But there was something magnetic about Max that drew people to her. Her gigantic smile and warm eyes made people want to get closer to her. It was just one of her many gifts.
I finally got drinks and managed to snag a small plate of apps on the way to our table.
“Ladies,” I said, glancing at my gathered relatives and placing the champagne and food in front of Max with a flourish.
“Honey, you look so handsome,” my mom cooed as I sat down next to Max. “And Max is a vision in that dress! Maybe you two will be making your own trip down the aisle soon, hm?”
I chuckled and glanced at Max. She was staring at the plate in front of her, taking slow breaths and exhaling through pursed lips.
“And then,” my mom continued, “ grandbabies !”
Max pushed back from the table so violently that the silverware clanged and the champagne flutes tottered.
“Excuse me for a minute,” she said, then quickly threaded her way through the crowd.
I debated following her, but she was out of sight before I could figure out where she was headed.