Chapter 25
DYLAN
I t was another hot day in the French Riviera, but the intense sun wasn’t the reason I was sweating. Nope, it was all thanks to an inquisitive thirteen-year-old with her dad’s knack for words and observation.
Once Max and I had wiped up the mess of tea splattered all over the table, I decided to let him answer Blake’s question.
We had talked about his concerns in length—my addiction, his ex, whether Blake and I would get along, and how we would navigate this new relationship when our time on board came to an end.
But nothing prepared me for today. I was auditioning for a new role in my life, but I’d be taking on a part that I had no script for. And I wasn’t the best at improvising.
“You know that I’ve dated over the years since the divorce,” Max stated, and Blake rolled her eyes.
I held my breath at what he might say next. It was nerve-racking enough meeting his kid, never mind one that was a teenager.
“I know that, but you’ve never talked about it. And I’ve never met anyone you’ve dated.” Blake replied.
“I wasn’t serious about anyone until now. Dylan and I—” He paused. “We like each other. A lot. But there’s also real concerns about our relationship and things we need to discuss.”
I knew that if Blake didn’t approve, Max and I would be over. That thought cut more deeply than I’d imagined, but it only made me love Max that much more. He was totally dedicated to his daughter, and her happiness came first.
“I want you to be happy, Dad,” Blake responded in a serious tone. “But, like you said, there are a lot of things to talk about. You live in California, right? How’s that going to work out?” she asked me. Before I could answer, Max responded.
“Some people have long distance relationships. This is brand new, so we’re still getting to know each other.
But I haven’t felt this way about anyone for a long time.
What we have is special,” Max answered, reaching his hand out to take mine.
I was shocked and pleased that he would show his affection for me in front of his daughter.
Blake took his other hand in one of hers and then reached out for mine.
A lump formed in my throat. Her gesture warmed me in a place deep inside that I’d thought would be cold forever.
“Okay, I think we need a break. We’ve had enough grown-up talk to last me for a while. Let’s go swimming. Or better yet, jet-skiing,” Blake said matter-of-factly as she let go of our hands and stood up. I looked at Max, and he grinned.
“How about a race to make things interesting?” I taunted.
“No contest!” Blake yelled confidently as she headed for the stairs. “I’m giving you guys ten minutes to get ready.” And then she was gone, leaving us alone again.
“Even though that went better than I anticipated, things aren’t going to be easy for us, are they?” Max whispered, his voice too quiet for my liking.
Despite Blake’s initial reaction and tentative acceptance, I knew a bumpy road lay ahead.
There was no sense in sugarcoating the truth. “No, they aren’t. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that the toughest challenges have the biggest payoff. Hopefully we come out stronger for it.” We hadn’t let go of each other, our hands still clinging tightly.
“Am I the payoff in this scenario?”
“The biggest and the best,” I said and winked at him. “Come on, I have a race to win.”
“Best of luck to you. My daughter has youth and a fierce, competitive spirit on her side.” He quipped as we stood up, his brown eyes flashing with heat and tenderness.
I pulled him into my arms, unable to let another moment go by without kissing him.
When his warm lips connected with mine, everything else disappeared.
It was just the two of us. I felt my heart give over completely to him.
When we finally parted, he stared at me and nodded, like he knew exactly what I was feeling.
Then I slapped his ass hard and ran like hell for the stairs.
Hey, no one’s perfect…
“Nice! You just had to ruin that romantic moment,” Max laughed and chased after me.
After he caught me (I let him), and we were reprimanded by George for running on a wet deck, we went inside to get changed and into our life vests.
The swells were low, so it was a perfect day to race around on the jet skis.
Blake whooped my ass and Max’s. She had just come from summer camp where they spent half the time in the water, so we conceded to her.
We had a lot of fun, and my nerves ebbed away like the tide.
We relaxed into a routine in the following days. Max and I worked in the morning and then took Blake on excursions in the afternoon. We took the tender to small, nearby islands like ?le Saint-Honorat and ?le Sainte-Marguerite to swim on unspoiled beaches and enjoy the privacy that they offered.
Blake and I connected on a lot of artistic stuff, including movies and music. And I got to see how Max interacted with his daughter. He was always patient and loving, but that didn’t surprise me. He didn’t hold back with the people he cared about, and I was no exception.
I’d shared a lot of firsts with Max, and the next one was the biggest revelation yet.
I’d opened my mind and heart to the possibility of becoming a stepparent.
The realization wasn’t all warmth and sunshine though.
It filled me with a heady amount of anxiety and made me think about what was best for Max and his family, not just me.
If they became a permanent part of my life, they’d be subjected to the same public scrutiny that I’d experienced.
I didn’t know if it was fair to put them through that.
A new battle unleashed inside me—my need to protect them vs what my heart wanted.
Even still, it was the best week in my life.
And deep down, I knew that my heart would win out.
Then reality bit us on the ass.
It started the following week with Warren texting me at five in the morning, saying it was urgent that we talk.
“Hey, Warren,” I said as I propped my tablet on the table. Warren’s face was pinched, and I knew right then it was bad fucking news.
“We have to move up the timeline for the book announcement. Remember that pesky reporter in New York?”
“What about him?” I asked as my stomach suddenly dipped.
“Well, he hunted you down in France. He got pictures of you and Max holding hands at some beach, and they’ve been released by Entertainment News Now. You’re exploding all over social media.”
“That can’t be! We’ve been careful.” I had to sit down, unable to take a breath. “Goddamn it. Max hasn’t told his ex about us yet. He’s going to flip the fuck out.”
“The picture also identifies a young woman as Max’s daughter.”
My heart stuttered at that piece of information. Bad news that only got worse. My fears had been realized, and I began to sweat like I was back in detox.
“What’s the plan?” I managed to croak out.
“Your phone is about to blow up. Ignore anyone who wants a comment. I’ll get a formal press announcement ready to send out shortly.”
“Like now?”
“Yes, now! As soon as possible. We can’t wait on this, Dylan. We want to control the narrative as much as possible and leading early is the first step. Maybe get Max in here, so he can hear what’s about to happen.”
“Hold on,” I said as I reached for my phone to text Max, who was probably still asleep in his bedroom. We’d been sleeping apart while his daughter was on board.
Dylan: Sorry to wake you. A picture has surfaced of you and me (Blake’s in there too) forwarding the link. I need to make a press statement today. Can you come to my room? I’m on video call with Warren.
Max: Fucking hell, I need to call Dante. And my agent. Let me do that first and I’ll join you.
“Max will be here shortly. He needs to call his ex and his agent.”
“Maybe it would be best if Max goes home to New York, and you come back to California,” Warren insisted. “There’s going to be a shitload of attention on you now, and I don’t think he’s prepared. A bit of distance is good for the time being.”
“It sounds like you want Max to get lost.”
“Let’s face reality, Dylan. Once you formally come out, you’ll be on talk shows and making the rounds to promote the book. You and Max lead separate lives on opposite coasts. Plus, he has a kid to consider. All the attention won’t be good for them. They’re not used to it.”
“What exactly are you telling me to do?” I bit out.
“I can’t tell you to do anything, I can only advise. But come on. You’ve already been married twice, and I’ve seen your other partners come and go.”
“This is different! I’m in love with Max.
Because for the first time in my life, he sees me.
Dylan, the person. Not the name or the brand or whatever the fuck you want to call it.
In all my past relationships, I was always hiding a part of myself, and the drink made it worse. With him, I don’t hold anything back.”
“That sounds like a great love story—on film. But you need to stop and think about how this relationship is going to affect you, your career, and your sobriety. And Max’s family life.”
“Enough!” I yelled as my anxiety spiraled.
A knock on my door sounded at the same time and I rushed over to open it. Max’s dark eyes were as devastated as I felt.
“Hey,” I said as I reached for him, but he walked around me, avoiding my touch.
Max headed for the love seat as I grabbed the tablet off my bed and moved to sit beside him.
“Max, did you view the link?” Warren asked and Max nodded.
“That goddamn reporter! I should’ve known he wouldn’t give up. I’m pissed, my ex is pissed. He wants me and Blake to head home. It’s a shit show all around.”
I flinched at his hardened tone but kept quiet.
“I’m going to help Dylan prepare a formal statement. Is your agent doing the same?”
“She’s reaching out to you directly to coordinate.”
“Good. And I agree, I think it’s best that you and your daughter fly home.”
My phone buzzed with notifications. One from Ro, another from Jared, and surprisingly, one from my mother. Goddamn it.
“Warren, I’ll call you back in five,” I said and closed out of the conference call, effectively hanging up on him. “Talk to me. What are we going to do?”
“I can’t lose shared custody of my daughter, Dylan. I can’t. I need to go home and deal with Dante in person.” Max stood up and paced in front of the window. “We’ve been living a fantasy on this ship. Now it’s time to face the real world again. We have a lot to figure out.”
“I love you, Max.”
“I love you too. This isn’t the end. Hopefully it’s just a temporary setback.”
“You’re right. But I…I’m scared. I don’t want to lose you.” My voice caught. Just the thought of being apart from Max had my entire body shaking.
“I’m scared too. But Blake comes first.”
Fuck, he was right. I rubbed my chest and wondered how I could go from feeling so full and happy only a day ago, to feeling struck down. My life was hitting another roadblock but this time, I didn’t know how to get around it. Maybe I just needed to turn the car around and drive home.
“I know.” I shook my head and sat down on the love seat. “I know. You’ve always been clear about that.”
There was no point in saying anything else. It wouldn’t change anything.
Max sat down beside me and pulled me into his arms. “I know this isn’t what we both want, but it’s not over between us. Do you believe me?”
I wanted to. I really did. And I knew Max meant what he said. But a part of me worried that once he was back to his normal, solid routine, he’d realize that I was only a bit of summer fun. He and his family didn’t need my crazy kind of life.
I nodded, and he cupped my cheeks, leaning in to give me a soft kiss. My eyes welled up and threatened to spill over. Max had never kissed me so slowly before. Like he was savoring it. The long kiss goodbye.
For now? Or for good?