Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
O ver the course of the next days, they stayed so busy, there was no chance of a repeat of that first night together.
His mother had called him that next morning and filled him in on how the appointment had gone for Faye.
“Nothing but another disappointment,” his mother had claimed. “This doctor wants to remove the cochlear implant. He thinks it may be the cause of her headaches and the reason her vision is starting to blur.”
“Then do it,” he suggested.
“It’s not that simple. Faye has gotten used to having that part of her hearing back. If they remove the implant, then she goes back to hearing…”
“Nothing,” he finished for his mother.
“It’s a price she’s unwilling to pay at this point.” His mother finished with a deep sigh. “We’re in a holding pattern until she decides.”
“Keep me posted,” he had said before hanging up.
That conversation played over in his mind while he kept himself busy. The conversation he and Juliette had had on the beach also replayed. He told himself it was good that neither of them were ready to commit to anything long term, but in truth, he kept dreaming about it. About what life would be like if she moved in with him. If they committed to one another longer than, well, short term.
Since his kitchen was almost completely put together now, he’d gone shopping and had filled his fridge and new cupboards. He was planning on asking Juliette over for a proper date and cooking for her that weekend.
He’d picked up some fresh salmon and locally grown vegetables for the occasion, hoping to impress her with his cooking skills. His bedroom now held a newly delivered king-size bed complete with new sheets, pillows, and a comforter.
Today, the men were finishing up on the deck that now sat off his bedroom as well as working in the bathrooms.
They had finished his dining room, which sat empty because he had yet to purchase a table and chairs for the space.
His shower now had marble tile walls, a newly built bench, and even a niche that would hold his shampoo bottles. They were still waiting on the glass wall and doors to be installed, but he’d used the thing last night and was thankful he no longer had to shower outside with the hose.
Max stood at the edge of the new deck, staring out at the view he hadn’t quite let himself appreciate from this spot yet. The ocean stretched out endlessly before him, the rhythmic crash of the waves below blending with the sound of hammers and drills behind him. The men were hard at work, moving in and out of the house as they finished the bathrooms and put the final touches on the deck.
Juliette was in full work mode, setting up her cameras in different spots to capture time-lapse footage of the construction. He watched as she adjusted the angle on one of the tripods, her bottom lip caught between her teeth in concentration. Damn, she was sexy when she got like this—completely lost in her work, oblivious to everything else around her.
She must have felt him staring because she glanced up, catching his eye with a smirk. “You’re supposed to be working,” she teased.
Max chuckled and crossed his arms. “I am working. I’m supervising.”
She snorted. “Supervising? Is that what we’re calling standing around and looking pretty?”
“Absolutely.” He leaned against the new railing. “Gotta make sure everything’s up to my very high standards.”
Juliette rolled her eyes but grinned. She gave her camera one last check before moving closer to him. “Okay, so tell me what’s on the agenda today.”
He gestured behind them. “The guys are finishing up the bathrooms, and the deck is just about done—just need to seal it and make sure everything’s solid. And your favorite—plumbing work.”
She groaned dramatically. “I swear, every time I come here, there’s something to do with plumbing. I should start charging extra to crawl around under cupboards with Palmer’s workers.”
Max smirked. “I’ll give you a bonus this weekend.”
Juliette raised an eyebrow. “What kind of bonus?”
“How about a home-cooked meal prepared in a new kitchen?”
“Tempting.” She smiled and leaned closer. “We never discussed if you could cook.”
“I can.” He straightened, suddenly feeling a little nervous, which was ridiculous. “I’ve had zero complaints. Both of my sisters claim I’m the best in the family.”
She tilted her head slightly. “I’m better than my brother but my mom is by far the best.”
Max exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck. “So, I figured this weekend, I’d make dinner, something official.” He hesitated before adding, “Like a real date.”
Juliette slowly smiled. “Like… a for-real date?”
“Yeah.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “A good meal, some wine, some good company.” He met her eyes. “Maybe a sleepover?”
She studied him for a moment, and he could practically see the wheels turning in her head. Then, a slow smile spread across her lips. “As long as you include dessert,” she said, “then I’m in.”
Relief washed over him, though he played it cool. “Oh, I’ll definitely have dessert. Just wait—you’re about to be seriously impressed.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “I already am, Max.”
The rest of the week zipped by. They finished work in his bathroom, including the glass wall and door for his shower, and had moved on to the other bathroom and bedrooms.
Then they hit a major pipe that brought in the water, soaking the bathroom and bedroom that it was attached to, and it took them two whole days to repair the mess.
Even that setback couldn’t dim his excitement for Friday night when it finally came. The water in the house was back on and he’d even decided on the dessert he was going to make with the salmon.
He’d never made a crème br?lée before but seriously, how hard could it be?
After the workers left Friday, Juliette headed home to shower and change. He had three hours before she would return expecting food, wine, dessert, and him.
First things first, he’d showered off the dirt and sweat from the day’s work before conquering the dessert. That way he could have plenty of time to chill it before they dug in after dinner.
Unfortunately, he burned the first batch and had to toss the entire pan out. The second one had been too runny. By the time his third try was chilling, he had less than fifteen minutes to prep the food and set the scene.
Running around the house, he quickly tossed the tablecloth on the table, which he had moved into the formal dining room, and set his new dishes and silverware on each placemat. Then he put the new candles he’d purchased from Classy and Sassy that week in the middle of the table and lit them. He got the salmon, which he had pre-seasoned, into the oven.
The veggies he put in his new air fryer, along with seasoning and butter.
He cooked up a box of rice while watching the salmon and veggies so they didn’t overcook. He didn’t have extra salmon and if he burnt it, the night would be ruined.
When he heard his doorbell ring, he smiled and pulled the salmon out of the oven and shut off his air fryer. Everything was done. All he had to do was plate it, and he figured he’d do that after she had arrived.
Wiping off his hands, he straightened his shirt and went to open the door with a huge smile on his face.
His eagerness for the night fell away quickly when he saw Gabriella standing there in a skimpy summer dress, looking fresh and eager.
“There you are.” She threw her arms around him and kissed him square on the lips before he could jerk away.
Just then, he heard someone clear their throat and, to his horror, he realized that Juliette was also standing on his front stoop.
Seeing the questioning look on her face freed him from his stupor. The sexy blue dress she was wearing hugged her curves and had his mouth drooling.
Pushing Gabriella back a whole step, he cleared his throat.
“Juliette.” He took her hand and pulled her closer to him. Seeing her smile slightly, he realized she knew what was up. Thankfully. “This is, um, Gabriella.”
“Yes,” Juliette said softly, “we met before you opened your door.”
“Juliette, that’s the one helping you with all your wonderful films that you’re making while working on… this place?” She glanced around slowly.
“She is,” he agreed, knowing full well Gabriella was trying to get invited inside.
That thought, the possibility of his evening with Juliette being ruined, had him trying desperately to figure out how to get her to leave quickly without being too rude.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t see any chance of that happening, not when she wrapped her arm around his and purred.
“So, why don’t you deal with whatever Juliette needs from you and then let me in? I’d simply love a tour of your new place.”
Juliette’s smile grew strained as she waited for him to speak. “Yes, Max, why don’t you deal with me first.”
He knew she was egging him on, but at that moment, he couldn’t think of anything better to do than laugh.
“Are you okay?” Gabriella asked with a frown.
“I think he’s just taking it all in,” Juliette supplied.
Max sobered and then straightened.
“Gabriella, your visit is unexpected. Juliette’s is not. She’s here by my request for a romantic dinner. For two.” He pulled Juliette closer to him.
He watched the expert actress instantly hide her annoyance at his words. Gabriella’s perfectly glossed lips curved into a smile, but Max wasn’t fooled. He knew her too well. That little flicker in her eyes. Annoyance, frustration—maybe even a little jealousy.
“Oh, Max,” she sighed, shifting her stance to lean in just slightly. “You were never so quick to draw lines.” She let out a soft chuckle and slid her hand down his arm before finally stepping back. “I didn’t realize you were serious about… all this.” Her gaze flickered towards Juliette before landing back on him.
Max tightened his hold on Juliette’s waist, making his stance clear. “I am.”
Juliette didn’t say anything, but he could feel the tension in her body. She was holding herself still, watching the interaction unfold like a silent observer, but Max knew she wasn’t unaffected.
Gabriella tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “Well, then. I suppose I shouldn’t keep you.” She let out a dramatic sigh, smoothing down the tiny dress that barely covered her thighs. “You’ll call me, though? We have so much to catch up on.”
“I doubt it,” Max said flatly.
Juliette bit her lip, suppressing a laugh, and he could tell she was enjoying this more than she was letting on.
Gabriella’s eyes narrowed just slightly before she smiled again, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Fine,” she said breezily. “Enjoy your little…”—her eyes moved over Juliette as if she was unimpressed—“project. You know where I am when you grow bored of all… this.”
She turned on her heel and strutted down the steps, the picture of effortless confidence, but Max could tell from the way she didn’t glance back that she wasn’t pleased. He waited until her Lamborghini disappeared down the driveway before exhaling and turning to Juliette.
“Sorry about that,” he muttered.
“You have no reason to apologize. She practically attacked you the second you opened the door.”
He huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, she has a habit of doing that.”
Juliette’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “I don’t think she liked me very much.”
Max grinned. “That’s because you’re competition.” He took both of her hands in his, his voice turning softer. “You look amazing, by the way.” Her smile deepened. “You ready for dinner?”
Juliette looked up at him, something warm and knowing in her gaze. “More than ready.”
With that, he led her inside, shutting the door on any lingering ghosts from his past. Tonight was about the future. Their future. And nothing—not even Gabriella—was going to ruin that.