Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Zoe
MaxMc: I can’t believe you chose San Diego over me. After everything I did for you . . . I’m shocked.
Zoe: I didn’t choose. I was invited and couldn’t say no. Lily insisted, since I have Monday off. And if you recall, you’ve been choosing work over me all week.
MaxMc: You have Monday off because you were going to Vermont with me—for the weekend. I thought you said my mouth was something you could get used to. I promised to use it all weekend long.
Zoe: You’re the one who left me hanging last night, after you promised to play with my scarves.
MaxMc: I did apologize for not being able to see you but Caleb and I are trying to cover for Lee and Ethan. One is on his honeymoon period and the other is organizing his wedding. My sister is becoming a little Bridezilla and you left me for her.
Zoe: She’s not Bridezilla and you need to understand that I couldn’t say no to Lily and Audrey. I didn’t have any excuse to stay in Boston.
MaxMc: You could’ve said a friend invited you somewhere.
Zoe: Which friend? And I can’t say it’s you, remember? This new arrangement is secret.
MaxMc: Fine.
Zoe: That means we have to pretend we barely like each other when we’re together.
MaxMc: More rules?
Zoe: Yep, more rules.
MaxMc: You’re killing me, woman.
Zoe: (grin emoji)
MaxMc: There’s nothing to be proud of. You’re pushing my hard limit too far.
Zoe: You were a Navy SEAL. Aren’t you supposed to be by the book?
MaxMc: Only when it matters or puts people in danger.
Zoe: My rules matter.
MaxMc: Pretending I can’t stand you doesn’ t matter to me.
Zoe: Well it does to me. If Mom knows what we’re doing, she’s going to call you rebound guy and then she’ll start looking for another blind date for me because maybe he’s marriage material. I can’t deal with that right now.
MaxMc: How is she going to know?
Zoe: I don’t know. Your circle of friends is pretty chatty. One person talks and suddenly the entire country knows what’s happening.
MaxMc: You’re exaggerating.
Zoe: Take Audrey’s engagement.
MaxMc: That’s my mother, not my circle of friends.
Zoe: Even worse. I’ve heard horror stories about your mom too. She has a wedding book for you and another for Jacob.
MaxMc: That’s a lie.
Zoe: What if it’s not? She learns you’re having some kind of . . . whatever it is we’re having and the next thing I know, she’s going to knock at my door and take my measurements for the wedding dress.
MaxMc: I never thought someone would be so scared of my mother.
Zoe: Petrified.
MaxMc: Don’t worry, I’ll never introduce you to her.
Zoe: (relieved face emoji)
MaxMc: See you when you’re back?
Zoe: Why don’t you just come to San Diego? You don’t like it? What’s the big deal?
MaxMc: I go there often. Who told you that lie?
Zoe: The point is that you’re either avoiding San Diego or Liam’s place. Which one is it?
MaxMc: Neither.
Zoe: Don’t lie to me, McCallister.
MaxMc: His house.
Zoe: Why?
MaxMc: His neighbor. I thought . . . I mean it was a great weekend but then she didn’t understand the part where I said that I don’t do relationships.
Zoe: Ooh, there’s the tea.
MaxMc: Don’t you dare tell anyone.
Zoe: My lips are sealed, but this might cost you.
MaxMc: No, it’ll cost you.
Zoe: Whatever, it’s time for me to go to the beach. Miss me.
“We said no work this weekend,” Lily says as she approaches me, her eyebrows narrowed in suspicion.
I put away my phone and smile casually, hoping my face isn’t as flushed as it feels. “Sorry, it was Lora trying to persuade me to go in on Monday. You know how she is,” I lie, because the last thing I want is for her to think I’m texting a guy. Especially not a certain tall, dark, and annoyingly charming guy.
I hate not telling her what’s happening right now, but I’m just having fun with Max and I feel like telling anyone is going to make it too . . . too much. It’s like I told him the night first time. We can’t go all the way because that might make it feel too serious, plus it’ll break his rule of never having sex with the same woman twice.
“We’re leaving Sunday night. You’d be crazy to head back to work the next morning,” Audrey says as she hands me a glass of champagne. “Lavender lemonade with prosecco.”
“My favorite,” I say, smiling as I take a sip, grateful for the distraction.
Just like her brother, she’s pretty accommodating with my dietary restrictions and always has something on hand, so I don’t feel left out. It’s sweet, really. Not that I’m thinking about how sweet Max is. Nope. Not at all.
“Max sent us some groceries and the prosecco because he thought he’d be coming but then canceled,” Audrey adds, and I nearly choke on my drink.
“Oh?” I manage to squeak out, trying to sound nonchalant. “That’s . . . thoughtful of him.”
Lily narrows her eyes at me. “You okay, Zoe? You look a little flushed.”
“I’m fine,” I say, a bit too quickly. “Just . . . excited for our girls’ weekend. Yay, us. ”
Thankfully, I didn’t try to become an actress, or I would’ve failed miserably.
As I raise my glass in a hasty toast, I can’t help but wonder what Max is up to right now. And why the thought of him makes my heart do a little flip. This is just fun, right? Nothing serious. Nothing at all.
“So let me get this straight, Max was coming?” Lily asks, a little baffled. “I thought he hated San Diego.”
Audrey rolls her eyes. “I’m pretty sure it’s the house. Either way, he did send stuff, like gluten-free bread and . . . I mean, it’s cool because I was going to go grocery shopping. He actually saved me a trip.”
“Oh,” I mumble, starting to think that maybe he really did this for me. Nah, that’s impossible. Isn’t it?
“Max just texted,” Ethan calls from somewhere in the house where he’s talking with Liam.
“Don’t tell me, he regretted his decision and now he’s coming,” Audrey says excitedly.
“Nope, he just wanted to let me know that he made reservations for you guys at some restaurant in La Jolla. The chef has a special meal or something.” Liam comes back, exasperated. “I swear sometimes he doesn’t trust that I’ll take care of you.”
Audrey smiles and hugs her fiancé, giving him a swoony kiss. “He just wants to make sure everything is perfect. You know how protective he is.”
“Overprotective and a control freak?” Liam teases.
“Exactly.” Audrey laughs. “But in a good way.”
I just smile because my mind is telling me something else. I take another sip of my champagne. The lavender lemonade and prosecco combination is delicious and refreshing.
Lily nudges me playfully. “So, are we going to take him up on his offer and check out this fancy restaurant?”
“I can’t just eat anywhere,” I remind her, trying not to sound too excited about Max’s thoughtfulness, even when it’s not for me.
“He’s taken care of it,” Ethan says. “I told him about it, and he said he’ll arrange it so you don’t feel left out.”
“Let’s go to the beach,” Audrey suggests.
But as we gather our things, I can’t help but think about Max and his sudden invitation to this restaurant. I grab my phone and text him.
Zoe: Why this restaurant?
MaxMc: I want you to enjoy the girls’ weekend, babe.
Zoe: Another chef who owes you a favor?
MaxMc: Just enjoy, okay.
Zoe: Thank you for the groceries.
MaxMc: Anything for you. Text me late at night—maybe we can still have some fun.
I nearly drop my phone, my cheeks burning. Oh, Max McCallister, what are you doing to me?
“Everything okay?” Lily asks, eyeing me suspiciously.
“Yep,” I squeak, shoving my phone into my bag. “Just . . . excited for the beach. And dinner. You know, normal stuff. Nothing weird at all.”
As we head out, I can’t help but wonder why the thought of Max being so thoughtful makes me feel all hot inside. This is just fun, right? Just two friends . . . who sometimes skinny dip, use their mouths on each other’s bodies and maybe sext.
Totally normal. Right?