Chapter 27
MAX
“Okay, so what do you think about the weekend?” I ask Aiden.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, are you working, or are you going to want to take part in some activities we have here?”
“Dude,” Aiden says. “We? Are you lumping yourself in with the true Penrose Beach people?”
I laugh. “They do a great job of pulling people in. Aside from the sea and relaxation that comes from it, there’s a camaraderie here that I’ve only gotten a small glimpse of.”
Aiden raises his eyebrows. “So you haven’t officially been inducted into their ranks?” He reaches over and picks up half of my sandwich taking a bite. “Wow, that’s really good. What kind of sauce is that?”
“I’m not sure. And sadly, no inductions. I’m sure I can pick out the people who oversee that part though,” I say jokingly.
“I’ve never been here for the opening weekend of Penrose Beach, and I’m super curious about it.
That they let people who live here test everything is a genius idea.
I mean, there are so many things that could go wrong, and why not fix them now, especially to have those first few weeks to go smoothly? ”
“That’s what I said. I just hope the couple at the bed-and-breakfast can fix what they need before their customers come in.”
“Well, we could always go help,” Aiden says, taking a sip of his coffee.
“That’s true,” I say. “It’s not like I have much more to do today. Talia is waiting for a few more supplies, so the progress on the apartments upstairs is stalled for today.”
Again, Aiden’s face when I mention Talia makes me want to laugh. It’s kind of a starstruck, frozen-in-time type expression. Is he terrified of her?
The door to the coffee shop opens, and his widen before he ducks down to hide in our table.
“What’s your problem?” I ask. “It’s me.”
He puts his index finger to his lips, shushing me. “Shut it.”
I turn slightly to see who he’s hiding from and look back at him with a grin. “It’s just Talia.”
He rolls his eyes at me. “It’s never just Talia.”
I lean forward. “Wait a second. Do you have a crush on her?”
It sounds like we’re still in high school even though we’re in our early thirties.
“Will you stop being so loud?” he whispers.
“I will when you tell me what your deal is with Talia.”
He still has his head ducked down a bit as he stares at his cup.
He takes a quick glance at my contractor, who’s in line for a coffee.
It makes me feel good that people are coming in now that they can see what this place is supposed to be.
And the coffee is some of the best I’ve had, which is saying something with my extensive yearly travel schedule. The sandwich is delicious as well.
“Talia and I were good friends every summer when we’d come down to stay, and I might have thought she was one of the funniest people I’d ever met.”
“She cracks jokes?” I ask. She’s always so serious.
Bobbing his head back and forth, Aiden says, “She has more of a dry humor. You know me though. Easy to please and always ready for a laugh.”
“So have you been on a date or anything?” I ask, trying to get some kind of information.
Aiden frowns. “No, nothing like that. We’ve just been working—well, I’ve just been working—the past few years and haven’t made it down here. It was never anything serious.”
“And you want there to be something more serious,” I say with a grin. “Like, say, a kiss or two?”
Aiden pinches his lips together and frowns at me. “Shut it or I’m calling Wolfgang.”
I raise my hands in surrender. “Okay, I can understand wanting to keep some things to yourself for a bit.”
I glance over at Avery and stare at her for a little too long. What am I? Just a teenager with a crush who’s grown up and drinking coffee instead of grabbing a milkshake.
Aiden is silent for several seconds, and he looks up to where Talia is waiting next to the counter. “Yeah, I would love to take her on a date.”
“So what’s your problem?” I say, laughing at him. “Take her to one of the events this weekend.”
“Oh yeah, you think this is so funny?” Aiden says, balling up the paper wrapper from something and throwing it at me.
“Well, I mean, you’re usually the one who’s so composed, and I’ve never seen you so squirrely. We can even double date or something. I mean, this weekend is the best time for it.”
“I thought you were trying to get your apartment done. You’re willing to sacrifice the speed for that?”
“Every day of the week. If I can see you this uncomfortable, then it’s totally worth it.” I laugh and lightly punch Aiden in the shoulder.
He glares at me, folding his arms across his chest. “Well, what about you and the woman behind the counter?”
“I like her,” I say.
“Have you guys been on a date yet?”
“Yes. No. Well, kind of. We played games at her flat. I’ve given her my number, but yet to get a response. She did say she’d go to try out a restaurant with me this weekend.”
Aiden’s phone rings, and he pulls it out, showing my father’s name on the screen.
“He’s already called me ten times since yesterday. I can’t hold him off much longer.”
I don’t know if it’s because I’m sick of the idea looming over me or what, but I reach over and take the phone from Aiden. I answer it while sliding out of the booth and walking out the front door. I need the calming quality of the beach to guide me right now.
“This is Max.”
There’s a moment of hesitation on the line, then Wolfgang finally says, “Where have you been? We’ve all been worried.”
A feel a twinge of guilt. “I needed to get away for a while.”
“Well, get on a plane and come back from wherever you are. There are so many things to do.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I’ve been fixing things for longer than I can remember. Is something wrong at the company?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Then what is it?” I say with more force than I’ve ever managed with him.
“You need to propose to Victoria so we can start planning the wedding.”
I let out a long sigh and start walking across the beach to the small bench that has become my favorite lately.
“Why do you think I left, Dad? I don’t want to marry her.”
“We don’t always get what we want, son,” Wolfgang says with what sounds like veiled anger.
I stare out at the sea. The beauty as the waves crash along the beach give me something to focus on.
“I’m sure that’s not true for some,” I say.
“Where are you? I’ll come get you.”
“I have obligations to see through here. I’ll be back in New York soon enough.”
“The Meiers aren’t going to wait long.”
“Dad, why the rush? Why does it have to be Victoria Meier? Why can’t it be someone I choose?” Like Avery Parker. Then again, we haven’t been on a real date yet, so jumping to a proposal would be a little much.
“Because love makes people blind, Maximus, and when you have as much money as you do, there will be all kinds of people trying to worm their way into your heart. Let your mother and I use clear heads to decide for you.”
I think of Avery turning down the hundred-dollar tip I tried to give her for helping me with gas. That was before she even knew anything about me.
“There are still good people out there, ones who won’t try to take advantage. There’s got to be one who will love me for me.” As true as the words are, I wish I could pull them back. They’ll only be used as ammunition by Wolfgang Bauer.
“You might think so, but that’s not the case, son. Once people find out about your fortune, they’ll flock to you.”
I turn to watch people walking on the boardwalk. What if I were behind the mega-resort? Would they kill me with kindness or bring out the pitchforks?
“You think Victoria won’t be any different?” I ask, my mind switching to debate.
“She’s a Meier. She was born into this life and knows everything that comes with it.”
I let out a long breath, trying to give confidence to my next words. “I came out here because I need a break from everything. There are important decisions to be made, and I need the time to weigh each side.”
“Come back to New York, and we’ll make them together.”
I have a moment of longing, a moment where this feels like a childhood dream never realized. My father as a guide through life’s decisions? I’ve never experienced that without him controlling the situation completely.
“No, I need more time. Give me another week, and I’ll give you your answer.”
Instead of saying anything else, or letting him try and talk me down, I end the call, letting the phone rest in my lap.
I’m there a few minutes before Aiden approaches, taking a seat next to me. “How did that go?” he asks, as if creeping toward a wild animal.
“Not well,” I say, handing him his phone.
“So, are you heading back to New York now?”
I stare at the waves. “No. I came out here for space, and I’m going to stay here for at least another week.”
“Good, because I didn’t want to hang out here without you.”
Wolfgang’s words swirl in my mind, and I turn to look at Aiden. “Do you think people are willing to be around us despite our money?”
I’m sure to the regular person, my question would be arrogant, but it’s a basic need at this point. I can do many things, but I won’t buy friends.
Aiden grins with confidence. “Yeah, I’ve met many who don’t care about money.”
“Obviously I’m having that kind of luck.”
“Did you tell your dad you wouldn’t marry Victoria?”
“Yes, but I doubt he registered it.”
Aiden frowns. “So prepare for another barrage of phone calls?”
“Hopefully he’ll give me the space I need to figure this out.”
Heavy on the hope.