Making Waves (Lobster Bay Book 3)

by Meredith Summers

  “I figure her work number is the one actually printed on it, but this is seven digits. So it’s probably a personal number she gives out to a select few.” Maxi turned to Jane. “Remember when you thought you saw James with Sandee at the cottage?”

  Jane nodded solemnly. “But you said you weren’t in the market to buy one.”

  “Right. I don’t think James was there looking at real estate... if you know what I mean.”

  “There could be a logical explanation—” Jane started, but Maxi cut her off.

  “That’s what I hoped at first. But then I thought about all the nights he came home late and how things have been strained between us. The real kicker was the other day when I saw him pulling out of the spot next to the real estate office, and he pretended that he didn’t even see me!”

  Claire’s eyes narrowed. “And you think he was visiting Sandee. In broad daylight? That would be just like her. She’s a home-wrecker with no conscience.”

  Maxi knew very well what Sandee was capable of. She’d lived through it with Claire when Claire’s husband, Peter, had cheated on her with Sandee. And now it was happening to her. But it had worked out good for Claire. She’d eventually been able to start Sandcastles and now had everything she’d ever wanted, including a new devoted boyfriend. In a way, it had inspired Maxi because she knew that she, too, could use this as a way to reinvent herself into everything she always wanted to be. Just without the boyfriend.

  “And he admitted to seeing her?” Jane’s tone was skeptical.

  “No, not really. But when I confronted him about pretending not to see me in the street, he lied and said he wasn’t there!” Maxi took a long sip of her drink. “I know him well enough to know when he’s lying.”

  “I can’t believe it.” Jane's expression softened with sympathy. “You always seemed so good together. What can I do to help?”

  Maxi shook her head. “Nothing. I’m doing fine, really.”

  “You are?” Claire studied her. “Sometimes it doesn’t hit you for a while. If you need to talk, please let me know. I’ve been there.”

  Maxi appreciated her friends’ offers to help, but she was surprised to find that she really was doing okay. “I’m just focusing on the future. I love the little cottage. I’ve been painting and... I have a new man in my life.”

  Claire and Jane were taken aback. “So soon?”

  Maxi pulled her phone out of her tote. She’d taken several pictures of Rembrandt to show them. She'd yet to tell them about the cat and was excited to surprise them. She thumbed through for her favorite, the one in which he was reaching up with one paw at her.

  “His name is Rembrandt.”

  Claire and Jane tilted their heads to look at the phone.

  “How adorable!”

  “How old is he?”

  “He’s only six months.” Maxi’s heart swelled as she swiped to the next photo of him curled up and sleeping on the couch.

  “Already spoiled, I see,” Claire said.

  “He’s great company. And the cottage is coming around.” Maxi took her phone back. “Do you guys want to come over and meet him and see the place tomorrow night?”

  “Of course!” Jane said.

  “That would be perfect,” Claire agreed.

  “Good. I might be really busy the next couple of days.” Despite the grim news about her marriage, Maxi was bubbling over to tell her best friends about her show in the art gallery.

  “Oh? Why is that?” Jane asked around a mouth of fries.

  “I’m going to be showing three paintings in Chandler Vanbeck’s new art gallery.”

  Claire’s and Jane’s eyes grew wide.

  Jane clapped her hands. “That’s wonderful!”

  “Congratulations! I’m so excited for you!” Claire held up her drink, and they all clinked glasses.

  Maxi took a deep breath. “I’m not going to lie, I’m terrified. But I met with Chandler Vanbeck, and I figured if I turned him down, he might not offer again so...”

  “You’ll do great,” Jane assured.

  “Well, I don’t have time to dwell on it because he wants three paintings, and I only have a couple of days to get them done.”

  “Oh, I guess you will be busy.”

  “I think that will be good. I feel like this is a new chance for me to do all the things I never did when I was busy raising the kids and being a model wife.” Maxi made a face. “All the things that James didn’t seem to approve of.”

  “Good for you. I know it hurts now, but look at me. Peter hooking up with Sandee was really for the best.” Claire glanced around the restaurant then lowered her voice. “And I can’t say it does feel like just deserts that Sandee is cheating on Peter. He deserves it.”

  “Payback is a bitch.” Jane bit into the pineapple from her drink.

  “Yeah, he deserves it.” Maxi’s look turned serious. “But don’t let that poison you about all guys. Your two seem to be real gems.”

  Both Claire and Jane blushed.

  “Let’s hope so. I’m taking things slow,” Jane said.

  “Me too,” Claire agreed. “Actually, I think our two guys are over at Salty’s watching the ball game together.”

  Jane’s left brow quirked up. “Oh? Good for them. I wouldn’t want them to get too dependent on hanging out with us. We girls need our space.”

  “Here, here.” Maxi raised her glass, and they all clinked again.

  Chapter Nine

  James’s hunch that Maxi might be at Splash with Jane and Claire turned out to be correct. She looked happy, laughing and talking and sipping one of those frou-frou drinks she liked. She looked good, too, in one of those shirts with the wide loose sleeves that she sometimes wore.

  He loved seeing her happy, but this time, it broke his heart because she wasn’t happy with him. When was the last time they’d laughed together like that?

  He stood in the shadows on the beach where he could see the patio, but no one could see him. He felt like a creepy stalker, but he wasn’t stalking Maxi, not really. It was just that he’d been so desperate to see if she was okay that he’d taken to scoping out the places that she liked to frequent.

  But now that he’d seen her, he knew he should leave. He turned, causing an avalanche of sand to fall into his Italian leather loafers. Darn it! Those things cost a bundle and were shined to perfection. He bent down to brush them off, taking care of a few white hairs Picasso had managed to deposit on the cuff of his slacks in the process.

  He probably shouldn’t have worn his good slacks and shoes to the beach, but James prided himself on his appearance. That was one thing he and Maxi had in common... they always dressed properly.

  Except...

  He glanced back over at the patio. Maxi wasn’t wearing one of her usual muted-toned tailored outfits but was wearing something colorful and loose. She usually dressed in a more business-like manner. He’d complimented her on that many times, telling her she looked classy. But he’d noticed whenever he traveled, she took to wearing the more bohemian-style outfits... was that because of his influence? He liked those outfits, too, but he’d never complimented her on them.

  Now that he thought back, Maxi had tried to encourage him to dress down a bit. Like he used to when they were younger, she'd said. Was that one of the reasons she was unhappy with him? He had been less conservative in their younger days, but once he started moving up in the bank, he had more responsibility and had to keep up appearances. He couldn’t act or dress like a carefree youth anymore. Had he gone too far?

  Walking in the dark back to the parking lot, James wondered if it wasn’t time to make a change. Looking around, he noticed the other people walking in and out of the shops had on T-shirts and shorts. No one was dressed for success. He looked out of place.

  Maybe it was time for a change. Maybe it was time to loosen up a bit about his reputation and how things looked.

  James headed up the street toward a crowded tavern he’d seen a few streets over. He was going to
do something he hardly ever did anymore. He was going to a bar for a beer.

  “Yes!” Mike Henderson fist-bumped Rob Bradford as the Red Sox scored a triple homer. They were playing against the Yankees, and everyone in Salty’s was jazzed that they were winning.

  Mike didn’t know Rob well, but he liked him. He seemed like a stand-up guy, and Jane had said he’d helped her a lot with her mother. That was good enough for him.

  “Hey, is that Maxi’s husband over there?” Rob nodded his chin toward the door.

  Mike squinted through the crowd. He’d only met Maxi’s husband, James, a couple of times in passing, but it did look like the guy. “I think so.”

  “Looks like he just got out of a boardroom meeting,” Rob said. “Should we invite him to join us?”

  “Sure. Maxi, Jane, and Claire are all together, so we might as well be too.” Mike turned and waved at James. The guy really did look like he’d come from a board meeting with his linen slacks and polo shirt, quite a contrast to Mike’s black T-shirt and tan board shorts.

  It took a second for James to recognize Mike and figure out that he was waving him over. They shook hands all around, and then James pulled a barstool up to the pub table they were sitting at and ordered a Sam Adams Boston Lager.

  “So, you looking for something to do while Maxi is out with Jane and Claire?” Rob asked.

  James glanced from Rob to Mike. “I... I guess you could say that.”

  Mike could sense something was off. “They’re at Splash, aren’t they?”

  “Yeah, it’s just...” James let his voice trail off and looked down into his beer.

  “Is something wrong?” Rob must have picked up on the vibe too.

  James sighed. “It’s just that Maxi and I aren’t together anymore. I would have thought you guys knew that from Jane and Claire.”

  “What? No.” Rob looked at Mike.

  Mike shrugged and shook his head. Jane hadn’t mentioned anything, but this didn’t seem like something she would talk lightly about. Maxi and James had been married a long time. They had kids. This was serious.

  “What happened?” Mike asked.

  James shrugged. “I wish I knew. I came home the other day, and she had her bags packed.”

  “With no warning?” Rob looked skeptical.

  James grimaced. “Well, now that I look back, I could see she was bored after the kids left. I encouraged her to take up painting. Thought that would be enough, but I guess not.”

  “Darn, tough break.” Rob swigged his beer, his eyes drifting back to the television.

  “I just can’t figure it out.” James sounded downright despondent. “I wish I knew why she was so mad. I’d try to rectify it if I knew what to do.”

  Mike shrugged. “Who knows what women want? Sometimes they’re hard to figure out.” Like Mike’s last girlfriend, Tiffany. She’d kept him on his toes by saying one thing but then doing the opposite. And no one should even get him started on how she refused to accept that they were broken up, even though he’d explained it to her face-to-face and in the nicest way possible. Maybe he’d been too nice about it? Even now, he felt a pang of dread when he looked at his phone, thinking it might be her with another text expecting them to get back together.

  Thankfully, Jane wasn’t like that. At least she didn’t seem to be. It might have been because Tiffany had been a lot younger than Mike, and Jane was eight years older, or maybe it was just that their relationship was so new that she was on her best behavior. Either way, Mike had already discovered that Jane was a lot more mature.

  “So I guess Jane or Claire didn’t say anything about why Maxi left?” James had a pleading look in his eye that reminded Mike of how Cooper looked when he wanted some table scraps.

  “No. Sorry.” Rob did sound genuinely sorry.

  James took a pull of his beer. “I just wish I knew what to do to get her back. I don’t want to push her—I get that she probably needs some space. I thought she’d come back after a night away, but it’s been a couple of days now, and I don’t think she is. I’m clueless as to what to do to get her back.”

  The poor guy was miserable. Too bad Mike had no idea how to help him. But he knew a few people that might. “If you really want to know what to do to get Maxi back, then I think you need to talk to Jane and Claire.”

  Chapter Ten

  “Maxi really seems to be doing well,” Jane said the next morning as she stood outside Sandcastles, talking to Claire. She was waiting to meet Mike so they could take Cooper for a walk on the beach then head to Tall Pines to visit her mother and his grandfather.

  “Yeah, almost too well.” Claire handed Jane a white bakery bag. Inside were two chocolate chip muffins, Addie’s favorites. “Take these to your mom.”

  “Thanks.” Jane opened the bag, stuck her nose in, and closed her eyes as she inhaled. “Smells delicious. Anyway, I hope Maxi can keep her spirits up. She certainly is keeping busy with the paintings for the art show, and she also volunteered to paint the candles for the wedding.”

  “That art show is going to be really good for her.” Claire bent to pet Cooper, who had been obediently sitting next to Jane, watching their conversation. “How is the wedding going?”

  Jane rolled her eyes. “I can’t wait until it’s over. I’m thinking about putting Andie in charge of guest check-in.”

  Claire’s left brow quirked up. “Oh? So does that mean Andie is staying?”

  “She hasn’t said as much, but she also hasn’t said anything about leaving either.” Jane didn’t want to get her hopes up, but she really did want her sister to stay. She’d seen her in a different light over the past two weeks, and they’d bridged some of the gap that had happened in their relationship over the last few decades.

  Claire’s eyes drifted over Jane’s shoulder, and her face immediately lit in a smile. Jane didn’t have to turn around to know that Rob Bradford was coming from his store across the street.

  “Hey, Jane, how are you?” Rob came to stand beside Claire, his smile matching hers.

  “Good. You? How's the bread biz?”

  “Great. Gaining business every day.” Rob looked over at his store with pride. “I love being here in Lobster Bay. In fact, last night Mike and I had a great time at Salty’s. Ran into Maxi’s husband there.” Rob’s expression turned serious. “I didn’t realize they were having trouble.”

  Jane’s warm feelings were replaced by anger for James. “Yeah, turned out he’s not such a great guy.”

  “After all those years of marriage. We’ve known him as long as Maxi, and I’ve always liked him, even though he’s a bit stuffy,” Claire said. “But I never expected he was a cheater.”

  “A cheater?” Rob frowned at Claire. “What do you mean?”

  Claire glanced around to make sure they couldn’t be overheard. “Yes, he cheated on Maxi. That’s why she left.”

  Rob made a face. “Are you sure? Because the guy I talked to last night didn’t seem like a cheater. In fact, he seemed oblivious to the reasons why Maxi left.”

  “Huh? That can’t be right.”

  Cooper let out a small bark, and his tail started thumping. Jane turned to see Mike coming up the street. As he joined the group, he took Cooper’s leash, his hand brushing Jane’s and causing her heart to flutter.

  “Hey, Mike.” Rob and Mike shook hands. “Didn’t you think James seemed sincerely baffled as to why Maxi left when we talked to him last night?”

  “Yeah, the guy was practically crying.”

  “Claire and Jane said that Maxi thinks he cheated,” Rob said.

  “Cheated? No. He wants her back. Did she talk to him about the cheating? Because he didn’t mention that. He seemed genuinely in the dark about what was bothering her. I think he’d know what it was if he was cheating on her.” Mike bent down to rub Cooper’s neck.

  Claire pressed her lips together. “Well, I don’t think she mentioned it exactly, but he’s been acting funny, and she found a card with a phone number.”

/>   “Is it possible this is just a miscommunication?” Rob asked.

  Claire shook her head. “I don’t think so. There were other signs.”

  Rob shrugged. “I don’t know. If you saw how James was last night, the last thing I would suspect would be that he had another woman. If he did, why would he seem so clueless about why Maxi left and desperate to get her back?”

  Claire put her hands on her hips and looked up at Rob. “You’re too nice to notice, but cheaters always lie. I know from experience. I bet if I talked to him, I’d pick up the lie in a heartbeat.”

  “Good, because you’re going to get that chance.”

  “I am?” Claire asked.

  Mike nodded. “Yep, last night we advised James that if he wanted to get Maxi back, you and Jane were the ones to talk to.”

  Maxi glanced at the ocean then back at her painting. She leaned in, dabbing a line of bright-white paint along the top of the wave. She wanted her painting to be realistic, to capture the way it actually looked when the sun hit the foamy crest of the wave. She glanced back at the ocean. Not too bad.

  She’d been working for several hours, and this one was almost done. One down, two to go. But if she could finish them as quickly as this one, she’d have no problem making the deadline for the art show.

  Putting her brush in a bottle of turpentine, she stretched and flexed her fingers. Her hand was slightly cramped from holding the brush for so long, but it was surprising how quickly she got back into the rhythm of painting after not having done it for so long. The soothing cadence of the waves and the sea air helped.

  A noise drew her attention toward the cottage. Rembrandt sat on the back of the couch, looking out the window. He raised his paw and tapped on the glass, his adorable big eyes looking right at her. Her heart swelled. Adopting the cat definitely had been the right thing to do. He was good company, and she barely even missed James. Of course, that could be because James hadn’t been home much for the past few months anyway, so there wasn’t much to miss.