Orange Blossom Brides

by Tara Randel

  What had he said wrong? “Right. Again, thanks for the tux options.”

  She hung up after a soft goodbye, leaving Max to shake his head. He had to get her off his mind. He had a business to run, a tux to choose and Bart waiting for his first assignment. He turned to the window framing the pale green Gulf water sparkling in the morning sun. As much as he’d love to be out on a boat skimming the waves, his life was nothing if not demanding.

  With one last longing glance at the water, he moved away from the window before he chucked all common sense and took off for the day.

  By the time he made some phone calls and reviewed a couple of promising cases, the clock hit noon. He needed a breather. He stepped from his office as Blanche hung up the office phone.

  “Did you pick out a tux?”

  “Blanche, I have a business to run. This isn’t a modeling agency.”

  “You have to make a decision.”

  On so many things in his life. “Right now I’m deciding to eat lunch.”

  “I’ll look forward to a fashion show this afternoon.” She shot him a wide grin.

  Max scowled and jogged down the stairs, stepping out of the doorway onto the sidewalk in front of his office. Heaven save him from women. All women. From smart-alecky secretaries to persuasive society babes.

  * * ** * *

  LILLI GAVE UP her free Wednesday night for an emergency meeting at the club with the historical society charity committee. If she hadn’t known better, she would have thought Marisa had staged a coup. Each woman expressed concern over some plans or failure to carry out other plans. It had taken two hours to sort through the mess. Anyone else would have thrown her hands up walked away, but Lilli’s sense of responsibility kept her from doing just that.

  Finally, after nine o’clock, all she wanted to do was go home and down a few aspirin.

  “Mom, where are you?” she wondered out loud in the now empty room.

  Celeste still hadn’t come home. Ever the dutiful daughter, Lilli had checked in with her, keeping Celeste up to date. When Lilli asked when she’d be home, Celeste continued with vague answers. It was unusual for her mother to stay out of the action this long. Lilli had even called her father, but the call had gone to voice mail. Weird, because her father usually picked up when she called. What was up with her parents?

  With a sigh, she stuffed her tote bag. The lists, which had been getting smaller, had suddenly doubled in size, and she still had material to review for a possible new account at work. She needed to focus on work more and the benefit less.

  With work on her mind, she shouldered her bag, turned off the lights and stopped by the front desk to let the assistant manager, Tom, know the meeting had ended. He asked about planning, chatted about the bridal dress collection, wondering when the dresses would be brought to the club from the historical society office and assuring her the collection would be safe. His concern seemed overboard, and Max had security under control, but she appreciated his attention to detail.

  After saying goodbye, she headed to the nearly empty parking lot, more than ready to get home. The meeting had sapped what little energy she had left after a full day at work. Unlocking the driver’s side car door, she tossed her bag onto the passenger seat before sliding inside. Something felt off.

  She got out of the car and inspected the exterior, finding her front left tire flat. “What on earth...?” she muttered, already pulling out her cell phone. She scrolled through her numbers, trying to decide who she should call for help. She tried AAA, but the line was busy. She didn’t relish the idea of waiting alone in the parking lot at night. She supposed the attempted break-in at the historical society office still had her a little on edge.

  She found a phone number for a local automotive garage, but got an after-hours message for an emergency number. She called that number, only to hear another recording stating someone would call her back.

  Frustrated, she scrolled through the contact list again in hopes of finding another alternative when she came across Max’s office number. Should she bother him? He did tell her to call if she needed anything. A flat tire constituted need. She pressed the Send button, not expecting him to answer but secretly hoping he would.

  He picked up on the third ring. “Sanders.”

  “Max, it’s Lilli. Got a minute?”

  He hesitated a beat. “Sure. What’s up?”

  “I’m standing in the country club parking lot and I have a problem with my car.”

  His voice went from personally bothered to professionally alert. “What kind of problem?”

  “Flat tire.”

  Silence. Then, “Are you alone?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  He clicked off, not sounding thrilled at her request. She shouldn’t have bothered him. Should have waited on the line for AAA instead. Or she should have learned how to change a tire sometime in her life. It would have saved her the humiliation of a disgruntled Max Sanders showing up to save the day.

  About five minutes passed until Max pulled up in his truck. He jumped out, walking straight to her.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes.”

  He searched her face, as if looking for some hidden answer. Apparently satisfied, he nodded before turning to check out the damage. “I take it your car wasn’t in this condition when you left it?”

  “No. I had an emergency meeting tonight. When I got in the car to leave, I noticed something wrong.”

  “So you decided to call me?”

  In the overhead light, she saw the cocky rise of his eyebrow.

  “I couldn’t get through to AAA or the garage in town. Are you unhappy that I called you?”

  “Of course not,” he bit out. “Pop the trunk so I can get the spare.”

  Could he be any more underwhelmed? Lilli suddenly felt foolish for even thinking the spark of interest she’d sensed between them meant anything. Clearly, he didn’t want to be here. But he changed the tire, the muscles under his shirt flexing as he made short work of the task at hand. She couldn’t turn away.

  “What?” Max asked as he stood to put away the flat tire and tools.

  “Nothing. Look, I’m sorry I bothered you.”

  “Lilli...”

  She held up her hand. “I get it. You only came out here because you work for the historical society. You don’t have to be a friend. Don’t worry, unless it’s about the event, you won’t hear from me again.”

  “I didn’t mind.”

  At his calm tone and the concerned expression on his face, Lilli sighed. “My mother’s project is taking up too much of my time and I’m not even active in the society. A flat tire is icing on the cake.”

  “You aren’t part of the historical society?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “Technically, yes. My name is on the roster.” She let out a frustrated breath. “It’s a long story.”

  “I have time.”

  Surprised by his response, since a few minutes ago he’d seemed put out, she hesitated, not sure what to do. Should she confide in him? She wanted to. And she didn’t want to.

  What a mess. “It’s my problem and I’ve bothered you enough for one night.”

  “I’m happy to listen.”

  “Maybe another time.”

  Max shrugged tight shoulders. “Whatever you want. I’ll follow you home.”

  Much as she hated the ingrained response, her back went up. “There’s no need.”

  “Humor me.”

  The overhead light caught the steely resolve reflected in his eyes. Okay, so maybe she wasn’t used to having someone concerned about her welfare. “Okay, you win.”

  She got into her car and headed in the direction of her apartment, Max’s headlights steady behind her. She let out a sigh.
Much as she would never admit it, knowing he followed brought her comfort. Only a stand-up guy would bother seeing to her safety.

  Minutes later they arrived at her apartment complex. He joined her as she locked her car. “You gonna be okay?”

  “Yes, thanks.” She glanced up at him. Took a chance. “Want to come in for some iced tea?”

  “You sure?”

  “It’s the least I can do since you came to my rescue.”

  “Let me get something out of the truck first.”

  She waited. When he joined her, he thrust a large envelope into her hands. “Photos from Gram. She wants you to pick your favorites for the benefit.”

  Lilli hugged the envelope to her chest. “Thanks.”

  They stood under the moonlight for a long moment. The sweet aroma of orange blossoms scented the air. Lilli risked a glance in his direction to find Max’s intense focus directed at her. She couldn’t decipher the look in his eyes, but the heat that emanated from him sent a delicious shiver over her skin.

  “Um, we should go up.”

  They climbed the stairs in silence and entered her apartment. Max stood in her living room while she hurried about turning on lights. Strange, having this larger-than-life male standing in her very feminine apartment, blatantly checking out her digs.

  Sure, friends like Jewel spent plenty of time here, but having Max filling the space felt new and a little nerve-racking.

  “I’m not normally a damsel in distress,” she blurted. Even to her own ears she sounded needy and hated it.

  A grin tipped his lips, as if Max knew how she felt and sympathized with her.

  “What can I get you? Coffee? Iced tea?”

  “Tea is good.”

  “Have a seat, and I’ll be with you in a minute.”

  She poured two glasses then joined him on the couch.

  Max leaned forward and picked up one of the bridal pictures Lilli had left spread out on the coffee table. “Pretty dress. Ever think about wearing one?”

  “Almost did, once.”

  His brow rose. “And?”

  “He ended it at the rehearsal dinner. At the country club.”

  “Ouch.”

  “Exactly.” She pushed her glass around, unsure if she should give details or leave it at that.

  “So, a fund-raiser with a wedding theme.” He glanced over at her, his gaze dark and steady. “Think your Mom planned it on purpose?”

  “On purpose?”

  “Since your wedding never took place, maybe she’s trying to tell you something.”

  “I wouldn’t put it past her, but not for the reasons you think.”

  “You’d be surprised what I think.”

  She supposed she would. “My mother wants me to consider the possibility of marriage, especially after the breakup. I don’t think she planned this on purpose. She’s not an intentionally mean person, but she really gets immersed in her projects. She would never come right out and tell me to get back into the dating world, but I’m sure that’s what she wants.”

  “Seems extreme. Why not sit down and talk it out?”

  “In my family, that’s not so easy.” She took a sip of her tea then asked, “How about you? Do you talk things through with the people in your life?”

  “Not usually.” Max took a sip of the tea then said, “I guess Gram is right.”

  “About what?”

  “I’m not very good at opening up to people.”

  “Old habit?”

  “Guess you could say so.”

  “Hmm. We have that in common.”

  They sat in silence.

  “Maybe your mother has a point. Life goes on.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “I know.”

  “It’s just...you’ve got a lot going for you. Don’t let some jerk get you down.”

  She glanced pointedly at him.

  “Me included.”

  Lilli laughed. “I hardly think you fall into that category.”

  “Darlin’, your mother would never consider me marriage material. She’d have blown a gasket if I came around.”

  “And you know this how?”

  “No mother in her right mind would let her daughter near me. And for good reason. You name it, I probably did it. Can’t believe Gram put up with me.”

  “I think that’s what parents do—wish for the best and pray a lot.”

  “That’s Gram.”

  “So why did you give her a hard time?”

  “Young and stubborn. I guess it’s safe to say you aren’t the only one with mother issues.”

  Lilli offered him a look she hoped would encourage him to continue.

  “Like I told you, my dad died when I was young and my mom couldn’t handle me. It was Gram or the foster system.”

  “Oh, Max, I’m sorry.”

  He shrugged. “It was a long time ago. Anyway, things didn’t go well between Mom and me so she took off.”

  “Just left you behind?”

  “Dumped me at Gram’s is more like it. Yep. Gram was the only family I had, so she took me in.”

  “Wow. I thought my parents were tough.”

  “I had a major chip on my shoulder. I don’t think I really came to terms with how I felt about my mom leaving until I went into the navy. Honestly, if it hadn’t been for Gram’s tough love and the chief’s interference, I probably would have ended up a career criminal.”

  Max sifted through a few more pictures. Lilli would have loved to know what went on in his mind. He didn’t seem in a hurry to leave so she searched for any topic not wedding related. Anything to discover the secrets under his tough exterior.

  “Anyway, I straightened up.”

  “You did a good job.” She laughed. “You’re an upstanding business owner now, but you were definitely not the kind of guy my parents would have let me hang out with back then.”

  “I think we’ve already established that fact. I’m not sure others see how much I’ve changed, though. Your mother hired me for a job. I don’t think she anticipated anything more.”

  She glanced at him. He still had an air of danger about him, one that spoke of stolen kisses on moonlit nights. “Still, it would have been fun. Doing the exact opposite of what people expected.”

  “I wouldn’t go glamorizing it. I was trouble, pure and simple, and didn’t care who I hurt. Not exactly a sterling quality.”

  Lilli noted the pensive light in his eyes that might have spelled trouble a long time ago, but now he was driven to prove himself trustworthy. To right the wrongs of his past by behaving maturely. Responsibly. “You’re a good man, Max. Every person in this town will come to realize what you’ve done to turn your life around.”

  He leaned toward her. Her ears began to buzz and her heart raced. His gaze moved to her lips and she went a little lightheaded.

  “I like you, Max. Granted, we got off on the wrong foot, starting at the beach that summer night and now with Tie the Knot, but I’ve discovered you’re good at what you do. You care about your grandmother. About Bart. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”

  “What if I don’t care what other women think? Only you.”

  She swallowed hard. “Then I would tell you the more I’ve come to know you, the more you’ve grown on me. Sure, you’re controlling and single-minded about your business, but I can overlook that.”

  “Just like I can overlook you being bossy, not to mention prim and proper.”

  “Bossy?” Is that how he saw her? “Try I’m good at my job. Or, jobs, I should say.”

  “Point taken. But you’re nice, too. I was ready to read Mrs. R. the riot act and you handled her much more gently.”

  “Maybe we even each other out.”

  “Right.” Max sat bac
k. “It’s probably best we focus on the fund-raiser.”

  Great. She’d blown the intimate moment by mentioning work. “Why? Is there something else to focus on?”

  His gaze moved to her lips again. Heat shot through her. She realized his intention. Tonight they’d moved into new, uncharted territory in their relationship. Not like the night on the beach when a stolen kiss had caught her off guard. That was kid’s stuff. By the current look in his eyes, they’d graduated to grown-up awareness.

  Max’s eyes moved back to meet hers. He didn’t say a word, but he had her complete attention. She swallowed hard, waiting. For him to make the first move? For him to say how he felt? Anything.

  When that didn’t happen, she tried to downplay the anticipation between them by asking, “So, um, are you going to the fish fry on Saturday?”

  He hesitated. “Not sure.”

  Oops. Had she stepped over the line? “Listen, you don’t have to tell me anything.”

  “It’s not that.” He looked uneasy. “I kind of have previous plans.”

  Lilli’s stomach dropped. Did he have a date on Saturday? With one of the women she’d seen listed on his calendar? Heat flushed her face. Here they sat, caught in this tug of attraction, and he might have a date? She eased away from him.

  “It’s not a big deal.”

  They fell into silence again, turning into a long drawn-out moment.

  Abruptly, he rose. “I think I should call it a night.”

  She followed him to the door, torn between wanting to ask if she was the only woman in his life and wondering if she should just let it go. The small foyer left little room between them. Shadows enveloped them in the dim light. She stared up at him, her heart beating rapidly. He reached for the knob, then dropped his hand and angled toward her. With a frown wrinkling his forehead, he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.

  Her heart nearly stopped beating. She rested her palms on his chest and sank into the kiss, determined to make this moment last. The kiss went a little deeper and she fell for Max a little harder. Just as she slid her hands to his shoulders he pulled away.

  “Not a good idea,” he said, his voice low, clipped. “I gotta go before I do something stupid.”