“Calm down, Sammy.” I shook my head. “You’re making too much out of it.”
Still, it was hard for me not to notice that Max edged closer to her. Stephanie was not skinny, but she was not big either. She had a voluptuous figure that I felt many men enjoyed.
As I watched, Max and Stephanie turned to walk back toward me. I noticed that Max had two cups in his hands. My heart warmed. Here I was judging him for being friendly to my friend and not asking me if I wanted a drink, when he had taken it upon himself to get me something without asking.
“It’s getting a little warm. I thought you might want some lemonade.” Max smiled proudly as he offered me the drink.
“Thanks so much.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek. I still wondered what they’d been whispering about, but I told myself to let it go.
When Stephanie and Max walked ahead of me I pulled out my notebook. I added another sign to the list.
He knows what you like to eat and drink.
I didn’t have to tell Max that I enjoyed a lemonade on a hot day. He knew me well enough to know what I liked.
I caught up with them at the butterfly garden. The three of us walked through the fluttering works of art together. There was something magical about the way that butterflies floated through the air. I slid my hand into Max’s. He squeezed my hand and pulled me close to him.
“Alright, I guess this wasn’t the worst idea.” He winked at me.
I enjoyed the fact that he was willing to try something new.
We decided to have lunch at the small cafe in the garden. There was plenty of outside seating.
“I’ll go grab the food, you two find a good table,” I said.
“Okay.” Stephanie smiled brightly. “That will give me a chance to grill Max.”
“Grill him?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, you know, just the normal stuff.” Stephanie’s eyes glowed with mischief.
I nodded, but I still wasn’t sure what she meant. It wasn’t as if she had to get to know Max. I was sure she already knew him pretty well. I tried to push that thought out of my mind.
I headed into the cafe to get our food. There was a window that overlooked the outside dining area. Once I ordered the food, I couldn’t resist looking out the window. I saw Max pulling out a chair for Stephanie to sit in. Stephanie sat down and reached up to touch his hand in gratitude. It was an innocent gesture, I knew it was, but it made my jaw clench.
My mind flashed back to the time that Stephanie and Max were dating. Now Stephanie was single. Was it so farfetched of me to think that she might want to rekindle what they once had?
“Miss?”
I frowned as I watched Max sit down across from her. Stephanie leaned forward; so did Max. They were whispering again.
“Miss? Your food is getting cold.”
“Just a minute,” I snapped. I didn’t normally speak to anyone like that, but I was too busy spying to get the food.
“There are other people waiting in line.”
I stared as Max leaned even further across the table and whispered directly in Stephanie’s ear. I was so stunned by the way it looked—his lips nearing her face—that I jerked and turned away. I turned so suddenly that I slammed right into a person who had tried to slip in front of me.
“Watch it!” He scowled at me. “It’s not right for you to make other people wait while you stalk that lovely couple.”
“Excuse me?” I picked up my tray of food.
“I saw you looking at that couple out there. They’re obviously in love. You shouldn’t let your jealousy show so much.” He shook his head and turned around to order.
His words hit me hard in the gut. I looked back out the window at Max and Stephanie. They really did look good together. I was sure that they looked better together than Max and I did. I didn’t think anyone was ever going to think that Max and I were together while Stephanie was there.
I carried the tray out to the table just as the two of them were sitting back in their chairs. Max glanced up at me, slightly paler than usual, with a faint grimace. I set the tray down in the middle of the table. As they began to take their food Max looked over at me.
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
“I’m not feeling up to it right now.”
“Are you sick?” He frowned. “Should we head out?”
“No, I’m fine. Maybe just a little too much sun.”
“Here, you should wear my hat.” Stephanie smiled and plunked her big floppy hat on my head.
I felt terrible for thinking that she was being inappropriate. She was nothing but kind and generous to me. At this difficult time in her life, I knew I needed to support her, not judge her.
“Thanks.”
“Thank you both for inviting me. This is the first fun day I’ve had in a while. I really appreciate you two letting me tag along.”
“You’re always welcome, Stephanie.” Max offered the easy smile that had made me fall in love with him from day one.
I smiled too, but in the back of my mind I wondered what had changed. Max had been uncomfortable about Stephanie’s spending time with us at first.
Chapter 8
After our visit to the botanical gardens, I felt strange. Part of me was elated that Stephanie was in my life again, but part of me also felt as if I was missing something between her and Max. I did my best to put it out of my mind.
The next morning I had a few hours scheduled for writing.
The upcoming section of my book was about a character that was dear to my heart. She was awkward and uncertain, just like I’d once been. I wanted to put a bit of myself into her, and see where it led. However, it was difficult for me to process my emotions and keep them separate from the character’s emotions. I was so very happy, but my mind kept returning to Stephanie.
Hadn’t she been convinced that she was in love? How did she go from that euphoric state to a state of utter heartbreak? I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Where was the calm space that I was looking for? I wanted more than anything to be able to heal that pain for Stephanie, but at the same time I couldn’t fully understand it.
I hoped that I never would know that kind of heartbreak.
After losing myself in the book for a while, I heard a knock on the door. I wasn’t even dressed yet, even though hours had slipped by without my noticing.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me, Max.”
I thought about rushing off to get pretty for him, but then I changed my mind. I was comfortable enough with Max not to worry about that.
I opened the door.
“What a nice surprise!”
“I’m glad you think so.” He laughed. “I thought I should call first, but I left my phone at home.”
“Oops.” I grinned and kissed him. “I love it when you just drop by. As long as you don’t mind my pajamas.”
“Mind?” He kissed me again. “I adore your pajamas. However, if I want to take you out to lunch, you might want to change, because I’d be pretty jealous if someone else saw you in your pajamas.”
“Oh, would you now?” I wiggled my eyebrows. “A surprise lunch too?”
“I figured you’d tucked yourself inside your book and had likely forgotten to eat. Am I wrong?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’ll just go get changed. You’re welcome to use the computer if you want to check your e-mail or anything.”
“Thanks.”
I ducked into my bedroom and changed as fast as I could. Max was right. I was very hungry. It amazed me how well he knew me. I reminded myself to add that to the list of good signs.
As I headed back out into the living room I saw Max hunched over my computer.
“What’s this, Sammy?”
His question made my stomach lurch. In my mind I ran through all of the things he could potentially see on my computer.
“What’s what?” I stepped up behind him.
On the screen was a photograph that must have been sen
t through while I was changing. It was from the photographer I’d hired to take pictures of the proposal that hadn’t happened. The expression on my face as I looked at the necklace was horrible. It was a mixture of disappointment and anger.
“Oh—uh, nothing.” I tried to reach past him to close the file.
“Wait a minute. Is this from that woman who took our picture at the restaurant the other night? I thought you said you didn’t know her.”
“I didn’t say that exactly.” Again I tried to close the picture.
Max pushed my hand firmly away from the keyboard.
“Wait just a second. Obviously you knew about it, how else would she be able to send this to you? I thought we agreed that honesty is important in our relationship.”
“Of course it’s important.” My heart began pounding. It wasn’t often that Max’s voice had that slight quiver in it. From the relaxed muscles in his face I could tell that he wasn’t angry, but he wasn’t pleased either. “Why would you think it wasn’t?”
Max frowned as he looked back at the picture. “If you didn’t like the necklace, you should have just told me.”
I reached up to touch the necklace that still hung against my collarbone. “Max, I love the necklace.”
“Not from this picture, it seems. Why was someone taking pictures of us?”
I opened my mouth to speak. I knew that if I told him the truth he’d understand. But I was too embarrassed to admit that I’d expected a proposal, not a necklace.
“See, you can’t even tell me.” He shook his head. “I don’t understand why you can’t just be straight with me about this.”
I started to feel very defensive. The way he was speaking to me made me feel as if I was a child.
“Well, I’m not the only one keeping secrets, am I?”
“What?” Max’s eyes widened. He stood up from the computer chair. “What is that supposed to mean? You think I’m keeping secrets from you?”
I’d already said it. There was no taking it back now. I realized that I had fanned the flames of a silly little spat and made it into a full-on fight. But now Max wouldn’t rest until I told him what I meant.
“I’m talking about Stephanie.”
“Stephanie?” Max shook his head, then stared at me. “What does she have to do with this?”
“At the garden, you two were getting pretty cozy and even whispering to each other.” Even as I spoke each word I could hear how ridiculous it sounded.
Max’s expression shifted from gritted teeth and narrowed eyes to a grimace. He looked away from me for a minute and then wiped his hand across his face.
“I can’t believe that you would even say that to me, Sammy. Do you really believe I would do anything to hurt you, to make you doubt my love for you?” He looked back at me, and the hurt in his eyes made my heart ache. Knowing I had put it there made it even worse.
“I’m sorry, Max. I know you wouldn’t do anything like that.”
“Obviously you don’t, if you would question me about it. You know what? Forget about lunch today. I think we both need to cool off a little while.”
“Max, wait—”
“It’s okay. I just think maybe we’re not in the best of moods. Let’s just call it a day.” He turned and walked past me toward the door.
I thought of a million things I should have said, but I couldn’t get my voice to work. All I could see was his back as he opened the door and walked out.
When the door closed behind him, it felt as if it struck me right across the face. Had I really just picked a fight with Max?
Chapter 9
As soon as I was alone the impact of what happened knocked me right down onto the couch. It seemed to me that someone else had taken control of my mouth. The more I thought about it, the more I had no doubt that the connection between Max and Stephanie had been my imagination. I had been the one to invite them to spend the day together. I had been the one to expect a proposal and hire a photographer. It was my own guilt that had made me pounce on Max. I felt horrible.
I grabbed my phone and pulled up his number, only to remember that he told me he had forgotten his phone at home. When the voicemail came on I couldn’t stop myself.
“Max, I’m so sorry. I never should have accused you of anything. I don’t know what I was thinking. I can explain the photograph. Please just give me a chance.”
I hung up the phone and began pacing back and forth through the living room. After I’d finally gotten everything I’d ever hoped for, in just a few minutes I might have lost all of it—all because I was jealous for no reason.
My phone began ringing. I answered it quickly—maybe Max had made it home and heard my voicemail.
“Hello? Max?”
“Sorry, no, It’s Stephanie.”
As soon as I heard her voice, I began to crumble. Not only had I suspected Max, but I’d suspected Stephanie as well.
“Oh, Stephanie, I did something really stupid.”
“What happened? Are you okay?”
“I’m not. I’m not at all. I think Max and I just broke up.”
“Wait a minute. What happened exactly?”
“Oh, I’ve made a big mess.” I tried to catch my breath.
“Okay. That’s it. I’m coming over and I’m bringing wine.”
I couldn’t even argue with her. I needed someone to talk to, and even though I knew she would be upset if I told her what Max and I had argued about, I still needed her.
Within a half hour Stephanie knocked on the door. I opened it to find her holding a bottle of wine and a basket of muffins.
“I wasn’t sure what to bring.” She frowned.
“This is perfect. Please come in.” I stepped away from the door. “I can’t believe that you’re even here. After what you went through without me.”
“Samantha, you have to stop thinking about that. I know that if I’d picked up the phone and called you, you would have been there for me in a second. I didn’t call, because there was nothing to be done. This is different.”
“Is it?” I wiped at my eyes. “Do you think that something can be done?”
“Was it really that bad?”
“I don’t know. I can’t think straight long enough to figure it out.”
“Okay, so walk me through this, because I find it hard to believe that you and Max broke up. Yesterday things seemed great.”
“Well, we had a fight.”
“A fight?” Stephanie smiled. “That’s not breaking up, sweetie. Is this your first one?”
“I guess.” I frowned. “I did something terrible. I accused him of being untrustworthy.” I poured us each a glass of wine.
Stephanie took her glass and shook her head. “Oh my god, you can’t be serious.”
“I know! Max is the most trustworthy—”
“He has literally dated half of the available women in the city.”
“Wait, what?” My breath caught in my throat.
“Listen, I’m just saying that you have every reason to doubt him. He’s a ladies’ man and that’s a hard reputation to shake.”
“But I don’t.” I groaned and flopped down on the couch.
Stephanie sat down beside me.
I looked over at her, my eyes filling with tears. “I don’t doubt him at all. I trust Max. That isn’t the problem.”
“Then I don’t understand.” Stephanie frowned. “You said that you fought with him because you suspected him of something.”
“Yes, but I only suspected him of it because of me.”
Stephanie took a big swallow of her wine. “I think that you’re going to have to explain this to me.”
“Okay.” I took a deep breath. “I need to talk it out anyway. The truth is, when Max took me to dinner the other night, I thought he was going to propose.”
“Oh.” Stephanie nodded. “That makes sense.”
“I thought it did. We were back at the same restaurant where we shared our first kiss as a couple. It was our one-year anniversary.
I had every reason to think it, right? I mean, I’m not crazy?”
“Not crazy at all. That sounds like the perfect setup for a proposal. Maybe he got too nervous to ask?”
“Not at all! He had a little black box for me, but inside was this!” I held out the heart charm. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Yes, it’s gorgeous.”
“Right? But it’s not an engagement ring. I thought it was going to be an engagement ring. So even though it’s a gorgeous necklace—and thoughtful and everything—I was a little disappointed.”
“Honey, of course you were.”
“But then I started to think about why it wasn’t an engagement ring. It’s not as if Max and I need to get to know each other. So what was he waiting for? Then of course I began to ask myself, why would Max even want to be with me? I started going a little crazy. I even thought he was trying to—” I winced and looked over at her. “Get back together with you.”
“Oh, Samantha!” Stephanie set her glass down hard on the coffee table. “That’s not happening!”
“I know that now, but I just got crazy about it. Then Max walked out the door.”
“What did he say exactly?”
“He said that we both needed to calm down and that we should call it a day.”
“That doesn’t sound like a break-up to me.” Stephanie shook her head. “Did I ever tell you I once tried to pick a fight with Max?”
“What?” I looked at her nervously. I didn’t really want to hear about the time that they were together.
“Well, here’s the thing. I’m a very physical person. From the way Max acted, I thought he would be too.”
“Physical?”
“Sexual.”
“Oh, no, no, nope—don’t want to hear about that.” I plucked my wine glass from the table and refilled it as I stood up.
The Girlfriend (Single Wide Female in Love, Book 2) Page 3