by Len Webster
“Me, too. But I can’t call in sick. I don’t want to stress Ally out just so I can spend today in bed with you. It’s her engagement party tonight,” she reminded.
“Her make-up engagement party to please her father,” he corrected. “Trust me, Rob and Ally don’t want any of this.”
Josie gripped his wrist and pulled it away from her dressing gown sash. “Can you do me a favour?”
“Anything.”
“My laptop is in the dining room. My emails should still be up. I have my email to Johanna drafted. My password is EdithPiaf. It’s one word. Do you mind reading it while I shower just to see if I sound reasonable and not a horrible person?”
He kissed her cheek and then nodded. “Yeah, I’ll read it now.” Then he threaded his belt through the loops of his pants and watched Josie go to her bathroom. When the door closed behind her, Max buckled his belt in place and made his way out of her bedroom. Max combed his damp hair back and walked towards the dining room.
He pulled out the seat and sat down on it. He pressed the space bar, and the laptop came to light. Max typed in Josie’s password, EdithPiaf. He knew she was the French singer who first sang La Vie En Rose. He had discovered it when he had asked Dominic Gomez of the Australian Ballet to play it last night for Josie. Even Max had to admit he was moved by just how beautiful Dominic and his wife danced together on stage.
When her MacBook accepted the password, her Safari browser was already on the screen. He noticed all her open tabs. They were all civil court cases that had to do with contracts. He was impressed to see some of the names of the cases. She was going beyond the recommended readings and finding her own cases for her assignment and references. Max clicked on the tab for her email and began to read the draft on the screen.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Re: Hello, Josie.
Dear Johanna,
Thank you so much for reaching out to me. I must say I was actually shocked to find it was from you. In the fourteen years since you met my father, you have not once reached out to me. In fact, I had to hear about your engagement by reading the paper.
I’m pretty sure the title was: Australian Ambassador to Germany set to marry German political leader’s daughter.
And the first sentence was: True love has hit the diplomatic world with the Australian Ambassador set to marry into German political royalty—in a move that is set to benefit the Australian/German relationship.
If I sound bitter, I am.
But I think I’m allowed to be bitter for a minute.
Anyways, I’m over it.
Why?
Because a very wise man in my life told me that I knew what the right thing was and that I would do it.
I understand why you haven’t told my father of your desire to get in touch with me; I’m not on speaking terms with him. I need some space from him. He’s disappointed me for far too long, and I have a lot in my life he will never understand. Just like I won’t understand parts of his life.
The truth is he isn’t my father anymore.
He’s Heidi and Angelika’s.
They’ve had thirteen and eleven years with him, respectively.
I had eight.
I’m going to be twenty-three.
He’s missed a whole lifetime.
Sometimes people do things out of spite, and that leaves them bitter.
I am that person.
I did things to hurt him. I went out of my way to do those things, and that, therefore, hurt my mother. I dated men he would never approve of. I was scared to date men who treated me well because I was afraid that meant my dad would win. That he would approve and that my rebellion would be over.
But life has a funny way of putting you in your place.
And well, I was already re-evaluating my choices before I connected with this particular man in my life, but he made me be a better person. I never want to disappoint him. So to honour him and do right by him, I am going to do the right thing.
I would like to get to know Heidi and Angelika.
And you, too, Johanna.
I have not been particularly fair to you.
You’re my half-sisters’ mother.
My stepmother.
When I was younger, I said awful things, but I just wasn’t mature enough to understand that you love my father. You wouldn’t have spent fourteen years with him if you didn’t.
Someday, when I can be guaranteed that my father won’t disappoint me, I will consider coming to Germany to meet you, Heidi, and Angelika.
For a long time, I hated that they did ballet when I had to give it up. He saw their recitals, and I had an empty seat stare at me when I was on stage.
I don’t think you or him will ever understand that feeling of abandonment.
They had a father all their lives.
I had mine abandon me when I was eight.
It was just me and my mother.
All I wanted was to get to know you all when I was a kid, but I never got the chance. You never asked me to be a part of their lives, and that hurt. I know it takes a lot of courage to apologise first, and I do appreciate your email.
And I’m sorry I wasn’t welcoming of you.
I was just a little girl who got her heart broken by the first man she ever loved over and over again.
My dad was my hero until he became my villain.
Countless moments in my life he never saw.
There will be many more he will never see because I deserve to have a happy life, too. And keeping him away from my life as an adult protects me from getting my hopes up again.
I know all about disappointment, Johanna.
And I don’t want your daughters to ever experience that because of me. So I promise you that I want to get to know them. Give them my email address and have them send me emails when they’re ready.
Best wishes,
Josie.
“So …?” Josie’s voice had him turning in his seat to find her towel drying her long brunette hair. “Does it sound like I really want to get to know my stepmother and half-sisters?”
Max got out of the chair and set his hands on her shoulders. Parts of her damp, white top met his fingers. “You should send it. It’s perfect.”
She tilted her head at him and smiled. “You think?”
“It is.” He slid his hands up her neck and cupped her jaw. Then he held her face steady as he pressed a kiss on her forehead.
“That man in my life …”
He pulled back and gazed down at her. “Yeah?”
He already knew, but he wanted her to confirm it.
Me.
“The one I wrote about …”
“Yes, Josephine.”
“That man is you,” she revealed.
Max smiled. “I already knew.”
“Good because I was already in love with you when I wrote that email yesterday. I’ve been in love with you for some time, Max.”
“Far longer than last night at the ballet?”
“Far longer,” she confirmed. The towel she held fell to the ground as she wrapped her arms around his waist and held him close.
He let out a small groan. “Really need to get you to work, Josephine. Before you say you love me and I haul that body of yours back to your bedroom.”
She giggled and got on her tippy toes. Her lips were almost touching his when she whispered, “I love you.” Then she pressed her lips against his in a chaste kiss. “I love you.” And then another kiss. “I love you.”
Before he could even kiss her back, she pulled away and picked up the towel off the floor, stating she needed to brush her hair and finish getting ready for work.
She was that kind of love tease.
And he was more than happy to be wrapped up by it.
Max held the box tightly as he made his way through the ballroom doors of the Oslo. It was the newest five-star hotel in Melbourne that had recently opened on the Docklands, and tonight, it w
ould be the venue for Rob and Ally’s engagement party. The same engagement party they both didn’t want. Max knew this because Rob had messaged him many times to make sure he was coming tonight. He also knew they were only having a party to please Ally’s father, David O’Connor.
What most people didn’t know was the pair had actually eloped three months ago while in New York. The gift he’d chosen was courtesy of the gift registry on their website. Ally had thought it was unnecessary, but her mother had taken control of the engagement.
When Max glanced at the gift registry, he laughed at the idea of his best friend, the Men’s Single Scull World Champion, having a pashmina throw rug. He knew it was Mrs O’Connor who had chosen the registry gifts. So Max played along and actually bought what he thought they might need. Bowls were useful. He especially hoped a two-thousand-dollar crystal bowl would bring them joy throughout their ‘engagement.’
“Ah, good evening, sir,” a woman dressed in a white top and black pants said as she approached him. “Would you like me to take that off you and set it with all the other gifts?”
Max handed it over, happy to be free of the heavy present. “Thanks,” he said as the woman walked away.
He scanned the ballroom to find a band playing and several people already dancing. He couldn’t see the couple of the hour. Pulling out his phone from his pants pocket, he smiled the moment he saw Josie’s message on the screen. He unlocked his phone and read it.
Josie: I am so sorry. I know we said we’d meet out the front, but I’m running really late. I’m currently changing at my place. I’ll see you soon.
Max: It’s okay, Josephine. I just got here. I’ll be inside. Definitely missed you. I redrafted the same contract about three times just counting down to see you tonight. Kissing you goodbye outside the bakery was not enough.
Josie: I promise I’m rushing my makeup and quickly putting on my dress just so I can get to you quicker.
Max: Seriously, Josephine. Hurry.
Josie: Go mingle!
Max: Fine. You’d better find me the minute you get here.
Josie: You can bet on it.
Josie: OH!
Josie: To get you through until I see you …
Josie: I love you. I love you. I love you.
Max: Don’t even worry about makeup. You’re beautiful without it. Just get here because those I love yous are
torture to read. Need to hear them.
Josie: Go mingle, Maxwell. I’m doing my hair now. I’ll see you soon.
“Max!” He heard someone yell his name out. He glanced up from his screen to see Julian wave his arms for his attention. “Max! Max, I’m here!”
Knowing he’d probably slow Josie down even more if he texted back, he returned his phone to his pocket and made his way towards one of his best friends. When he had almost reached him, Julian ran up and wrapped his arms around Max, causing him to chuckle.
“Uhh … Hey, Julian.”
“Where have you been?” Julian tightened his arms around him. “Max, I’ve missed you.” Then he pulled back, and his light blue eyes scanned his face. “You have no scars or bruises, and you’ve not gone thin, so you’ve been taking care of yourself. So where have you been?”
Max glanced over to see Julian’s fiancée playfully shake her head at Max. “He’s just upset he hasn’t seen you at PJ’s lately.”
“So?” Julian asked, seeking Max’s explanation.
“I’ve just been busy with clients and the court case. It’s the final week of court, so my dad’s needed me more often,” Max explained, leaving out the part where he had been spending any possible free minute with Josie.
Julian nodded and removed his arms from around Max. “Okay. Good. I just thought you found a new best friend.”
“I have a few best friends,” Max stated.
“One best friend who you’ve been ignoring for weeks.”
Max winced, knowing that voice anywhere. He spun around to find Noel Parker standing before him with a grin on his face. Max hadn’t seen him since he left for his honeymoon almost ten months ago. He chuckled and then hugged Noel. Max was glad to see him. There was still a lot Max was sorry for when it came to Noel. Not only had Max made a move on his then-girlfriend, Andrea, but Sarah had been the reason Clara had ended things when he and his wife were first seeing each other. They had kept their love a secret, afraid that Alex, Clara’s brother and Noel’s best friend, would not approve and tear them apart. But Sarah Collins had fed Clara lies, and then it was over. Clara was about to marry Ally’s brother, Liam, until Sarah told Max the truth and he forced her to come clean.
“What are you doing back here?” Max asked when their embrace ended.
“Couldn’t make it to Worlds to see Rob compete, so I had to be here for his engagement party.”
“Is Clara here?”
He nodded, love for his wife still bright in his green eyes. “She’s with Ally and her family catching up. They still love her.”
“Liam here, too?”
“Nah. He apparently hasn’t been back since he left for Singapore. No one has really heard from him.” Noel shrugged. “Clara was nervous to see him, so him not being here means she doesn’t have to be careful about flaunting our marriage in his face.”
“Julian, come get a drink with me?” he heard Stevie ask behind.
“‘Kay,” Julian said, and then he stepped next to Max. “We’re all catching up the minute I get Cranky Pants a drink.”
“Cranky—what?”
“You heard me, Blondie. You’re just mad that your mum and I had a great time FaceTiming today,” Julian teased. He shot Noel a wink and then spun around and left.
“Julian, we seriously have to discuss you talking to my mother. It’s not normal,” Stevie yelled as Julian quickened his steps to get away from her.
Noel laughed. “To think, when I last left Melbourne they had no idea what they were. Now they’re engaged.”
“Yeah,” Max agreed.
“Max!” Clara said out of nowhere. He shifted to the right to see Noel’s wife with a large smile on her face, those big brown eyes of hers sparkled. She threaded her fingers through her husband’s, and Noel kissed her cheek. “I’ve been looking for you all night.”
“I just got here. When did you guys land?”
“A few days ago.”
“A few days ago?”
Noel nodded. “Tried calling you but no luck.”
“Sorry. Work’s been hectic. I haven’t been able to see anyone. Have you guys? Did Alex come out with you both?”
Clara shook her head. “My brother doesn’t want to leave my nephew’s side. He said they’ll be here for the wedding. And we’ve been getting over jet lag, so we’re just seeing everyone now.”
“You guys staying at your old place?” Max felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, but he ignored it.
“Yeah. It’s nice being back in Clara’s old room at Stevie and Julian’s. It’s more their place than ours,” Noel said.
Just as Max was about to ask how it felt being back in town, Rob, Ally, Stevie, and Julian had joined them. For the next ten minutes, they all caught up. It was like old times, but for Max, it was a little different. He didn’t feel guilt holding him back from connecting with his friends. Self-pity didn’t cripple his ability to join in on the conversation. He finally felt right with them.
When he felt his phone vibrate once again, he pulled it out to see that Josie had messaged him. He noticed Ally staring at him with a small smile on her face.
“Excuse me, I’ve gotta take this,” he announced to his friends.
“Wait, Max. We have to discuss G&MC tonight,” Noel said.
Max nodded, knowing it was a conversation he couldn’t avoid now that Noel was back in Australia. Max stepped away from the group and opened her messages.
Josie: I’m leaving my place now. See you soon.
Josie: I’m here. Just got to the doors. Where are you?
Max scanned the room, but he couldn�
��t see her with all the people on the dance floor. He pushed past until he made it through the sea of people. Then he noticed her, staring at the phone. He waited a moment and took her in, oblivious to the fact he had found her. She wore a light blue off-the-shoulder dress that hit past her knees. The sleeves connected to the bust to make a crisscross pattern on her dress. Josie’s hair was up in a bun with a few strands by her face.
Raising his phone, he snapped a picture of her and sent it to her. Josie’s brows furrowed, and then she glanced up.
The slow, radiant smile on her face was absolutely beautiful.
He quickly closed the space between them, and she managed to say his name before his hand gripped her shoulder and he yanked her into his kiss.
Josie giggled against his lips, and her hand settled on his hip as if to stabilise herself. She had kissed him with as much longing as he had before she pulled back. Josie reached up and wiped the lipstick he presumed had spread across his lips from her kiss.
“Don’t worry,” she assured. “There’s none on your lips. Long lasting and kiss proof.”
Max wrapped his fingers around her wrist to stop her thumb’s soft strokes. “I’ve missed you.”
“You saw me this morning,” she reminded.
“I made love to you this morning.”
“I was there.”
He bent down and pressed his lips against hers in a chaste kiss. “I love you,” he whispered. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
“Holy shit!” he heard Julian shriek behind him.
“How the hell did we miss this?” Stevie asked.
Josie bit her lip, and he mentally cursed his best friend. Max straightened his posture and moved his fingers from around her wrist to thread through her fingers, connecting their hands. Max then turned around to see the shocked expressions on Stevie and Julian’s faces.
Max squeezed Josie’s hand to reassure it was okay that they knew.