by Len Webster
She let out a sigh as she stared at the wooden door. “I’m nervous to see everyone again. It’s been eighteen months since … and I never really … they all sent me emails, and I couldn’t … What if they hate me?”
Max let go of her hand, stepped in front of her, and cupped her face in his palms. “Josephine,” he whispered as he heard the door opening behind him.
His friends didn’t hate her.
They all loved Josie.
They were angry with Max for breaking up with her.
“My friends … our friends don’t hate you. They wanted you here. I promise, they still adore you,” Max assured.
Then he heard someone say, “He’s right.”
Max glanced over his shoulder to find Nolan Parker at the door with a smile on his face. “Hey, Noel.” He gazed back at his girlfriend to see the hesitation still clear on her face. She needed to see the girls to understand that they still considered her a friend. “Trust me, everything will be okay.”
A small smile spread across her lips as she nodded. He stepped back next to her and spun around, facing his best friend.
“Max, Josie, it’s good to see you both together,” Noel commented. “Did you both check in all right?”
“Yeah, we did last night after we landed,” Max said.
Noel nodded. “That’s great. I’m sorry you had to get a hotel in the city. Our guestrooms are all taken by the others.” He stepped forward and smiled at Josie. “Josie, it’s so good to see you. My wife hasn’t stopped talking about how excited she is that you would be coming to Massachusetts.”
“I’m really excited to see Clara, too.”
“Well, come inside. Everyone’s waiting for you two,” Noel said as he spun around and welcomed them into his home.
Josie entered first with Max right behind her. When she made it into the house, Noel said, “Keep going straight, and you’ll find everyone in the kitchen.”
“Thanks, Noel,” Josie said as she continued down the hall.
Before Noel could follow her, Max cleared his throat, gaining his best friend’s attention.
“Everything okay there, Max?” The concern thick in Noel’s voice.
Max nodded.
Noel’s brows furrowed as if he didn’t believe Max. “Are you sure? This is the happiest I’ve seen you in over a year. She’s back. How are you not the happiest man in the world right now?”
He sighed. He was happy. Happier than he really deserved. But there was one speck of guilt that remained after all these years. “I am happy, Noel. She came back to me when I didn’t deserve it. She waited so long for me. But I need to make her happy. And to do that, I have to be regret and guilt free. I have to tell Alex about Sarah. I’m finally ready to tell him.”
A large smile enveloped Noel’s lips. “I’m proud of you, Max. I think it’s about time you stopped blaming yourself.”
A little pressure eased off his shoulders. “You don’t think he’ll hit me or anything, do you? I mean, I deserve it. But I don’t want Josephine to witness that.”
Noel shook his head. “Nah. I think he’ll shake your hand. Clara’s outside with Kyle. So I think we should go out there. She’s dying to see you all.”
Max nodded in agreement. Kyle Gilmore was Noel and Clara’s next-door neighbour’s kid. His best friends had become Kyle’s babysitters, and Noel had commented on how much he loved seeing Clara with Kyle, and how excited Clara was that Kyle’s mother was pregnant with another son.
Following Noel out of the hallway and into the large kitchen, Max found his girlfriend smiling and talking to Ally Moors as if no time had come between them. Ally was Josie’s boss when she was the owner of the Little Bakery on Little Collins Street. But that was in the past. She had transferred the ownership of the bakery to the former head baker, Nadia, and was now a silent investor. Ally had a lot more on her plate now that she was the wife of an Olympic Champion.
Max couldn’t take his eyes off his best friends, their wives, and his girlfriend all talking as if eighteen months hadn’t passed them. It was the sight Max had always wanted to witness.
He had thought Sarah Collins was it.
Thought that Andrea Wallace might work.
But neither of them fit him and his life the way Josephine Faulkner did.
“I can’t believe you’re an Olympic Champion, Rob. I watched you race while I was in Hamburg for my sister’s ballet performance. You were incredible,” Josie said.
Max’s best friend laughed. “I’m honoured that you watched. When we’re back home, I’ll show you the gold medal.”
“He loves it more than he loves his own wife,” Julian, Rob’s younger brother, teased.
“And how are you two not married yet?” Josie asked in bewilderment as Max walked towards her, Noel right behind him.
“We’re married … in spirit,” Julian said with a smirk on his face.
Josie raised a brow. “Seriously?”
Max laughed as he stood next to her. “Seriously,” he confirmed. “Right, Stevie?”
Julian’s wife rolled her eyes. “It’s not legally binding. But yeah, we had a spiritual wedding. We’ll have a legitimate one when my supposed husband can pry himself away from our child.” Then Stevie pointed at Josie and then at Max. “I like this. I really like seeing this again. Welcome back, Josie.”
Josie’s cheeks peppered a lovely shade of pink. “I really like this, too. So … spiritual wedding? Child? I have missed a lot.”
Stevie shook her head. “Trust me, it’s a long story. But yeah, we have a puppy now. Julian’s father is playing grandfather while we’re in the States.”
Josie laughed. “Oh, what breed did you get?”
Max glanced over to find Noel nodding at the door.
It was time.
“We got—”
“Come on, Josephine,” Max said, interrupting Julian. “Let’s go see Clara.”
His girlfriend nodded. “Oh, right. We’ll be back in a minute.”
Julian’s jaw dropped. “But, but I was going to tell Josie about—”
“And you should all go,” Rob instructed, causing Max to laugh. It had been a joke he, Rob, Noel, and Alex were playing on Julian to ensure he didn’t speak about his brand-new puppy at all.
“And we’re going,” Max agreed as he grasped Josie’s hand and led her to the door Noel was opening. “There’s a reason we had to fly to Boston instead of New York.”
“There is?” Josie asked as she stepped out of the house and into the backyard.
“There is,” he confirmed as he looked out at the end of the garden.
Under the large tree was Clara sitting with her brother’s fiancée, and Clara’s nephew who was sitting on a blanket on the grass with his toys. Running towards him was Kyle, Noel and Clara’s neighbour, with two baseball gloves in his hands.
“Mr P, are you ready?” Kyle asked as he handed Noel a glove. “Hey, Mr Sheridan.”
“Hey, Kyle. It’s good seeing you.”
The kid smiled. “And is this …?”
Max nodded. He had met Kyle the last time he was in Brookline, visiting Noel and Clara. “It is.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Miss Faulkner.”
Josie laughed. “It’s nice to meet you, Kyle. But please call me Josie.”
Kyle nodded.
“Come on, Kyle. Let’s play catch. Josie and Max have to see Mrs P.”
Max squeezed her hand and led Josie to the end of the garden.
“They really are suburban people now, aren’t they?” Josie asked with humour in her voice.
He laughed. “They are.”
When they made it to the tree, Max peeked over to find Josie’s eyes wide.
Noel’s wife lifted her eyes off her nephew playing with his toys and smiled when she saw who stood in front of her. Clara Parker’s brown eyes shimmered at Josie.
“You made me wait an awfully long time for this, Max,” Clara said as she peeked over at him for a second.
“
I know, Clara.”
Clara smiled. “It’s so good to see you, Josie. I’ve tried calling and emailing you for months.”
Josie let out a heavy exhale as she let go of Max’s hand. “I know. That was my fault. I’m sorry, Clara. I was … There’s no excuse. I’m so sorry.”
Clara rolled her eyes. “Stop it, Josie. You don’t have to apologise. You were busy with law school and getting to know your sisters.” She stood from her chair.
“Holy … Oh my, God … you’re …” Josie was out of words and Max had let out a small laugh. She turned to Max. “You knew?”
“I knew,” he confirmed. “I wasn’t allowed to tell you. Clara wanted to.”
Josie turned back around. “You’re pregnant.”
Clara laughed as she stepped forward and hugged Max’s girlfriend. “You would have known had you picked up my calls and read my emails.”
“I can’t believe you’re pregnant. How are you about to open your own restaurant?”
Clara raised her brow as she glanced over at Max. He held his hands up. “I didn’t say anything about the restaurant. I swear.”
“I keep a close eye on you, Clara. You have articles written about you. You’re the next big thing in Boston. And the Little Bakery in Boston is flourishing. Did you find a head chef?”
His best friend’s wife grinned as she cradled her stomach. “Yeah. He’s right behind you. You should meet him.”
“Oh, it’s okay—”
“You should turn around,” Max insisted as he spun and found the very man who was once his girlfriend’s boss. A man Josie highly respected.
Josie’s brows met as she turned. “Danny?”
“Hey, Josie,” her old boss said.
She laughed. “What? You’re the head chef?”
Danny nodded. “I’m still in San Francisco until the restaurant opens. But I’ll be moving to Boston before Clara’s due date.”
From the corner of Max’s eye, he noticed Alex Lawrence walking towards Noel and Kyle playing catch. Max knew he had waited long enough. Alex had deserved to know the truth years ago.
It was time the truth was finally revealed.
“Hey,” he heard Josie whisper. Max shifted his focus to find his girlfriend’s concerned blue eyes on him. She had abandoned her conversation with her old friends to stand in front of him. “Is everything okay, Max?”
He nodded. “Everything will be. I have to talk to Alex. I won’t be too long.”
Her eyes softened, understanding reflected in them. “I’ll be right here. Everything will be okay. You and Alex will be okay.”
Max pressed a palm to her cheek, steadied her face, and kissed her soft and sweet. “I know.” He smiled at Danny and Clara then shifted and made his way to Alex.
Nerves succumbed him.
A cold sweat broke.
But Max couldn’t hide anymore.
Each step he took was towards redemption.
Alex might not forgive him, but Max needed this.
Needed a chance at forgiveness.
When he reached Alex, Noel had just caught the baseball Kyle had thrown his way. Max cleared his throat, feeling slightly awkward. Pushing past his discomfort, Max straightened his spine as Alex faced him.
“Hey, Max,” Alex said with a cheery voice. He could see Alex’s relief to see him.
It would be okay. He had to remind himself of that. “Alex, could we talk for a moment?”
Alex’s brown eyes widened. He stared at Max then nodded. Alex led him away from everyone and to the side of the garden.
“Is everything okay, Max? You seem tense.”
Max took in Alex.
For years, he had been so jealous of him.
But that jealousy had been misplaced.
Because like Alex, Max had everything.
It was about finding the right woman.
Max inhaled a deep breath. Reminded himself that at the end of this conversation, he would be a good man. A better man. A man worthy of Josephine Faulkner. “Alex, we need to talk.”
“About?”
He exhaled, and his shoulders sagged. “It’s about Sarah.”
Surprise filled Alex’s face. “Max, there’s nothing—”
“No,” he said, cutting off his best friend. “No, I need to say this. I should have said this years ago, Alex.”
“All right,” Alex said.
Max took a deep breath and met his best friend’s curious gaze. “Alex, it was me.”
“You?”
He nodded. “I was the one Sarah cheated on you with. At first, she said you were both over, but it was a lie. And I tried, I tried so hard to break it off. But she used it against me. I thought I loved her. I thought she loved me, but it wasn’t love. It was never real or right. She hurt me, and I hurt you. I’m so sorry, Alex. I shouldn’t have kept it from you, and I shouldn’t have betrayed you.”
Alex didn’t say a word.
His nostrils flared.
Emotions Max had never seen on his best friend.
The best friend who had stood by him for everything.
It was at that moment he realised that Alex’s silence was a possible indication he was about to lose him as his best friend.
It was deserved, of course.
But it didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt.
Max glanced down to find Alex’s hands balled into tight fists.
For a moment, he found it right.
He’d take a punch.
Then Max looked back at Alex and said, “You deserve the truth, and I am so sorry that I have looked you in the eye for years and kept it from you. You’re my best friend, and you always will be no matter what happens. You don’t have to ever forgive me or talk to me again. If you want me to leave, I’ll do it. If you want to hit me, do it. I deserve it. All I ask is that you don’t do it here. Not in front of your fiancée, son, your sister, and Josephine. Not in front of everyone. I have never been a—”
“Stop talking,” Alex ordered.
Max instantly shut up.
Alex stepped closer to him. His expression taut. Rage consumed his face. “How dare you?”
He flinched.
All his friends had said that Alex would understand.
It was evident that Max’s betrayal had hit him hard.
“I-I’m—”
“I told you to stop talking,” Alex barked as he raised his fist.
Max flinched, anticipating the imminent hit to his face.
You deserve this.
You have to take it.
Then, to his surprise, Alex unclenched his fist and set a palm to Max’s shoulder.
“How dare you … apologise to me, Max. I’ve known about what happened with you and Sarah for years.” The rage left Alex’s face as a grin spread across his lips. “I chose you, Maxwell. She gave me a choice, and I chose you.”
He chose me.
Alex Lawrence, the best guy he knew, had chosen him.
Emotions hit him in the chest.
Emotions that had his eyes stinging and blurring.
“Why did you choose me?”
Alex’s face softened as he glanced over at Josephine. “The same reason she chose you. I see a lot of good in you. You’re one of the best guys I know. You’re loyal, and you love hard. I get it. And I’m sorry, too. I should have released you from your guilt years ago. I shouldn’t have let you suffer. But Sarah meant nothing to me. It was high school. I’m where I’m meant to be. I’m with who I should be. Keira is my entire life. She gave me my son, and nothing comes close to the love I have for my family. I want that for you, Max. I’ve always wanted the best for you. Just like I’ve wanted the best for the others. You’re my brother. You always came first to me. Not Sarah. And I appreciate you apologising, but there’s nothing to apologise for. You didn’t betray me. I know you; you want forgiveness. And you had that the moment you let go of Sarah and fell in love with Josie. So this is me forgiving you because I choose you to be happy. I want you to be happy, Max.”
His best friend’s grin stretched further. “Well, do me a favour and go see to your girlfriend? She looks like she needs some reassuring.”
Max nodded. “Yeah, I’ll tell her that she was right.”
As he turned to walk back to his girlfriend, he had never felt so free. His life now had peace. He was content, guilt free … he was happy.
Undeniably happy.
He had the life he never thought he could ever have.
Walking towards his girlfriend, she began to make her way towards him.
She met him halfway, concern bright in her blue eyes.
He loved this woman.
Adored her like no other.
This woman had put him first.
This woman had thought of him before her.
This woman waited for him.
And this woman …
This woman was the love of his life.
Before a single word could escape her beautiful lips, he cupped her soft cheeks, looked her in the eye, and whispered, “For the rest of my life, I will make you happy. I choose you, Josephine Faulkner. I choose you every single day of my life, my La Vie En Rose, the love of my life. Thank you for that moment on the bridge. Thank you for making me the man I am. For changing me, bettering me to face my demons, and for encouraging me and supporting me in finally telling Alex the truth.”
Josie smiled. It was so soft and beautiful. “Maxwell …”
“Yes?” he asked as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“All of that was all you. You wanted to be better and change. That was you. Not me.”
He shook his head. “No, you gave me the strength and realisation I needed. You are and have been the better thing in my life. I love you, Josephine.”
“I have it all. The sun, the stars, and all the moons … I have La Vie En Rose with you.” She tilted her head. “I am never going to say goodbye to you. I’ll keep your heart entwined with mine.”
And her heart was his favourite part of her.
The very heart he’d never say goodbye to again.
“Now kiss me,” she whispered.
And she didn’t have to ask him twice.
Because Max had learnt an important lesson loving Josephine.
It was that he had to be selfish with her love.