The ridiculous thing is that since my engagement went balls up, I haven’t had one dirty thought about any man, and I routinely work with great looking men. But maybe because I never could separate matters of the heart from matters of my lady parts, I consciously decided not to lust after men. It worked great until Max walked into that training room and every fiber of my body was acutely aware of him.
As I gun the engine, a realization dawns on me. If I can’t even entertain the idea of going out with a man for drinks without Max’s image popping into my head, I’m in bigger trouble than I thought. And I have a hunch I’ll be in even more trouble after Saturday.
Chapter Nine
Max
“Why the hell did you bring food for ten people?” I ask Alice. My sister stands in the doorway of my apartment, carrying one enormous food bag in each hand. It’s Friday night and we’re watching a soccer game on TV. Christopher will join us too.
“Hello to you too, ungrateful bastard.” She kisses my cheek, walking past me into my apartment. “I brought you pecan pie, but I’m reconsidering if I should give it to you. Maybe I’ll eat it myself to punish you.”
“I’m deeply sorry,” I instantly say, giving her a mocking bow. That’s my favorite kind of pie, and I’d do anything for a slice, including being on my very best behavior. I relieve Alice of the food bags and we both head to the kitchen.
“I signed the papers for the new restaurant today, by the way,” she informs me.
“Congratulations. Did Sleazeball give you a hard time?”
“No, he actually looked like he was scared out of his wits. Kept asking me if my brother will join us. He wasn’t even making eye contact most of the time. Do you happen to have anything to do with it?”
“Not at all,” I say with a straight face. “Why didn’t you say something about signing the papers? I would’ve bought champagne to celebrate. I only have beer.”
“I like beer.”
“Yeah, but it’s not for celebrations. Let’s go out somewhere. You deserve a treat. I’m inviting you.”
She tilts her head, pursing her lips. “I spend my days in a restaurant. I like celebrating at home. I’m going to watch soccer, and I have two brothers to annoy. That sounds like the perfect way to celebrate to me.”
“Okay.” I chuckle as I steal a bite from the pie she brought. “Wait a minute, your restaurant doesn’t have pecan pie.”
“No, I asked the cook to make it especially for you,” Alice explains as we arrange everything on plates. “And I brought some extra so you can eat leftovers tomorrow. Can’t let my little brother starve.” She opens the door to my refrigerator, pointing to the emptiness inside and smirking.
We carry the plates to the living room, placing them on the coffee table in front of the enormous couch. I live in a condo in downtown San Francisco, on the tenth floor. My favorite part is by far the large balcony, on which I hung a hammock. The biggest downside is that being downtown, there’s permanent traffic noise I can hear even from up here. I could have chosen to live in a quieter neighborhood, but from here, I only need ten minutes to get to the office. In London, I lived in a quiet, residential area, but I wasted a big chunk of each day in traffic.
“You do know that I survived living in London all by myself for years, right?”
Alice shrugs one shoulder, slumping on the couch. “But you came back because you missed us.”
I hold up a finger. “I never said that was the reason.”
“You didn’t admit it, but I know it. Say it.” She gives me a smug look, and her eyes flash with amusement. “Say. It.”
For a moment I debate holding my ground and teasing her some more, but I know Alice. She’ll pester me until I give in, and the secret to outsmarting Alice is knowing when to choose my battles.
“Fine, I admit it. I missed all of you.”
Alice fist bumps into the air before digging into my pie. “Switch on the TV. The game will begin in two minutes. When is Christopher arriving?”
“No idea.” I click the remote, switching on the TV. At the same time, the doorbell rings. “It’s open,” I say loudly, and Christopher comes in.
“Food,” he exclaims when he reaches the couch, immediately digging into the pie, his eyes glued to the TV. I exchange a look with Alice.
“Your already appalling manners seem to further disappear by the day, Christopher,” Alice admonishes him.
“Hi, Max. Hi, Alice,” he greets. We concentrate on the game for the next forty-five minutes.
“Anyone want to join me in furniture h
unting for the new restaurant tomorrow morning? Pippa is coming too.”