Sterling (Carolina Reapers 6)

“That’s some dress,” a familiar male voice said, and I couldn’t help but drop my shoulders just a tad as I turned to face him.

Maxim looked stunning in his all-black tux, but he wasn’t the brother I’d been hoping would seek me out. “Thank you,” I said. “You look nice too.”

“May I?” he asked, motioning to the empty spot next to me at the bar.

I nodded, my heart in my throat. I hated that in the back of my head, I wondered what Jansen would think if he walked in and saw me chatting with Maxim. But, if we were ever going to work things out, he needed to trust me. Plus, it wasn’t like I was just going to suddenly stop being friends with Maxim, even if we did have some issues to work through. Also, Jansen may not even show. That thought stung worse than any other.

“I wanted to apologize,” he said after ordering a drink. “Properly, this time. That day…I was livid for many reasons. Most of which had nothing to do with you or Sterling.”

I arched a brow. “Need to share?”

The line of his jaw hardened, and that familiar darkness swirled in his eyes. Maxim had so many walls up it was a shock he could speak around them at all. “Not today,” he said, but I heard the words for what they were—not with you.

And I respected that. There were weights only certain people could bear, and I knew I wasn’t that person for Maxim. I had been that person for his brother, and I hoped like hell it meant something.

“I understand,” I said, and also had hope in my heart for him. Hope that he would find someone to bear his scars to, someone to help him see past his hatred, the darkness that clung to him. “And you don’t have to apologize again, Maxim,” I continued. “You’ve done so already, several times.” And it meant a lot to me that he wanted to save our friendship, especially since he’d become a regular part of my life with his friendship with Caspian. It would’ve been terribly awkward if we’d hated each other and yet were still forced to see each other on the reg.

“I wanted to, though,” he said. “And I needed you to know the truth. A truth I wasn’t willing to see before.”

I took a sip of my champagne, tilting my head.

“Sterling didn’t pursue you because of any plot against me,” he said. “And I’m an asshole for even thinking that. Not because I’m a new fan of his—I’m not,” he clarified. “But because I am a fan of yours. You’re smart and funny and understanding. Gorgeous, to say the least, and you can keep up with the guys.” Heat flushed my cheeks at his words. “Anyone who goes after you, myself included, can see why you’re a catch. I shouldn’t have thought there would be any other reason for Sterling wanting you other than you’re incredible.”

I swallowed around the rock in my throat. “Maxim,” I said, and his name sounded like an apology. “I…” What could I say? That I was sorry for not choosing him? For not going out with him when he’d asked? For falling in love with his brother?

“It’s okay,” he said, waving off my clear struggle for words. “You were right about what you said in the bar a couple of weeks ago. I always knew you were a catch, but I never thought about it that way until I saw how Sterling looked at you.” He flashed me an apologetic look. “And you were right about me not wanting anything serious. I’m not the commitment guy. I can’t be that guy for anyone…but we would’ve had fun,” he teased, showing just the tiniest smirk that no doubt would normally melt panties.

Not mine, though. Not when there was only one man I wanted, needed.

“Oh, I have no doubt,” I said, laughing as I shook my head. “But Jansen…” I sighed, unable to fully encompass what he meant to me. “He’s my island.”

Maxim tilted his head, confusion flickering in his gaze before he shrugged. “I get it,” he said, straightening his immaculate suit. “Why you fell for him. I mean, my DNA is irresistible.”

I laughed again and sighed when he slipped his arms around me in a friendly hug.

“I hope everything works out for you,” he said, releasing me.

“You too, Maxim,” I said, and he dipped his chin before he snagged his drink and headed back into the party.

My chest settled with that little piece of closure, but I couldn’t stop myself from scanning the room full of guests.

No sign of Jansen, but…

Oh, fuck, was that Asher Silas heading my direction?

I drank the rest of my champagne in one gulp, my heart racing at the reasoning why Silas would single me out tonight. What if he hated the event? What if we hadn’t raised enough money? What if—