Max snorted. “He must love that.”
She grinned, and the devil behind it was adorable. “I think he hated his high school nickname more.”
“Which was?”
“Alley Cat because he was a bit of a slut,” she said with a hint of fondness in her voice. Max burst out laughing. “He grew out of that in college. And now he’s blind to anyone who isn’t Abigail. You’ll see how he looks at her—like she hung the moon and stars. He’s so completely, utterly in love with his girlfriend that it’s almost sickening how sweet they are together. But mostly, it’s just beautiful to see him so happy and devoted. You’ll get to meet her this evening.” Paloma’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel. The car slowed as her foot eased off the accelerator. “Speaking of tonight, are you sure about coming over? Your friend won’t mind?”
He avoided the question, asking his own. “Who’s Fence?”
She sighed, facing the street. “Remember when I told you about the guy I took home who stole from me?”
“Yeah . . .” He forced his voice to stay even though the mention of another man getting to touch Paloma and then hurting and humiliating her made him want to do violence.
“Fence is his nickname. I don’t actually know his real name,” Paloma admitted. “Well, with his contacts, he helped me get back what was stolen.”
“Ah,” Max said. Well damn, now he couldn’t hate the man. “As for my friend, Jamie and I don’t have a set time.” That was a lie. He was expected in the next hour or so. But there was no way he was leaving Paloma with her knight in tarnished armor.
Chapter Thirteen
September 13th, 5:15 p.m.
Paloma’s car swung left onto Front Street, tires crunching over loose gravel. Max rolled down his window, taking in the faint freshwater scent from nearby Grand Traverse Bay. It was mixed with the subtle fragrance of hanging baskets and planters that decorate the street. The combination was Michigan magic.
The sugar maples lining the street were beginning to hint at autumn, with a few leaves starting to blush gold at the edges. The design was perfect for the bustling city. Their still-full canopies provided a beautiful backdrop and ample shade for pedestrians strolling along the sidewalks enjoying ice cream and the sunset.
She made another turn, and the busy main street faded away like the last whisper of summer. She parked in front of her brother’s house, a beautiful two-story building with burnt red siding and white trim. Max had a soft spot for homes with front porches, and Felix’s lined the front of his. A mature sugar maple dominated the small yard, its canopy a vibrant palette of reds and golds that seemed to capture the essence of a Michigan autumn.
“Nice place,” Max said, retrieving Paloma’s small roller bag from the trunk and walking her to the porch.
Thefront door swung open before she’d even knocked, and in the entryway stood a taller, masculine version of Paloma. The same black hair, azure eyes, and wide, full mouth regarded her with a huge grin.
He pulled her into a bear hug. “Sis! It’s been too long.”
“It has.” She squeezed him tight.
A woman with light brown hair who looked like her last name should be Kennedy or Rockefeller glided around Felix. Her green eyes crinkled with genuine delight as she enveloped Paloma in a tender embrace. “How are you?” she asked, her voice rich and melodious, each word enunciated with the polish of a finishing school education.
Paloma beamed, pulling away from the hug. “Max, this is my brother, Felix, and his girlfriend, Abigail.”
“Nice to meet you,” Felix said, ushering them inside. “I’d give you a tour of the whole house, but the upstairs is going through a major renovation, and anyway, all the fun is downstairs.
Crossing the threshold, Max was enveloped in the warmth and the intoxicating aroma of spiced rum. Through the foyer, they stepped into laughter and clinking glasses. The house was filled with people.
“Welcome to card night. Poker’s in the dining room,” Felix announced. “To the right, in the dining room, is poker.” Max glimpsed a long cherrywood table, every seat filled. Then, they moved to a large, open family room and kitchen. Groups of four sat around a coffee table, another at a high top. “In here is euchre. At the breakfast nook is Texas hold ’em.
“What do you say?” Abigail asked, pulling out two bar stools at the kitchen’s island. “Play a little euchre?”
“Euchre?” he echoed, punched in the heart by nostalgia. During his second semester at his new high school, he’d been paired with Jackson for an assignment. They’d gotten along, and Max had been invited for cards. There, he met Asher and other people who were still his friends today. They taughthim the game, but more importantly, it had been the first time he’d truly felt like he belonged in his new home. “I’d love to,” Max said, his voice thick with memory.
Felix mixed drinks as they settled into their seats. The familiar rhythm of shuffling and dealing filled the air. Max was instantly at ease, swept up in the friendly competition and banter.
The hours slipped by, and the next time he looked out the window, the moon and stars were out, and he was three or five old-fashioneds deep into what was shaping up to be an unforgettable night. His cheeks ached from laughter, and his mind buzzed pleasantly with liquor. Across from him sat Paloma, his partner against Felix and Abigail. Fence and a woman whose name he couldn’t quite recall—was it Bella?—were sipping their drinks and watching the action.
“Alright, last hand,” Felix announced, shuffling the cards. “We’re all neck and neck, so this is for all the marbles.”
Max picked up his hand, glancing briefly at Paloma before he assessed his cards. He had the Jack of hearts, nine of hearts, King of clubs, ace of spades, and Queen of diamonds. The up card was the ten of spades. Across the table, Abigail shuffled her cards while Felix looked at his hand thoughtfully.
“Pass,” Max said, his eyes flicking to Paloma. She met his gaze, her brow knitting slightly, and he caught the faintest tilt of her head. He’d learned that meant she had a plan.
