James was in a good mood. He came through the door whistling—smiling, even.Probably just coming from Sandee’s place.
His smile faded when he saw Maxi’s face. His gaze drifted to the bags beside her. He stopped mid-whistle.
“Maxi? What’s going on?” He was a good actor because he seemed genuinely confused, as if he couldn’t think of a reason why Maxi would have her bags packed. Then again, maybe his confusion stemmed from the fact that he thought Maxi was too naive to figure it out. That thought ratcheted up her anger another notch.
Maxi willed herself to keep calm. “I think you know what’s going on.”
“Are you going on a trip?”
“No. I expect you’re probably relieved and happy that I’m leaving.”
“Leaving? But where? For how long?” James still seemed confused, and now he looked appropriately upset, which only made Maxi angrier.
“You don’t have to play dumb. I know all about what you’ve been up to.”
“You do?”
Ha! See, he isn’t even denying it!“I’m not stupid. All the late nights. The way you don’t want to take up any of the things I’ve suggested...”
“Huh? I’ve been working at the bank on a project. I figure it would give you time to—”
Maxi cut him off. “Enough! At least give me the dignity of admitting it.”
“Admitting what? I still have no idea what you're talking about.”
“Seriously? I suppose you’re going to deny that was you downtown pretending like you didn’t see me as you drove past?”
James’s face turned red, a sure sign he was lying. He sputtered, “No. I didn’t s-see you downtown. I was at the bank. Well, I went out for a—”
Maxi grabbed the handle of her suitcase, the action cutting off his words. She started toward the door. He grabbed her arm as she walked past.
“Maxi, it’s not what you think. Let me explain.”
The pleading look in his eye might have stopped her if she hadn’t been so angry. But she was on a roll now and didn’t want to lose her nerve.
It was now or never.
She jerked her arm away. “I’m sorry, James, but I can’t listen to any of your excuses now. Don’t try to contact me. I’ll contact you when I’m ready.”
Maxi opened the door and fled before he could say another word.
James stared at the front door, his brain trying to process what had just happened. Maxi was leaving?
“Wait!” He rushed to the door and flung it open, only to see the taillights of Maxi’s car as she peeled out of the driveway.
What in the world was going on?
Maxi had been acting a little strange lately, but he’d never expected something like this. He’d thought she was just bored. He’d tried to encourage her to take up one of her old hobbies, but she’d seemed reluctant. And yes, their relationship had been off, but he put it down to all the turmoil with their last child moving out and the house being empty. It was a big change for Maxi. He’d tried to support her, but truth be told, he had no idea how to do that.
He collapsed on the couch, the sinking feeling growing. Was she really gone? Maybe she just needed some time to think. That was probably it.
But she’d said some odd things. It was almost as if she were mad at him for something. Maybe he shouldn’t have worked late so much, but the project he was on could be a big one for the bank, and getting it done early meant he could surprise Maxi with that trip to Europe she’d been hinting about.
But now... would he ever go on a trip with her again?
If only she’d let him get a word in edgewise, he would have told her that. Dammit! He’d never been good at thinking quickly on his feet. That was why he’d pretended not to see her downtown. He’d gotten flustered. And tonight she’d caught him off guard, and he didn’t know what to say to her because he didn’t want to spoil the surprise.
Speaking of which…
