Lou swallowed hard. “If you’re sure.”
If it were Frankie I was speaking to, she would’ve protested. But Lou didn’t like to push, especially someone who was trying to strike out on her own. While we were planning the wedding, she’d shared with me how she’d pursued her dream to own theinn and every hurdle she’d overcome to make it happen on her own.
“I need to figure this out on my own,” I said, the words as much of a benefit to myself as they were for her.
I couldn’t rely on anyone. I knew that—I’d known that.I’d forgotten it for a blip when the baby was involved, and I decided to give Todd a chance, to give him the benefit of my doubt for every effort he’d put into the wedding. But it was a mistake. Now, I couldn’t think of all the hurdles I had to sort out. I had to take this one day—one problem—at a time.
First, a place to live.
My phone buzzed twice just as a dark blue Toyota pulled up to the curb. “Oh, I think my ride is here.” I pulled her in for a hug. “Thank you for everything, Lou.”
“If there’s anything you need…” She didn’t need to say the rest. I knew. I knew I could count on her the same way I knew I could count on Max, and that was the exact reason I refused to. I was grateful for everything they’d already done. I wouldn’t ask for more.
“Daisy?” The driver confirmed when I opened the door.
“Yes, thank you.” Tires screeched, and I jerked my head up to see Max’s white truck veer in front of the car, effectively blocking it in the spot.
What—
A door slammed, and then I saw him. He looked furious but ruggedly gorgeous in a pair of worn jeans and a soft flannel, stalking around his truck toward me. This was the Max I was used to seeing. The one I’d ride shotgun with in the early days of MaineStems. The one who let Todd deal with suits and stuck-up investors, and opted instead for the cozy gentleman who just wanted to bring people flowers.
“Hey, man?—”
“Daze, what are you doing?” Max ignored the Uber driver and came over to me, stopping just on the other side of the open car door.
Me? What was he doing? How did he—I caught Harper in my periphery as she appeared at the entrance to the inn, phone in hand.That was how.
I lifted my chin. “I’m going back to my apartment in the city.”
Letting Max Hamilton play my knight in steadfast armor these last four days was my second-worst mistake after agreeing to marry Todd McCormick. Max had an insatiable need to help everyone around him, just like I had an insatiable need not to be helped.
“You don’t have the lease anymore.”
“I’m going to get it back.”
His jaw flexed like the muscles were laying down roots. “You can’t.”
“Of course, I can. I’m sure Mike didn’t rent it again so soon?—”
“I meant you can’t go back and stay in the city by yourself.”
“You mean like I used to?” I demanded, irritation clawing at the edges of my voice.
“Excuse me, do you need the ride?—”
“Yes—”
“No!”
Max grabbed the edge of the door, looking like he might rip it from its hinges the way one would tear a Band-Aid off skin.
“You can’t go back to Portland alone, Daze. Not now. Not with the baby.”
“What am I supposed to do? Live here at your cousin’s inn and twiddle my thumbs until either the baby comes or her father does?” I choked out a laugh of disbelief. At this moment, I wasn’t sure I’d ever let Todd back into her life. Not until she was old enough to fully understand what she risked losing by doing so.“That’s not me, Max. You know that. I can take care of myself. I will take care of myself and the baby. I’ll get my apartment back. My old job back.”
“Bartending? On your feet all day?” He rounded the door like a lion stalking his prey.
Max was rarely this…intense. This demanding. Even when people tried to take advantage of him, of his business, he was still placating. The only time I saw him like this…was this week.Protecting me.
