“Is it that guy?” he asked. “The one we ran into at the festival?”
My jaw practically hit the parking lot.
How thehelldid he guess that?
Max shook his head, sighing. “I had a feeling, but I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. You two seemed...close.”
“He’s just a friend. From my childhood,” I tried to defend.
“Looked like you wanted more.”
The words weren’t at all accusatory but for some reason my protective instincts flared. It took a lot to reel them in and not lash out at Max because I was feeling vulnerable. None of this was his fault, and him pointing out the damn obvious was the least of what I needed to face the music about.
“Okay.” Admitting it out loud had bile rising in my throat. “Yes. I do. I never meant to drag you into this.”
“Then why text me earlier? Is this some kind of rebound?”
Can’t really be a ‘rebound’ if nothing ever started.
“Not exactly...” The words were mumbled.
He sighed once more, digging two of his fingers into his eyes. “I’m trying to be understanding here, Brandon. I’m just a little confused. If you and your ‘friend’ are together, why did your sister sign you up for a dating service?”
“Well, she doesn’t exactly know about my friend. No one really does.”
Max dropped his hand to his side. “Don’t tell me he’s some serial killer.”
With a snort, I said, “No. Nothing like that. Just a lot of past history, that’s all.”
I felt awful. This entire situation was awful.
If I were a better man, I would’ve never let my sister bully me into signing me up with a matchmaker in the first place and would’ve just dealt with her endless whining until her wedding day where she’d inevitably forget all about it.
Though to be fair, at the time Avery hadn’t come back into my life, so I supposed in that aspect I had a good excuse. However, the second he’d waltzed into my shop, I should’ve cut it off with Max right then and there.
I knew myself better than that, to have hope that I’d be able to move on from that man, even before he’d showed me an ounce of interest.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Really, really sorry. For wasting both of our time.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
It hurt my heart to see him looking that upset.
While I didn’t know Max too well, he was generally an understanding guy and seemed like he wasn’t one to take things to heart too deeply. But with this, I could tell I hurt him, even if it was unintentional.
His gaze wandered over to the bar. “I think it’s time we head inside for a drink.”
“Actually, I think it’s probably a better idea if I head home.”
He nodded, avoiding meeting my eyes with his while he fished his keys out of his pocket. “I’ll bring you back.”
“You’re good.” Stepping away from the car, I held my hands up. “I’m fine walking home. Go have a drink. Tell Sam to put it on my tab.”
“Brandon.”
“You’re good, Max. Seriously. I’ll text you when I get back so you know I didn’t get kidnapped.”
He looked at war with himself, gaze darting from me to the door of the bar and back again. If this was anywhere else but Edgewood, I’d take him up on his offer to drive me home and get me safely tucked inside my house.
