He pulled out a small box, and I gasped as he opened it, showing off a pair of stunning sapphire and diamond earrings. “I have a confession—I looked at your dress. But that’s because I wanted to get you something to wear with it.”
“I…” Words failed me.
“Will you wear them?”
I nodded, still unable to find my voice. Maxim rarely spent money on himself. In fact, he lived a Spartan lifestyle. Yet, he’d bought a new SUV so Blade could ride around with us more easily. He’d gotten me an entirely new wardrobe and a security detail and so many other little things. But these earrings weren’t little. They were expensive.
My eyes welled with tears, but I willed them back. “Thank you. I’ll cherish them.”
* * *
During the car ride,I kept touching my earrings, enjoying the feel of them in my ears.
“I’m glad you like them,” he said. After a moment, he said, “You need to tell Millie to talk to Stolly. He deserves to know about his kid.”
“I agree,” I said. “But it’s not my place—”
“He deserves to know that his life’s changed.”
“I agree,” I said again, trying hard not to feel defensive. “Millie’s going to tell him—”
“Soon,” Maxim snapped. “I don’t like holding this from him.”
I inhaled through my nose. “I’ll tell her your concerns.”
“If she’s worried about him meeting his responsibilities, she doesn’t need to.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I don’t think that’s her worry. And why do I get the feeling that you’re not talking about Stol any longer?”
He bit back a curse. “The world’s fucked, and I had the worst role models. I can’t imagine having a kid. I’m glad I know you feel the same way.”
I swallowed hard. “I never said I didn’t want kids.” The words came out somewhat garbled, thanks to the emotion in my throat.
“Yeah, you did. You hung up on your mom when she brought it up and you were so mad at Dillon, at the restaurant that night…” He shot me a glance, taking in my crumpled expression.
“Wait. Are you telling me youdowant children?” His tone was accusatory.
“Not right now. I’m still young, but, eventually, yeah, I see myself with a family.”
He remained quiet. “Blade and I aren’t enough?”
“Maxim, it’s not that. For now, I’m happy.” But was I? Knowing that Maxim and I wouldn’t create a sweet little life hurt, deep into my soul. “I need to think.”
We drove the rest of the way to the gala in silence. He seemed to want to talk but never did. I shook off his hands the moment we stepped off the red carpet where the local press took pictures. I was too preoccupied to worry about the photos.
Maxim remained aloof, just like he was with people he didn’t know well. I didn’t understand his need to close himself off, though I thought his coping skill came from losing his sister. Or maybe from having an alcoholic father.
My research into that minefield showcased a heartbreakingly high number of survivors with post-traumatic stress disorder. I struggled to imagine a life where young Maxim wouldn’t know if his father would be home and what mood he’d be in—if the man had spent their grocery money on booze. Such an antithetical upbringing to my own, and one that made me want to clutch him to my chest.
So, yes, I could understand and even sympathize with his concerns about children. But for him to decideforme, without having a conversation… Anger and hurt mingled, leaving me lightheaded and nauseous.
Tonight wasn’t going the way I’d hoped.
Maxim had trotted off to be with his friends under the pretext of getting me a drink while I stood with Keelie, Naomi, and Nicole near our table. My friends looked gorgeous in their gowns. Keelie tugged at the neckline of hers, the most anxious of all of us.
“It gets easier,” Nicole said, watching Keelie with a kind expression. “I had no idea what to expect at the first one of these I attended.”
“Is there a right way?” Naomi asked. She waved her hand. “There is. I know that. I’m just…” She shrugged. We exchanged a look. Naomi had been quieter than usual.
