In frickin' Bali?
"Yeah," I manage to get out. "That's a big mix up."
"Yeah, it's abigmix up." Her phone begins to buzz again and this time she grabs it, her long manicured nails curling around the display. "I have to take this. I'll email you the details and also check in with your sister. She's Max's plus one. You'll be staying in the same villa as her, so you won't be alone."
Oh, my gawd.
I cover my mouth with my hand to hide my inexplicable smile. She's up and pacing again with the phone clutched to her ear. I lower my hand and glance at the terrified two, who haven’t moved since I walked in. I want to, like, cuddle them or something.
Feeling a little dazed and in need of a Toni and Cassidy conversation dissection, I walk towards the door. As I glance behind me to wave at her, I slam into something hard. Two hands grip my shoulders and centre me. Startled, I look up and find myself staring at a scowling Max. My mouth drops open when I see he's in a black suit with a black tie pulled loosely around his neck. His white shirt is unbuttoned slightly, showing the licks of a tattoo on his neck.
There is no way I'd guess this guy was only twenty-four. He has the appearance and presence tonight of someone in his thirties. He looks pissed off, as if I have no right to be here. As if he didn't punch my date in the face. As if I'm an annoying little sister.
"The fuck are you doing here?"
My heart races. "Wow, it's nice to see you too."
Xander appears by his side. "Cassidy, I should have known it was you. Only you could make my brother forfeit his hand because he'd heard your voice."
Max throws Xander daggers before aiming them back at me. "Why are you here?"
As I arch my neck to see him properly, I try to ignore the harshness in his eyes. "You know, my mum has always said that if the wind changes, your face could be stuck like that."
He lets go of my shoulders and folds his thick arms across his chest. "When it comes to you, this is my default expression."
"I seem to have quite the effect on you then," I say smugly. And I'm so impressed with the wit I'm pulling out in the face of Max Butcher's intimidation that I grin.
"When did you become such a smart arse?"
I swallow hard. "I'm not sure."
He glances around and then back at me, the dark look in his eyes stealing my breath. "You shouldn't be here."
My chest tightens when I realise we are not just playfully sparring with words. He actually doesn’t want me here. Scoffing softly at his attitude towards me, I say, "You're giving me whiplash, Max. What's your problem?"
He snorts. "Every time I see you, you're asking for trouble."
I glance at Xander and feel my cheeks glowing withembarrassment. He smiles tightly, eyes pitying and apologetic. I hate that look.
Stacey pokes her head out from an adjoining room and her brows draw together when she sees me. "Max, I've dealt you a hand. You coming back in here?"
Well, she clearly isn't a Cassidy Slater fan. Apparently, neither is Max today. The image of him bent over that redhead suddenly jumps into my mind, igniting me with annoyance.
Butthead!
"I'm leaving anyway," I say as I rush past him, down the steps and towards the statesman.
Xander jogs after me and holds his hand up to the driver. "Just give us a minute." He studies my face for a moment. "Hey, don't worry about Max. If it's any consolation, he doesn't want me here either."
"He's such a jerk sometimes." I stand next to the car, shuffling in place, desperate to get away from Max before he sees the effect he has on me. As if he doesn't already know.
"Yeah. He can be." Xander grips my shoulder with one hand and rocks me slightly. "But he's also the best person I know."
The statesman idles beside us.
I scoff and stare up at Max as he watches us from atop the steps. "Then you need to get out more."
"When you've had the kind of upbringing we've had, the qualities you admire are different."
