“Send me a photo of the scan. I want to see my latest niece.” This was how I was torturing Max, telling him he was having a girl, which was exploding his mind. If he did have a daughter, it was unlikely she’d ever be allowed to date without the boy having a full police check and spending some time with the KGB.
There was a growl, which I interpreted as an agreement.
“What’s gotten into you this week?”
His eyes narrowed and he looked suspicious. A suspicious Max wasn’t a good thing to have around.
“Nothing. I’m fine and dandy.” I hated lying.
“Bullshit. You’ve snapped at Nadia, torn a strip off Ewan, and went for a run one lunch time. Since when the fuck do you run?” He undid his water bottle and tipped it over his head.
“A shower would be tidier, Max.”
He raised a brow. “I think it’s Georgia.”
“Who?”
“For fuck’s sake, don’t be a pedant.” He pulled off his gloves and started to unwrap his hands. “I’ve caught you staring at her at least a dozen times this week. Even Jackson noticed in the partners’ meeting on Monday.”
I looked at my feet and bit my lips together. I was shite at lying to my siblings. I was pretty shite at lying full stop.
“She’s attractive.”
“She is.”
“Maybe you should’ve employed someone older. Male.” I shook my head. “She’s so good at what she does, Max.” I tipped my head back. “Fuck.”
Max laughed, loudly. He was too fucking amused.
“I’m enjoying this.”
“Why?” I pulled my gloves off and dropped them. “I’m working my arse off to show I’m not the kid you need to keep worrying about doing something stupid. I’ve curbed going out; stopped hooking up – I’m the fucking poster boy for Mr Professional of the Decade and you’reenjoyingme crushing on the one woman I’d commit career suicide if I went there?”
Max had now pretty much doubled over with laughter. If I didn’t like Victoria so much, I’d have given him another black eye. Maybe a broken nose.
“Max, seriously. It’s like you’ve done this on purpose.”
He shook his head, his laughter calming down. “I needed that.”
“You’re welcome. Anytime you need a laugh, just let me tell you about my life.”
He laughed again. “Claire always said you should’ve gone to drama school.”
“Fuck off.”
“What’s the big deal with taking her out for a drink? If it doesn’t work out, you have to see each other in work, but it happens. Offices across the country are full of the remains of relationships that didn’t work out, you just have to be adult about it.” His face had faded back to its usual serious mode.
“You don’t think it would work out?”
The idea rankled me.
Max shrugged. “She gorgeous and intelligent, and she’s sane, so I’d be surprised if she went out with you in the first place.”
“Thanks, bro.”
His smile ate shit. “Cassie was gorgeous and intelligent and the dictionary definition of crazy. You haven’t dated anyone since her. I’m just judging you by your last – case.”
Trust him to bring law into it.
