Shaking his head to stop going down this particular dark rabbit hole of self-pity, Max focused on what she’d threatened.
“You really won’t love me or marry me, not ever?”
She looked instantly remorseful. “I’m so sorry. That was a very mean thing to say.”
“Then you don’t mean it.”
“No. I don’t mean it. I truly don’t.”
“Okay. I forgive you.” Unable to shake the premonition he was about to do the wrong thing, he said, “Fine. Let’s go to your office. I’ll look at the package, but no promises of acceptance or making a reply.”
“Sure. Maybe I can just send back a note that says you accepted the package, but there was no response.”
Max nodded. “Maybe.” He retrieved his coat from the rack and shrugged it on. She waited patiently while he locked his apartment door and they made their way down the four flights of stairs to the street. This seemed like a bad idea, but maybe if he did this, Ruby would love him and marry him.
Wait. No. He had a spell on him, right? Maybe once the spell was gone he wouldn’t love her anymore or want to marry her. Was that what he wanted? No, not really. Maybe that was just the spell talking. This new life had certainly turned out to be a crazy one. He liked it in a curious way, not knowing what was about to happen. Being spellbound and compelled by Ruby was also interesting. Especially since he not only loved Ruby and wanted to marry her, he also liked her.
She was a good soul. He saw in her mind that she was a very good person. She worked hard. She always tried to do the right thing. Just like he did. And most importantly, just like him, she had been hurt by her family. He certainly understood that. It made him even less inclined to respond to whatever summons this mystery package demanded.
Time to talk about something else.
“Did you mention that you have a brother?”
“Actually, I have two brothers.”
“What are they like?”
“Annoying sometimes, but they care about me.”
“Seems like that’s what brothers would do.”
“I suppose so. I haven’t known them long.”
“That’s sort of odd.” Max dearly wanted to hear everything about her.
“Yes. It is.” She hesitated. He tried not to look in her head, but saw a blip of what she was thinking. She normally wouldn’t explain, but she’d said a mean thing to him and wanted to make it up to him. This made him like her even more.
“Here’s the quick version of my life story. You see, my mom died when I was born and my grandparents were so angry that she’d married my father that they told him both me and my mom had died. He was devastated and went on a drinking spree and met lots of other women. The drinking killed him.
“My mother’s parents raised me far away from here. Let’s just say it wasn’t pleasant. While trying to learn more about my father and his side of my family, I discovered his sister and the fact I had two younger half brothers living with her in America.
“I wanted to find them. My grandparents disagreed. We parted ways.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. It was a good move for me. When I came to Nocturne Falls, I found a loving family filled with people who care about me without any strings attached and two brothers who, while younger, are much bigger than I am. They tease me and I pretend to hate it, but the secret is I am so grateful to be here among those who love me for who I am and not what they expect me to be.”
Max wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a half hug. “I’m so glad you were able to find a better life.”
“Me, too.”
“That’s what I’m looking for.”
“A better life?”
“Yes.”
“Will you share your story with me?”
