"That’s random as hell."
"I don’t think it is." My cheeks flush, and I pull my tank top out away from my chest where it’s starting to stick—probably from the heat, but also Max’s proximity. "I had just thought about how we make a good team, then I turned around and it was there. Like an agreement to my internal monologue."
He chews on his bottom lip, staring at the waves crashing. "I wish I could say that’s the most unbelievable thing I’ve heard, but it’s not. After Olive’s situation, I’m not sure much is out of the realm of possibility."
"What’s my situation?" A sweet voice drifts out from behind us, and Max turns in his seat.
"Ollie?" His eyes widen, and I turn to follow his gaze. "What are you doing here?"
His sister-in-law giggles, then tosses down her beach bag. "Well, someone may have leaked that you two were coming here—"
"Mabel," Max says, with a slight beat of annoyance in his tone.
"Actually, no," a gorgeous brunette that I recognize as Ariella Marino says as she steps up beside Olive. "Hey Sadie, you probably don’t remember me. I’m Ari."
"I know exactly who you are." I cross my arms. She’s been leading Howie on for years. I don’t know enough about her to dislike her, but I can’t foresee us being besties any time soon. Howard deserves the world, and from what I know, she isn’t giving it to him.
"Ice cold… I love you already," she coos before throwing a towel down beside my chair and getting comfortable.
"Who told you then?" Max demands.
His brother and Howie saunter up, schlepping a cooler and a couple of chairs. They’re followed by two other women and a man with neatly trimmed blond hair that’s carting a mini grill and some sort of net in a wagon.
"Aunt Dee Dee told me." Howie drops his side of the cooler and uses his foot to nudge Ariella out of the way so he can set up a chair.
Max looks at me, his eyes wide but apologetic, and all I can do is burst into a hearty laugh. Of course my mother would send a whole pack of people to our first official "hangout" to spy. Max follows my lead, leaning back in his chair while cracking up.
When I finally get it together, I manage to address the situation. "Okay, so let me get this straight. You’re all working adults?" A chorus of yes’s and nods rain down. "And you decided that coming to hang out with Max and me at the beach on a Wednesday was more important than going to said jobs?"
Again, they all nod or provide some form of agreement, and I remain baffled. I haven’t called out of work, maybe ever—and they all just did it like it’s no big deal. No wonder Max doesn’t have a girlfriend. He’s surrounded by the world's largest group of cockblockers.
He reaches out, squeezing my hand where it rests on my thigh. "Well, since you weirdos decided to come and make this a party, I guess I better make introductions."
Max runs through the list: there’s Olive and Sam, Ariella and Howie, which I already know, obviously. Then he introduces his sisters Bridget and Nora, and Nora’s boyfriend Thad. He winces a little when he says his name, and I make a mental note to ask him for more intel on that situation later.
The group scurries about, setting up a volleyball net, so many chairs, and the grill, which is promptly lit for burgers and hotdogs. It’s not the day I thought I was going to have, but I find it amusing the way they are all so willing to meddle in Max’s life, the way they’re all so protective of him.
twenty
Max
Sweet Oblivion
Diving for the ball that my brother shanked, sand flies in all directions as my body crashes to the ground.
"Max!" Bridget yells, wiping sand off her legs. "Keep it over there."
My eyes scan the group of ladies. They’ve moved their chairs into a semicircle, and Sadie is parked right in the middle of it. It’s obvious they’re grilling her. Her cheeks are rosy, her eyes turned down as she picks the hem of her shorts.
Pushing myself up, I slip casually around the cooler and approach my girl. Dropping to my knees in front of her, I subtly slide my palm up her thigh and lean in to whisper in her ear.
"You doing okay?"
Her breath hitches, and a shiver runs through her. She turns to me, her lips brushing my cheek. "I’m doing fine. You told them my secret."
My heart skips a beat. Obviously, Howie already knew, but I probably shouldn’t have blabbed to my family, even if I was doing it with good intentions.
Leaning back, I push to stand and reach my hand out for her. "Sorry, ladies." I glance at the peanut gallery. "I’m going to steal her for a few minutes."
