Connor smiled at him. He liked Declan, and if he was going to fitin here, he needed to get along with the locals.
He couldn’tjusthave a pathetic crush on Max and not makeany other friends.
“Oh, Max is helping me, too. Winning a big wedding contest wouldbe a good look for a wedding planner.”
“Did I know you were a wedding planner?” Declan asked.
“I don’t think so?” Connor frowned. He hadn’t really been tellingpeople what he did for a living, if he could avoid it.
Shame stopped him. Shame and fear that people would find out howhe’d screwed up.
He felt as though he was among friends here, though.
“Huh, well, you picked a good place to move to,” Declan said.“People love a good wedding here.”
“I’m on a break right now,” Connor said. “But that’s good for whenI go back to it. After this competition, I hope.”
Max smiled at him, making Connor’s stomach flutter.
He was so weak for pretty boys smiling at him.
“Well, if there’s anything I can do to help you guys, all you haveto do is ask. Ash, too. I know how much he wants to help Max out.”
“You guys are doing more than enough,” Max said. “I reallyappreciate this job. And I love it.”
“Yeah, well, we like having you here. And your secret’s safe withme, by the way. I won’t tell a soul you’re faking it.”
“Thanks.” Max smiled. “It’s not a big deal, it’s just the magazinepeople who need to believe. Right, Connor?”
“Right, yeah. I mean… we can trust you.” Connor shrugged. “As longas the magazine thinks this is for real… we’re fine.”
“Cool, got it. Secret’s still safe. You wanna go make Connor herea cup of coffee?” Declan asked Max.
“Oh, uh…” Max looked between them again. “Sure, yeah, love to. Ifyou’re hanging around for one?”
“I think I could spare enough time to drink a cup of your amazingcoffee,” Connor said.
“Oh, yeah, Max is a natural,” Declan agreed. “Took ten minutes totrain, got it first try. Smart kid.”
Max blushed to the tips of his ears. “I’ll get you that coffee,”he murmured, scurrying over to the counter.
Connor grinned as he went, heading over to sit down.
Now he just had to figure out exactly how he was going to impressMax with dinner.
Chapter Twelve
Max hummed softly as he hung his coat up in the hall, rolling hisshoulders and sniffing the air as he headed into the kitchen. His mom wasobviously home right now, and making something delicious for dinner.
His stomach rumbled at the thought. Wednesday nights he finishedat the bowling alley at seven, so when his mom wasn’t working, she cooked forall of them, and they had dinner together.
Nights like this had become a rare treat, and he was lookingforward to it. For the first time in a long time, he felt as though his lifewas halfway under control.
“Hey, mom,” he called as he entered the kitchen, planning onheading to the sink for a glass of water.
His stomach sank as he saw the magazine on the table. He’d thoughtit was coming out tomorrow, but… maybe the grocery store had gotten them inearly, or something. Put them on the shelf tonight, instead of waiting for themorning.
He hadn’t realized that he and Connor would be on the cover.
