He nodded hello to Kendra before his gaze met Hadley’s. “Hey, could I talk to you a minute? Outside?”
As soon as Hadley heard the tension in his voice, she knew something was wrong. “Of course.”
Max pushed open the door and stepped outside with Hadley.
As soon as the door closed, he turned toward her and stepped closer. Snow flurries drifted around them and clung to their hair.
He’d come to tell her something timely. But as he looked at her now, his thoughts disappeared.
He was drawn to her by something he didn’t fully understand . . . and wasn’t sure he wanted to. Keeping some distance would be easier. So would slowing things down and addressing his hesitation.
But none of that seemed to matter when Hadley was standing in front of him.
When Max was with her, he knew without a doubt that she could be the best thing to ever happen to him. He wanted to keep believing the two of them had a chance together. But would they when she learned all the details about his past?
He should just tell her. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to do that. The words stopped in his throat.
Hadley smiled up at him and gave his hand a squeeze. “Good to see you.”
Something shifted in Max’s chest, and his heavy thoughts disappeared. “Not as good as it is to see you.”
Their gazes held, neither of them in a hurry to look away.
Then Hadley’s expression softened. “Is everything okay? You sounded urgent.”
Her words brought him back to reality and the reason he’d come out here.
He’d intended on telling her this in the kennel. But then he’d seen Kendra, and he hadn’t wanted her close when he talked to Hadley.
“I didn’t want to say anything earlier,” he started. “I didn’t want to alarm you. But someone got into my truck last night while I was at your apartment and slashed the seats.”
“What?” Her eyes widened. “Max, I’m so sorry. That’s awful. Who would’ve done that?”
“Kenny, maybe. Or Travis. It’s hard to say. Sheriff Sutherland’s looking into it.”
A frown tugged at Hadley’s lips as she shook her head. “That’s not normal. None of this is normal.”
“No, it’s not.” He shifted his weight. “Sheriff Sutherland and his guys are still searching for Lyndee. They’re checking cabins deeper in the forest to see if there are any signs Kenny and Lyndee have been there.”
Hadley’s expression tightened. “Hopefully, there will be an update soon.”
Max glanced toward the trees beyond the property before looking back at her. “I hope so.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Max’s attention drifted toward the building behind them—to where Kendra was. Without meaning to, he frowned.
Hadley’s eyes narrowed as she seemed to notice his reaction. “What is it?”
Max hesitated before saying, “I didn’t know how to bring this up or even if I should. But for the sake of transparency, I thought I should let you know that Kendra hasn’t . . . well, she hasn’t taken our breakup well.”
Hadley’s brows drew together.
“I don’t want to make things worse by flirting with another woman when she’s around. Does that make sense?”
Hadley nodded, understanding settling in her expression. “It makes perfect sense. I wouldn’t want to do that to her either. In fact, I appreciate your consideration of her.”
He let out a small breath, relieved that Hadley understood. Of course, she did. He hadn’t expected anything different from her. “Thank you.”
