After we get things settled, I pull out my phone to send a text, explaining to Max, “I need to find my mom and get the beach towels from her that go in these welcome bags.”
“I’ll come with you. Sounds like you’ll need help carrying them all.”
“Think you’re ready to meet her?”
He gives me a wink. “May as well rip the band-aid off.”
“She can be a lot.”
His easy grin soothes me. “I’ve been warned, but Moms love me.”
I wonder how many moms he’s met and charmed, and how many girlfriends he’s had who took him home to meet theirfamilies. Both he and Miles were vague about their romantic history, only emphasizing the fact that they weren’t currently involved with anyone and hadn’t been for a while.
Sure enough, when we find my mom in the lobby, her eyes light up at the mere sight of Max, and she looks more and more pleased as he politely shakes her hand and tells her how nice it is to meet her.
“If Callie hadn’t told me you were her mother, I’d have thought you were the bride-to-be.”
“Oh ho. Oh my.” Mom can’t seem to string proper words together in response to this flattery.
“Is this all of the beach towels?” I gesture to the bags clustered beside her, eager to move past the niceties and avoid any questions she might have.
“Oh, right. Yes, Callie.” She manages to pull her eyes away from Max for a moment. “Do you have the other items for the welcome gifts? We need to get them to reception right away.”
“They’re in my room. I’ll add the towels and bring them down.”
Max starts to pick up a couple of the bags, tucking them under his arms so he can carry all of them. “I’ll help. It shouldn’t take long at all.”
Mom gives him a sickeningly sweet smile. “Thank you, Max. That’s so nice of you.”
“No problem, Ms. Baker.”
Again, with effort, she pulls her eyes away from Max. “Callie, have you seen your sister yet?”
"Not yet. Why?"
Mom’s hands twist nervously at her sides. "I thought she'd be here by now, but she hasn't checked in."
"I'm sure she'll be here soon. I'll text her.”
“Tell her I’ll be waiting here for her. I’m also hoping to see Mr. Hargrove. I want to run some things by him, and make sure he’s okay with some of the party details for tonight.”
My brow quirks. Sure, I’ll bet that’s why she wants to see Mr. Hargrove. “We’ll see you later, Mom.”
Arms full, Max dips his head, nodding at her. “It was a pleasure meeting you, and thank you for having me here.”
“Of course, Max. Delighted.”
I lean in and whisper to him as we walk back to the elevators. “I have never seen her disarmed that way. I expected her to be at stress level ten, but you softened her to at least a five.”
He shrugs. “What can I say? It’s a gift.”
I press the button and we step into the waiting elevator. After the doors close, I say, “Miles made such an opposite impression on me in yoga class. You must have gotten all of the charm.”
There’s a hint of a frown as he tips his head. “Miles has his strengths.”
CHAPTER 20
CALLIE
