Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“Maximus is a beautiful name,” she protested.
I bit my lip and shook my head.
Her eyes danced with amusement. “Is it very ghastly?”
I chuckled. It dawned on me that I had also judged her unfairly. People carried all sorts of burdens, and Marilyn was no exception just because she was wealthy.
“Let’s just say it ranks up there with weird names.”
“We should go shopping the next time I come to New York,” she said. “Do the things I could have done with a daughter.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I could be out of Max’s life for good at any time. “That would be nice.”
Chapter 52
Max
Ifelt I’d been in a fog the last three days, but even so, I was disgusted with myself when I looked in the mirror. I couldn’t believe I’d almost given the game away last night. I had nearly unraveled all the good work Chris had done. They could so easily pull out and we’ll never find who it was. After all this time of those bugs in my office driving me crazy.
Luckily, Lillian had not insisted and asked more questions.
I pulled on a pair of jogging pants and a white T-shirt and went downstairs.
Lillian and my mother were in the kitchen talking over coffee like old friends. It did something to me seeing them like that, but I dismissed that feeling as sentimentalism brought about by illness.
I sneaked a look at Lillian and warmth flooded me.
Not wanting to appear like a love-sick fool, I moved to the counter to pour myself a mug of coffee. I hadn’t had coffee in days and I was craving it. I carried it to the kitchen island and stood drinking it.
“I must say you’re looking a whole lot better after your little nap, Max,” my mother noted.
I stared at her in disbelief. “That’s the first time you’ve ever called me Max.”
An embarrassed expression came over her features, then she shrugged as if it was no big deal. “Oh well. If that’s the name you prefer...”
I grinned. “I’ve hated Maximus all my life, but it would be very weird if you stopped calling me that. You can keep calling me Maximus, Mother.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. There are privileges to being my mother.”
My mother flushed with quiet joy.
I turned to Lillian. “Did you sleep well?”
She smiled. “I did, thanks.”
Her politeness reminded me of the early days when she became my PA.
“I’m going to leave now that I can see you’re in good hands,” my mother said, standing up. “I’ve booked a car to the airport. Should be here in ten minutes. I’ll go get my things.” She came and kissed me then left us alone.
“Can you manage some toast?” Lillian asked.
“That would be nice… um… thank you.”
I would have given anything to know what she was thinking about as she toasted my bread. Just a week ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about going to stand behind her and wrapping her in my arms.
She brought the toast over and I proceeded to eat, my appetite a lot better. Lillian’s phone rang as I was eating and I could tell from her end of the conversation that she was speaking to Maggie. Then Lillian let out a shriek of excitement, jumped up, and as if unable to contain herself she did a little mad dance.
“Oh my God. Oh my God. I knew it. I knew it. Congratulations. I’m so happy for you,” she sang, quite beside herself with joy.
“What was that all about?” I asked when she got off the phone
“Martin finally proposed.”
I looked at her curiously. “Why are you doing the happy dance then?”
“I’m happy for her,” she said simply.
Women were strange creatures. When Chris told me he was marrying Jennifer I was happy for him, but I was not so over the moon happy that I needed to break into a happy dance.
Her phone rang again. “It’s my sister,” she said as she swiped to answer.
“Hey, Rose,” she said, then stiffened. “Is he okay? Okay, good. That’s good. Of course, no problem, the only thing is that I’m not home. Hang on a second.”
She put the call on hold and turned to me. “My brother-in-law has fractured his hand. Is it okay if my sister drops off the kids here for a few hours? Or should I meet them at my apartment?”
“Of course, it’s okay for them to come here.” I’d never been around children, but a part of me was looking forward to the experience if Lillian was going to be there as well.
She shot me a grateful smile and returned to her call. “That’s fine. I’ll send you the address.”
She disconnected the call and grabbed my hand. “You could do with a shower. Let’s go take one together. They’ll be here soon.”
We stripped our clothes and entered the bathroom. Lillian ran the shower until it was lovely and warm, and then she pulled me in.