LITMIR.BIZ

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all she and Max had. But it was more comfortable to cling to that notion than to open herself up to hope and end up getting hurt.

      “He invited you to his parents’ anniversary party.”

      Part of her longed to believe Devon’s optimistic take on her and Max. Spending time with him made her happier than she’d ever been. But he’d insisted from the start that he wasn’t with her for the long term. And his track record bore that out.

      “He’s between women at the moment.”

      Devon stared at her for a long time. “Or maybe he’s found the one he wants.”

      “Or maybe,” she countered stubbornly, “he hasn’t. And he just likes to stick his nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

      “You don’t really believe that’s all there is to it.”

      “I can’t afford to believe anything different.” Despair was close to swallowing her unsteady composure.

      “So, you’re going to push him away?”

      Rachel picked up her pen and twirled it. “After what happened last night and today, I don’t think I’m going to have to.”

      To her surprise and despite their rocky week, when Saturday night rolled around, Rachel found herself at Max’s side as they ascended the steps of his parents’ home in the western suburb of Houston, a gated community with wall-to-wall mansions. She had no clear idea how she had arrived at this moment. Sure, she’d given her grudging acceptance that morning in Gulf Shores so he’d stop torturing her body with seductive caresses that got her motor revved up, but took her nowhere.

      But after their argument at her house and how disinterested he’d been about her leaving Case Consolidated Holdings …

      She figured he was done with her.

      Then late Wednesday night, he’d shown up at her office with the sea glass bracelet he’d bought her five years earlier. When she’d gone back to Mississippi, she’d left the bracelet behind because it was a talisman representing hope and joy. By returning to her marriage, she didn’t believe she deserved such a keepsake.

      She couldn’t stop wondering why Max had kept the bracelet all these years. Did it mean he’d never stopped caring about her? What if it had no significance at all? Every question battered the armor surrounding her heart. Sleep came only after hours of tossing and turning. Her appetite had dropped off. She caught herself daydreaming at work while Devon worked harder than ever.

      And Brody called her often to remind her how impatient he was.

      Her life felt like it was spinning out of control and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could hang on.

      “Stop fidgeting,” Max advised. He set his hand at the small of her back, his touch soothing. “You look fine.”

      Rather than let him see how ragged her emotions were, Rachel retreated into sarcasm. “Fine?” She glazed the word with contempt. “What makes you think any woman wants to be told she looks fine?”

      To her intense annoyance, his lips twitched. His relaxed mood made it hard to keep her glare in place. Why did the man have to make her so damned happy?

      “You look gorgeous.”

      Her harrumph resulted in a full-blown grin.

      “I really shouldn’t be here,” she said for about the hundredth time. “This isn’t a business associate or a group of friends, this is your family.”

      He’d never given her a satisfying answer about his true motive for badgering her to accompany him. In the end, she’d let him convince her to attend the party, but dug in her heels when he insisted she also be there for the family-only renewal of vows that had taken place earlier that afternoon at the church where his parents had originally been married.

      “You’re here because I didn’t want to go through this alone.”

      His explanation made perfect sense. She was a stand-in because he was between women. She knew better than to call them girlfriends. Max dated, but he didn’t get involved. Casual affairs were more his style.

      So, what were they doing?

      Since Wednesday, she’d gone home with him after work and spent the night at his house. They watched TV. They made dinner. They made love. Playing house. Getting to know each other better with each hour that passed. The chemistry wasn’t burning out the way he’d said it would. In fact, it was getting hotter by the day.

      Nor was either of them trying to cool things off or slow things down.

      Two months, she kept telling herself. That’s how long his relationships usually lasted according to the notes in Andrea’s computer. She wouldn’t think any further into the future than that.

      A maid opened the front door as they approached. The grand, two-story foyer Max nudged her into was half the size of her house. She gaped like a girl from a small beach town. Meeting wealthy executives at their offices didn’t prepare her for the reality of what money could buy.

      “Did you grow up here?” she asked, trying to imagine three energetic boys roughhousing around the expensive furniture and exquisite antiques.

      “No. Mom and Dad downsized after they kicked the chicks out of the nest.”

      Her breath rushed out. “Downsized?”

      “This house only has four bedrooms.”

      “Only.” Apparently, her answers were limited to two syllables.

      “Come on. Let’s go congratulate the happy couple.” The mischief vanished from his eyes as he steered her deeper into the house.

      With Max’s arm around her waist, Rachel floated through the large, perfectly decorated rooms in a haze of anxiety and awe. Her nervousness was tempered by a couple things. First, the beige silk cocktail dress she’d splurged on might have come off the rack of her favorite consignment store, but it was a designer original and she needed that boost of confidence as they passed by women wearing thousands of dollars worth of gowns and jewelry. Second, most of the furniture had been upholstered in tones of cream, beige and gold. That meant she could sit down and virtually disappear.

      “There’s Mom. Let me introduce you.”

      She hung back as Max leaned forward and kissed his mother on the cheek. Dressed in a beaded cream gown with diamonds at her ears, wrist and around her neck, Susan Case looked every inch a wealthy socialite, but the smile she beamed at her son looked warm and genuine enough to put Rachel at ease.

      “Mom, this is Rachel Lansing. Rachel, my mother, Susan.”

      Rachel stretched her lips into a smile, hoping her nerves didn’t show, and shook the soft hand Susan Case offered. “It’s really nice to meet you,” she said. “Max talks about you a lot.”

      “Have you two been dating long?”

      “Oh, we’re not dating,” Rachel insisted in a rush. “I own an employment placement service. I’m helping him find an assistant to replace Andrea.”

      “I see.” But it was obvious she didn’t.

      Rachel didn’t miss the curious glance Susan sent winging toward her son. Beside her, Max radiated displeasure. Well, what did he expect? That she was going to explain the complicated arrangement between them when she wasn’t exactly sure how to define it herself?

      “How is the hunt for a new assistant going?”

      “He’s turning out to be a difficult man to please.” She shot Max a warning look to shut down whatever protest he was about to make.

      “Is he, now,” Susan murmured wryly. “Well, I’m sure you’ll figure out how to make him happy.”

      Rachel flushed at the subtext of Susan’s remark and wished a sinkhole would develop beneath her feet. Before she mustered a response,

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