LITMIR.BIZ

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happened to Hailey and Devon?”

      “I think they had someplace else to be.”

      “Is this really all mine?” She still couldn’t believe what Hailey and Max had done for her.

      “All yours.”

      “When I didn’t hear from you after getting back from Biloxi, I thought we were done.”

      “I needed a little time to settle my past where it belonged.”

      “And now?”

      “Put to rest.”

      As nice as all this sounded, she wasn’t sure what happened next. “I’m glad.” She pushed aside her doubts about the future and concentrated on enjoying her present. “Can I buy you dinner to celebrate?”

      “I have an errand to run, but after that, I’m free.”

      “How long will it take? Shall I meet you somewhere?”

      “Not long. I could use your help, if you don’t mind.”

      “Sure.”

      They exited the suite, Rachel taking care to lock the door behind her. The hand Max placed against the small of her back spread warmth throughout her entire body. Contentment radiated to every nook and cranny, bringing light to the darkest recesses of her soul.

      He gave her an address and directions before they parted on the downtown street. Still floating in her happy bubble, she scarcely noticed the rush-hour traffic as she crept toward the suburbs. By the time she parked in front of an elegant colonial in one of Houston’s older, affluent neighborhoods, she’d decided whatever form Max wanted their relationship to take, she’d enjoy being with him as long as he wanted her around.

      While she wondered who lived in the house, Max drove up past her in a familiar yellow convertible and parked in the driveway. Her cheeks heated as she recalled what had happened on the hood of that car. Mystified by the reason he was driving one of his rare cars, she crossed the lawn toward him.

      He’d discarded his suit coat and tie and rolled up his sleeves. She took the hand he held out to her and let him lead her toward the front door.

      “What are we doing here?” she asked as they waited for the owner to answer their knock.

      “You’ll see.”

      His mischievous grin told her he wasn’t giving anything away. A second later, she was distracted by the blond man who opened the door. Jason Sterling, Max’s best friend. His gaze bounced from Max to her to the car in the driveway.

      He paled beneath his tan.

      “Oh, man, I never thought I’d see the day.” Jason stepped back to let them enter the house. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

      “Never more sure of anything in the world.” He tossed his keys to Jason and wrapped his arm around Rachel’s waist, guiding her into the foyer.

      She gazed up at him, deciding she’d never seen him so relaxed. “Why did you give Jason your car keys?”

      “Not just the keys,” Jason said.

      “The car.”

      “But you love that car,” she exclaimed. “Why would you sell it?”

      Max raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t sell it.”

      “I won it.”

      Rachel regarded the two men for a long moment, watching the silent interaction between them. “Won it how?”

      Before Max could answer, Jason waggled his head in dismay. “I thought you loved that car.”

      “I love this woman more.”

      Rachel’s breath stopped. Without his arm propelling her forward, her feet would have stopped as well. Instead, she kept going, stumbling over the transition from hardwood floor to area rug. Max’s strong arm supported her. His steady calm soothed her flustered emotions.

      She regained her balance, physically and spiritually, and stared up at him in awe. “You do?”

      “Of course he does,” Jason grumbled. “He’s giving up the find of a lifetime because of you.”

      Max shot his best friend a sour look. Jason retaliated with a disgruntled glare of his own. The undercurrents in the room darted around her like agitated birds. Rachel wasn’t sure what was going on, but she sensed she was at the heart of it.

      “You don’t have to give up your car for me.”

      Max took her hands in his and deposited kisses in both palms. “I’m not giving it up for you. I’m giving it up because I lost a bet.”

      “What sort of bet?”

      “I bet him he’d marry whoever your agency placed as his assistant,” Jason explained.

      The absurdity of it made her laugh. “You were serious about all that?” she asked him. “I thought for sure you’d made it all up as payback for what I did to you five years ago.”

      “No,” Jason said. “We were completely serious. Do you have any idea how many men have married the assistants you’ve placed with them?”

      “You’re both insane.”

      “Nine.” Jason crossed to a table with three crystal decanters and poured himself a shot out of one. When he gestured toward them with the bottle, both she and Max shook their heads. “Nine perfectly happy bachelors have fallen in love. Including my father. His brother. And now my best friend. All because of you.”

      “I wasn’t perfectly happy,” Max insisted.

      Rachel turned on Jason. “You’re behind his idiotic idea that I run a matchmaking service? You can’t seriously think I have anything to do with those couples falling in love.”

      Jason scowled at her. “You match executives and assistants. A lot of them get married.”

      His claim was so preposterous she didn’t know how to refute it. “That’s crazy.”

      “Is it?” Jason gestured behind her.

      Rachel turned. To her astonishment, Max dropped to one knee and produced a ring from his pocket. “Rachel Lansing. Will you marry me?”

      Rachel covered her gasp with both hands as she stared from the man she adored to the ring he held out to her. The large diamond sparkled, hypnotizing her. Her thoughts began to circle. Max wanted to marry her. He loved her. They would live together in his big house and have lots of babies. At least she hoped they would. She had no idea of his views on children. Or any of a hundred things that couples heading toward marriage talked about.

      “Answer him,” Jason bellowed, his impatience spilling over.

      “Yes.”

      Grinning, Max slid the ring on her finger. He got to his feet and cupped her face, drinking from her lips, long and deep.

      By the time they came up for air, Jason had collapsed onto the couch and was staring at the empty glass in his hand.

      “What’s wrong with him?” Rachel whispered, nudging her head toward Jason. “He looks like he’s lost his best friend.”

      Max’s grin was pure mischief. “He’s sad because he’s a miserable, lonely bachelor.”

      “Does he need an executive assistant?”

      Jason came off the couch with a roar. “Don’t you dare.”

      Laughing, Max and Rachel retreated from the house. As Max drove her car back to his place, Rachel leaned her head against the seat rest and admired the ring on her hand. “Do you think there’s anything to Jason’s claim of matchmaking?”

      “No.” His scoffing tone was at odds with his uncertain frown. “But maybe in the future all the assistants

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