Page 14

Good. I was still trying to figure out how to explain things.
* * *
“I can’t believethat woman came by your office and tried to pump you for information about a client.” Licking a bit of salt from my lip, I shook my head and met Dina’s gaze, a blue just a few shades lighter than my own. “Did you warn Marti and her husband?”
“No.” She heaved out a sigh as she expertly flipped the chicken breasts she was grilling for the tacos. After lowering the grill’s cover, she picked her drink back up and joined me at the table. “They’re on their honeymoon. Not due back for two weeks.”
“Nice.”
“Yeah.” Heaving out a sigh, she slumped in her seat. “How can I interrupt that to suggest they put out a restraining order against a crazy ex?”
Dina drained her margarita and checked the time on her watch. “Let’s eat inside. I want another drink, and it’s too hot out here for me, even with the shade and the fan.”
Once inside, seated at the table with full plates and glasses, she gestured to the bowl with a tortilla chip. “Okay, little sister. I confessed. Now, it’s your turn. How are you suddenly in possession of such an expensive vase?”
“James Maximus sent it,” I said, deciding just to tell it all.
Dina, glass halfway to her lips, paused. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” I heaved out a sigh and grabbed my glass, downing a healthy swallow. Putting it back down, I pinned my gaze on the beautiful bowl. I met him in the hotel kitchen when I asked if they could help with the Mary Jo situation.
Grimacing, I explained how I’d put my size seven shoe into my mouth, and my sister laughed out loud. “You didnotdress down James Maximus in hisownhotel?”
It was the third time she’d repeated that question, so I didn’t bother responding.
Eyes bright and lit with her lingering amusement, she finally straightened and picked up her margarita. “To my favorite sister and her arrogant, mouthy self. May you never change.”
“Bitch,” I said with a smile. She was my sister, after all. “BTW, I’m your only sister.”
“And still my favorite,” she said with a smirk. “Okay, so…after you turned Maximus down, he…what? Started stalking your Pinterest board?”
“Well, no. First, he asked me out again.” I explained about the many flowers and fruit baskets. “I keep thinking he’ll give up, but this gift today….”
We both looked at the orchid and the extravagantly expensive bowl.
“Well, he’s committed. I’ll give him that,” Dina said.
Her sober tone had me looking at her, and it did not surprise me to see a hint of concern in her eyes. “I’m not interested in Maximus, Dina, okay?”
“Good.” Her cheeks went prettily pink, and she bit her lip before blurting out, “The guy’s got a rep. I don’t just mean that he’s a playboy, Tina. He goes through women left and right. You…that’s not who you are.”
“I know.” Taking her hand, I squeezed. “I already told you, I’m not interested. I just couldn’t refuse that bowl.”
“Well, there’s a chance he was betting on that.” She picked up the pitcher and topped our drinks off. “I doubt the guy got his rep by being scared away easily.”
“Regardless, have you ever known me to get all aflutter because some guy sent me pretty flowers?” Accepting my refilled glass, I shrugged. “He’s sexy and sharp, but I’m not into one-night stands. Right now, I’m not looking for anything, but when I do, I want something that lasts.”
“You’ll find it.” She gave me a confident smile. “You always get what you want once you decide. It’s the thing I’ve always admired about you. You don’t quit.”
She was right. I never quit, and Maximus is a distraction I don’t need. Not now or any other time. But, from what I’ve heard, he also doesn’t quit.
Seven
Maximus
“Dude, seriously?”
On the computer screen, my half-sister’s face stared out at me, the familiar setting of her office in the background.