Page 74 of Invisible String (The Underground #1)

RAINEY

“ W hen’s Max returning?” Lana asks with a mouthful of chocolate chip cookie in her mouth. She reaches for a napkin on the table to wipe the chocolate off her face.

“Do you want milk with that?”

Since we were kids, she always had to have milk with a chocolate chip cookie.

I unhook the apron from my neck and untie it at the waist. Today has been a slow but steady day at the café.

The new hires have been so helpful. I’ve been thinking of taking Max up on his offer.

I would like to take some college classes.

She shakes her head, so I answer her, “He’ll be back today. Not sure what time.”

“Good, you’ve been moping around.”

“And you haven’t?” I drawl, pulling a chair out next to Lana.

She side-eyes me.

“Last week, when we went out, you weren’t yourself. I figured you were just tired. Spill the tea.”

She sighs, taking a sip of her espresso. “My dad thinks I work too hard and have no life. Also, he says, he’s heard I’m not in a relationship and it’s not ladylike of me to be with different men. So he said he arranged a marriage for me.”

My eyes go the size of golf balls. “What!” I shout louder than intended. I cover my mouth when customers look my way.

“Yuppers, to a surgeon. I thought he was bluffing, but he invited him over for dinner.”

“Oh, my gosh, Lana. Your parents have also been a little over the top, but this is crazy.”

They have always been uptight. Don’t get me wrong, they’re sweet people. This is why Lana has always been rebellious.

“I know, like straight to the altar without dating. Dad said he’s mature, hardworking man, and would make our family look good,” she says it sarcastically.

“How is he?”

“Oh, he’s hot as hell, older than me by five years, polite. He has a great job. We have that in common.”

“But?” I say when her eyes drop to her cup.

“I’m not into him. I don’t think. I didn’t feel any chemistry between us at dinner.

He was staring at me the whole time. He’s funny and smart and invited me out to dinner to get to know one another before marriage.

I accepted since he was sweet at the dinner table.

I did it for him, not to please my parents.

After the first date, I could tell we have no chemistry. ”

“I have so many questions. Is your dad for real? He can’t do that. Is he holding something against you? And if you say he’s hot as hell and you both have a lot in common, then what’s the problem besides the lack of instant chemistry? Are you seeing someone?” I say in a full breath.

God, I’m stressed, and it’s not me they are trying to marry off to.

“He’s holding money over my head. I asked him if he could pay for my tuition if I go back to school to be a surgeon.

He said yes. Toby is nice. I like him, but I’m not sure if I want to marry him.

He’s a straight-laced type of guy.” She shrugs.

“Who knows, maybe I’ll fall for him. To answer your next question.

I’m not seeing anyone, but I can’t stop thinking of the guy I slept with at work.

That was instant chemistry. If I was in a room of men blindfolded, I’d know it was him by the way his body felt.

Muscle memory. If he slid in me, I’d know it was him by how he felt inside me. He fit perfectly.”

My best friend has never been the type to jump from man to man. She’s trying to find the one. I have a feeling she’ll give in to marry Toby if she doesn’t find this mystery man.

“Lana,” I gasp.

“I know I have it down bad.” Lana groans. “This is why I agreed to go on a date with Toby, to distract myself from a man who doesn’t want me.”

“His loss, but maybe there’s a reason behind it.”

“Maybe. Enough about my drama. Tell me, anything I need to know? Am I an aunt yet?” She laughs.

“No, I’m not pregnant, but what if I tell you I want it all with Max? I want to carry his babies. Marriage.”

Lana’s beautiful smile lights up the place. “I would tell you I’m happy for you. Max has brought that light out in you these past months. You’re living life. Max filled that space in you. He’s mended your shattered heart.”

His love has healed me. Every day, I fall deeper.

“Thank you for being my rock.”

Lana waves a hand at me. “Stop it. That’s what friends are for.”

“On another note, I took Max’s father to rehab, and Max doesn’t know.” I bite my lip. I needed to spill it to someone.

“Ney, no secrets between you two. Things are going good.”

Lana doesn’t know much about Max’s life, it’s not my story to tell. But I did kinda mention to her years back that his dad hit him.

“I showed up at his dad’s house. Met him for the first time.

Yelled at him, told him things that pierced his soul.

Took a baseball bat with me just in case.

He cried. It was heartbreaking. Then I took him to rehab.

I didn’t want Max to know until he’s sober.

I need to know this man will not relapse. ”

Lana covers her hand over mine. “Oh, I see. That’s sweet of you. You’re doing all in good heart. How long will he be there?”

“Three to four months, give or take. He has to go through a lot of therapy. Since I’m the only one he knows.

I’m in charge of him.” My hand goes to my chest, soothing the heaviness in my heart.

“He hurt Max and took out his grieving pain on his son when he lost his wife,” I tell Lana without saying too much.

“He loved her. Loves her. The way he spoke about her, the guilt he had in his eyes. Softens my angry heart. But here’s the thing, should I feel sympathy for him? After all he’s done?”

“Honey, life is full of mistakes. No one in this world is perfect. There are people who do not deserve forgiveness, but that all depends on what they have done. If Max still has contact with his father after what he has done, I’m sure there might be more to the story.

I know you respect Max’s privacy. And if he forgives him and sympathizes with him, then why should you hold a grudge?

Follow your heart. If Max’s father cleans up and he and Max start a path to a father-son relationship, then it’s best you let go of the anger.

I’m sure when Max finds out his father is in rehab, that’s something you two can talk over. ”

I nod in agreement. We talk for a few more minutes, then Lana heads to work.

I have been holding off from speaking to my father for some time.

He’s called me several times, leaving messages to apologize for our last dinner fight.

I’m upset he attempted to pay Max off all those years ago.

It’s time I confronted him. He needs to know I love Max and I’m not letting Max go.

He needs to stop being so judgmental about himself.

My father needs to get over it. I swing my purse over my shoulder and let my staff know I’ll be right back.

Max

We just drove back from Utah two hours ago. I dropped Xander at his place, then went home. Rainey was already gone for work. Once I showered, I went to the bakery to check on how everything was going. It seems Leo and my assistants have been keeping everything in place.

“Where are you going?” Leo calls out, standing at the foot of my office door.

“I need to go see my girl and run an errand.”

“I had coffee with Rainey the other day,” he says nonchalantly.

I lift my head from the stack of paperwork with a raised brow. “You did?”

“Don’t get so jealous, although we could be family soon.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “What are you talking about?”

“While we were chatting—by the way, I love Rainey. I can see why you’re so protective of her.

Anyway, her sister FaceTimed. Fuck, she’s beautiful.

Rainey introduced me. She kept her eyes on me, more like eye fucking me.

The crazy part is that she’s dating some dude.

He came home from work and said hi to Rainey. He seems like a stuck-up snob.”

My brows are skyrocketing. Leo’s into Rainey’s sister? He has a dreamy look on his face.

“Oh,” he adds. “Rainey was like, he has such a hot accent. She whispered it to her sister.”

Hot accent.

My jaw clenches with jealousy. Do I need to fuck her in a what is it…a French accent? For God’s sake, Max, get a hold of yourself.

“You’re crinkling the papers. We need those.” Leo groans. “I know how you feel. Do you think we should end him?” He gestures to his neck.

“No,” I say, straightening out the papers. “Rainey is my woman. You’ll have to get over the sister.”

I walk past him, rushing out the door. Before I see Rainey, I need to stop at her fucked-up father’s office. Let’s hope I don’t run into Andrew. I’ll have his head up his ass. I can’t stand that motherfucker.

The attorney’s office buzzes with activity, resembling an anthill in full preparation for winter.

Associates scurry between cubicles, each dressed in crisp, tailored suits, their polished shoes tapping rhythmically against the hardwood floors.

Legal assistants huddle over stacks of documents, their fingers flying over keyboards, while paralegals shuffle through files.

It must suck to work here.

“Sir, can I help you?” a woman asks, staring up at me with wide eyes. “Are you Master of Disaster? Max Cano?”

I nod. “I am. I’m here to see Rowan Collins.”

“My husband is a fan.”

“Great. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to Rowan’s office.”

She stumbles out of her chair. “Sir, you can’t do that.”

“I’ll get your husband tickets if you keep quiet.”

That shuts her up. She nods, and I turn, walking toward Rowan’s large office. It’s tucked far down the hall.

“You’re beautiful, darlin’,” a male voice says on the other side of the door. It has to be Rowan. Who else? “We need to keep hiding.”

“Why? She’s dead,” a woman’s voice rasps.

“Don’t talk about my wife like that. I know she’s gone, and you know I loved you both. I had to hide from my kids. I’m a selfish man. I needed you both.”

What a bastard. This must be the same woman he had had an affair with all these years.