Page 18 of Tide and Seek

“He did seem very obliging,” Max said.

“He is,” C.J.agreed.“Do you remember how Carlos used to give us dirty looks if we asked him to spray under the deck?Ethan does it without me even asking.”

“That’s above and beyond.”Max glanced in the direction Ethan had disappeared.“Carlos hated his job and it was obvious.He didn’t even bother hiding it.”

C.J.cackled.“Carlos and Mrs.Brownstone used to get along really well.Wonder why that is?Did they bond over being assholes?”

Max chuckled.“Probably.”

I smiled.“Well, it’s good that Ethan took over then.Seems like a good guy.”

“He’s wonderful.”She glanced distractedly at the smartwatch on her slender wrist and her eyes bugged.Leaping out of her chair, she exclaimed, “Oh, shit, I’m late for a new client meeting.What a great way to make a horrible impression.”

“It was nice meeting you, C.J.,” I said politely.

“You too, Royce.”She bent down and kissed Max’s cheek.“And Max, it’s so good to see you again.How about I plan a celebratory BBQ for the night after tomorrow?I’ll invite James and Luke and we’ll make a party of it.Get the old gang back together.”

Max didn’t look thrilled at the idea.His expression was more resigned than anything.“You don’t have to go to any trouble, C.J.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” she said cheerfully.“Who doesn’t love an excuse to have a party, right?”

“Oh yes.I just love to party,” Maxwell deadpanned, and she slapped his arm, laughing.

“Good luck with your new client,” I said.

“Thanks.See you boys later.”She fluttered her fingers and walked down the steps that led to the beach, crossing over the sand to the stairs that led up to her home.Once she was on her own patio, she gave yet another friendly wave and disappeared inside her beach house.

“She seems really nice,” I said, setting my empty coffee mug on the table.

“C.J.is the best.”Max sounded uncharacteristically enthusiastic.“She’s always the same.I worried maybe I’d have nothing to talk about with her after such a long absence, but she was just as warm as always.”

“Her energy reminded me of a mature Girdy.”I laughed.

He wrinkled his brow.“Yes, I can see that.They both know how to make a person feel welcome.”

“That’s it exactly.”

He stood, brushing off the seat of his pants.“Shall we take a walk on the beach before we call about renting a car?”

“Absolutely.I’d love to go for a walk and get the old blood pumping.”I rose, looking out over the wide, expansive beach in both directions.“This view is something else, Max.”

“I’ve never once regretted buying this house.”He moved toward the stairs that led down to the beach.

“Should I go put on a shirt?”I asked, glancing down at my bare torso.I was pale compared to the few people I’d seen wander by on the private beach.Even C.J.had sported a nice, golden tan.

“Why bother?”Max’s gaze wandered over my bare chest with a glint of admiration.“It’s a beach.Not wearing a shirt is the norm.”

“But, you’re wearing a shirt.”

Max’s lips twitched.“Well, we can remedy that.”He reached down and began unbuttoning his shirt, smirking at me.“But be warned, with both of us as pale as we are, people might think we’re lighthouses.”

I grinned.“You sure I shouldn’t put on a shirt?”

“Nope.Pale or not, you’re sexy as hell, Sheriff.”He tossed his shirt over the back of his chair and slipped his arm around my waist.“What is it the kids say?You look like a snack?”

“Is that what they say?”

“Yep.And you do.A very tasty snack.”