Page 5 of Tide and Seek

“You’re not the sort of man who’d spring for anything so extravagant as first class.”I shrugged.“But I am.”

“How extravagant are we talking?”

I winced, not sure if telling him the truth would be better or worse.But he could always just look it up online.“My best guess is coach would be about a thousand less than first class.”

His cheek twitched.“For such a short flight?”

“Last time I checked, that’s what it was.”

He didn’t look pleased at that comment as he rumbled, “When was the last time you checked, Max?”

I put my hand on his arm.“Ages ago.I glanced at tickets when we were, you know, having issues.Not since.I swear.But odds are the prices have gone up, if anything, not down.”

“Hmmm.”He scowled at the floor.

I sighed at how disgruntled he looked.“Come on, Royce, don’t be like that.”I gave him what I hoped was a cajoling smile.“Let me treat you.You’ve given me a place to stay so many times.And you’ve done so many nice things for me.Plus, you’re doing me a favor by coming with me.”

“I’m not doing you a favor,” he grumbled.“I’m coming with you because I want to.”

“Okay.”I wracked my brain for how to get that surly expression off his face.“Even so, you have to take time off, and traveling is a hassle.Let me spoil you a little.I want to do this.”

Some of his irritation seemed to fade.“I don’t love the idea of you spending that much money on me.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, really.”

I scowled.“You bought me acarfor Christmas.I got you a bottle of cologne.How come that’s okay, but I can’t do this for you?”

He gave a sheepish grimace.“I don’t know.It was a used car.I didn’t buy you a brand new BMW or anything.”

“Even so, I should be allowed to do things for you too.”

He sighed.“I get what you’re saying, Max, but a first-class ticket probably costs as much, if not more, than the car I bought you.I got a good deal on that car.”

“I still say it’s not fair that you can spend money on me, but I can’t do the same for you.Coming with me to LA is a big hassle.I want you to know I appreciate that you’d even do that for me.”

“I don’t have to be rewarded for doing the bare minimum.”

I frowned.“It’s not the bare minimum.It’s above and beyond.Most importantly, I want you with me.I’d pay ten times that amount to have you come with me to LA.Please, let me do this.I have the money, Royce—you know I do.”

His stubborn expression slipped slightly.“Am I being too prideful?”

“I think you are,” I said softly.

He let out a shaky breath, a line creasing his brow.“I don’t mean to add more stress to you by being stubborn.”

“Then forget about the money, please?Let’s go to LA and… you know… squeeze some lemons.”

His smile was affectionate as he relented.“Okay, Max.Let’s go make some lemonade.”

Chapter Two

Royce

The next day, Max and I flew to LA.Girdy was kind enough to take Grumpy for me while I accompanied Max.It still stuck in my craw a bit that Max was paying for a first-class ticket for me, but I decided to let it go.No use fixating on the money when money didn’t mean that much to Max.I didn’t want my pride to ruin what could potentially be a wonderful bonding experience.

Despite me balking at the idea of Max springing for my first-class ticket, I had to admit, flying first-class was a much nicer way to take to the skies.The stewardesses were definitely more attentive than in coach.I guess for a grand more they ought to be.Because ours was a late-afternoon flight, we were served dinner.I had steak and veggies, with a baked potato and a glass of really nice red wine.Max had their vegetarian option of wild mushroom risotto, garnished with microgreens and edible flowers for an elegant touch.He also had a glass of wine, and we both had lemon sorbet for dessert.All in all, I felt very pampered.