Page 69 of Tide and Seek

“Okay, everyone, let’s not all gang up on Maxwell,” C.J.said suddenly, clearly sensing the conversation was heading toward disaster.“He’s living in Texas now, which must be a very interesting contrast to Malibu, right Maxwell?”

I nodded obediently, grateful she was trying to run interference for me.Being a traditional doctor was apparently like waving a red flag in front of a bull to these woo-woo types.River would have gotten along with them beautifully, which was not a positive in my eyes.

“Oh my God, Texas,” Sage said with genuine sympathy.“All that masculine energy and oil drilling.No wonder you seem so blocked.Have you considered a colon cleanse?I know an amazing practitioner who uses coffee enemas to—”

“I think I need some air,” I said abruptly, turning on my heel and practically fleeing toward the deck with Royce close behind me.

Once outside, Royce murmured, “That went well.”

I couldn’t help laughing, which helped.“I felt like a ball of string at a cat convention.”

“They did kind of zero in on you.”

“Why didn’t they pick on you too?”

He smirked.“Maybe my pure and honorable aura discouraged them.”

“Pfft.”I smiled.“You may be honorable, but you’re not that pure.”

“Thank goodness.”

The deck was spacious and beautifully lit with string lights, offering a perfect view of the dark ocean.Several people were out on the deck, including James who stood near the railing with a cocktail in his hand, and Luke who was hunched over a plate of food at one of the high-top tables.

Among the group outside, I was surprised to recognize my home insurance agent, Jane Martinez.She was an attractive, full-figured woman in her fifties, with short, cropped dark hair.

When she spotted me, she approached with a warm smile.“Max, fancy meeting you here.”She looked refreshingly normal in simple black pants and a blue blouse, with not a bangle or dangling crystal earring in sight.

“I forgot you know C.J.,” I said.

“Oh, yeah.I insure her home, her cars, and her new yoga studio.”She grinned and made a cha-ching sound.“She’s also a good friend.”

“I think C.J.is best friends with everyone in Malibu,” I said.“This is Royce, my partner.”

“Nice to meet you, Royce.”Jane nudged my elbow.“Never pictured you with a sexy macho type, Max.You’re just full of surprises.”

Royce’s face seemed a little rosy at her description of him, but all he said was, “It’s nice to meet you, Jane.”

“Thanks for all your help with the insurance paperwork,” I said.Royce and I had finally managed to do the inventory on the beach house and had sent it off to her.

“Of course.Actually, I was hoping to set up an appointment with you for tomorrow.”

I frowned.“But I don’t think anything was stolen.”

She grimaced.“We do have the original appraisals for your medical collection on file, but they’re several years old now.Given the recent break-in attempt, I strongly recommend updating your policy.Collections like that often appreciate in value, and they’re far harder to replace than a TV or laptop.”

“Oh.Well, I was going to put them in storage for safekeeping.I shouldn’t have left them in the house to begin with.I didn’t realize I was going to stay in Rainy Dale.”I met Royce’s gaze, and he smiled.

Jane smiled at our quiet interaction.“Naturally, putting your collection in storage would help mitigate risk, but you’ll still want to keep them insured.Storage units can be broken into too.”

I frowned.“I guess that’s true.”I turned to Royce.“Do you mind if I meet with Jane tomorrow?”

“Of course not.I can amuse myself while you’re gone.”He gave me a reassuring smile.

“Okay.”I met Jane’s gaze.“What time were you thinking?Wait—do you work on Saturdays?”

“Not usually.”She laughed.“But you’re only here a short while, and next week is crazy for me.I want to be sure we get you in.”

“Well, if you’re sure.”