Page 73 of Tide and Seek

I sighed, guilt eating away at me.“Fine.What exactly do you want me to say?”

Relief painted her pretty features.“Maybe tell him to fight for that promotion.Tell him he’s worth it.If you feel comfortable addressing it, maybe hint he’s drinking too much?”

“God.”I winced, watching James sway slightly.He was already drunk, and the full glass in his hand suggested he wasn’t finished for the night.I met her concerned gaze.“I’m only doing this for you.”

“I know.”She squeezed my arm.“Thank you, Maxwell.”

“And be warned, this is the last time I’m getting involved in his personal life.”

“That’s fine.”She smiled weakly.“Use my bedroom.It’s private and you’ll be able to talk there without interruptions.”

I met Royce’s enigmatic gaze.“Is this okay with you?”

“Sure.”Royce forced a smile, although it didn’t reach his eyes.“Go help your friend.”Considering what a jerk James had been to Royce when we first arrived at the party, that was very magnanimous of him.

Gut churning, I walked over to where James stood gripping the deck railing, the ocean breeze ruffling his dark hair.When he turned and saw me, his face tensed.I could see the alcohol’s effects in his slightly unfocused eyes.

“James,” I said quietly.“Can we talk?”

He looked surprised.“You want to talk?”

“Yes.”

He glanced past me to where Royce stood with C.J.“I’m surprised your boyfriend let you off your leash.”

I frowned.“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You two have been stuck like glue together all evening.It’s a party, you’re supposed to mingle,” he slurred.

“You mean like you’re doing over here alone in the dark with your drink?”

His face flushed.“It’s a party.There’s nothing wrong with having a drink or two.”

Or five?

“Look, if you don’t want to talk to me, that’s fine.C.J.wanted me to do it, or I wouldn’t have bothered you.”I started to turn away.“Enjoy the rest of the evening.”

He grabbed my arm.“Maxwell, I… I’m sorry.”

I hesitated.“Do you want to talk, or not?Royce and I are leaving the party soon.”

“Yes,” he said quickly.“I want to talk.”

I carefully pulled my arm from his grip.“C.J.said we could talk in her bedroom where it’s private.”

“Okay,” he said, his tone more docile now.

I felt stiff as I led him through C.J.’s house to her master bedroom, closing the door behind us.The room reflected the same expensive coastal aesthetic as the rest of her house, softened with warm textures that made the space feel inviting rather than austere.

The silence between us was heavy, which was sad.There’d been a time when our silences had been easy.When I’d felt like I knew and understood James better.It also felt uncomfortably intimate being alone with him in a bedroom.Considering our history, I probably should have thought of that before suggesting it, but it was too late now.

“So,” James said, settling heavily on the edge of the bed.“C.J.asked you to stage an intervention?”

“She’s worried about you.”I hesitated.“We both are.”

His laugh was tinged with bitterness.“Come on, Maxwell, don’t pretend you give a shit about me.You moved to Rainy Dale and I never even heard from you again.You did a pretty good job of pretending I didn’t exist back then.Why lie about caring now?”

I sat down in a chair next to the dresser, across from him.“You’re right,” I said quietly.“I didn’t end things well with you.I feel very guilty about that.”