Page 102 of The Forbidden Trio

But would she? She truly wasn’t certain how she’d respond, or what could go wrong, and in what way. The closer she got to telling Max she wanted to do it, the more frightened she became. But wasn’t that kind of the point? If the fear weren’t so huge, then she wouldn’t need to overcome it so badly.

“Okay,” she said, picking up her wine glass and taking a sip. “I’m going to do it. I’ll tell Max this weekend.”

“I think this is a good thing, Aster. And you know I’m always here if you need me.”

She smiled at her friend. “Thank you.”

“Any time.” Cassie flashed a grin. “Now, why don’t we finish off this bottle of wine and maybe another? It feels like it’s time to celebrate. Or do something totally self-destructive. Or something.”

Aster laughed. “I have a bag of potato chips and a few cupcakes I picked up on my way home today.”

“Alcohol, salt, and sugar—exactly what I need,” Cassie proclaimed.

“Me, too.”

Yes, that was perfect for tonight. But what about tomorrow? The coming weekend? The rest of her life? Aster couldn’t keep those questions from invading her mind, no matter how hard she tried to push them away. Hopefully the wine would help. And soon enough she’d see Max, and they could handle negotiations and talk about what to do if anything went wrong.

That was the part that really scared her. If she couldn’t go through with it, she knew Max would blame himself. She sure as hell would kick herself for being a wimp.

Don’t worry so much.

Excellent advice. Except she had no idea how she could possibly stop worrying until the scene was done and over with. But even then, there remained the question about the viability of a relationship with her stepbrother. It all seemed to be tied together, for some reason, as if one thing was going to dictate the outcome of the other.

She sighed.

“Cassie? Think we can open that second bottle now?”

Saturday night, and Aster was dressed and waiting at her place for Max to arrive. He’d decided they should handle negotiations where she felt safest. Not that she didn’t love her little cottage, but ‘safe’ wasn’t exactly a word she’d use to describe how she was feeling going into this discussion.

She found herself checking the time on her cell phone every few minutes as she paced the wood floors in front of her living room window. The sun hadn’t yet set, and a low mist obscured the view of the tree-lined street as a light rain fell. She wished she could dash out into the rain and have it just rinse it all away—her nerves, the pain of her past.

This is why you’re having this talk with Max tonight. He’ll help you.

She knew that. But she couldn’t get her stomach to unknot.

Finally, his car pulled into the driveway, and a new wave of tension made her shoulders lock up. She wanted to cry. But when she opened the door, he swept her right into his strong arms, stroked her hair, whispered her name and kissed her cheek until her tight muscles finally let go, and she melted into him.

“Come on, baby. Let’s go sit down.”

He led her to the sofa, keeping her hand in his.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yes. No… I don’t know.”

“We’re just talking about it tonight. Nothing has to happen—not tonight. Not ever, if that’s what you decide. It’s up to you.”

“I know. I just… this is hard, Max.”

“Of course it is. But I’m here for you. Okay?”

She nodded. “Okay. And God, I’m such a terrible hostess. Can I get you anything to drink?”

He leaned in to brush a kiss across her lips. “You don’t have to play hostess with me. In fact, I’m the one who needs to take care of you. I’m going to get us both some water. Unless you want something else?”

“I can get it,” Aster started, trying to get up, but a firm hand on her shoulder kept her in place.

“Nope. You’ll be my good girl and stay right here. Be right back.”

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