Page 36 of Race to the Beach

He tried not to eavesdrop as he cleaned up their tools and unplugged the trouble light that was suspended from the hood of the car.The conversation didn’t last long.

He turned to Maxi.“I’ll give you a ride home.”

“Thanks.I’d appreciate it.”

Just then his phone rang.He held up a finger to Maxi for her to wait.When he saw it was from Maxi’s aunt, he was confused.He pressed the phone to his ear.

“Hello.”

“Owen, I was wondering if you’re available for dinner?”Bonnie rushed on.“I made too much food for just Maxi and myself.You’d be doing me a favor.”

“Uh…” He did want to have dinner with Maxi.It would give their story about being a couple more credibility.Although, he wasn’t so sure about having a chaperone.It would mean they’d have to be careful what they said in front of her aunt.He knew Bonnie was a part of the gossip chain on the island.Still, it would be odd for him to turn down the invitation.“That would be nice.Thank you.”

“I’ll see you in a little bit.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

After he hung up, Maxi gave him a strange look.“Is everything all right?”

He nodded.“At least I think so.It was your aunt.”

“My aunt?What did she want?”

“She invited me to dinner.”

Maxi’s blue eyes widened.“And you accepted?”

“What else was I supposed to do?We’re supposed to be a couple.Usually when relationships are new, people want to spend all of their time together.It would have been a little strange if I had turned her down.”

“But we’re not a real couple.”Her voice rose in frustration.

“Shh…” He glanced over his shoulder to make sure none of his family was around to overhear them.He could see that Maxi was having big doubts about this arrangement.“Fine.I’ll call her back and tell her I can’t make it.”

Maxi was quiet for a moment, as though thinking over his suggestion.When he pulled the phone from his pocket, she said, “Don’t.It’s only one dinner.How bad can it be?Let’s go.”

While she moved to the driveway, he turned off the lights and locked up the garage.This was going to be an interesting dinner.He just wondered if Maxi could get through it without telling her aunt the truth about their relationship.

He would be back soon.

Maxi had showered and then proceeded to change her outfit a few times now.After Owen had dropped her off at her aunt’s house, he drove to his place to grab a shower.And now he would be back anytime.

She’d actually enjoyed herself while working on the car with Owen.While he had input into what should be done to the car, he respected that she was the expert.She didn’t rub it in his face.She liked having someone to bounce ideas off of.She hadn’t had that since her father was alive.There was a pang in her heart as she thought of him.She missed their brainstorming sessions.

By the end of the day, she’d had an easy rapport with Owen.The truth of the matter was that she was looking forward to having dinner with him.It would give them a chance to talk about anything other than the car.

As her nerves began to set in, she started to wish her aunt hadn’t invited him to dinner.In fact, she was surprised by her aunt’s actions.This was pretty bold, even for her aunt.

Maxi knew she’d promised Owen she would keep the details of the arrangement quiet, but she couldn’t keep her aunt in the dark.In fact, she was going to tell her aunt the truth right now.Maxi opened her bedroom door and rushed down the steps.She’d just reached the bottom step when the doorbell rang.

She inwardly sighed.It was Owen.If she didn’t know better, she’d think he knew what she was about to do, and he’d shown up in time to stop her.

Maxi called out, “I’ll get the door.”

“Thanks,” Aunt Bonnie said.“Dinner’s ready.”

Maxi opened the door.She opened her mouth to tell him that she couldn’t keep up the charade—even if it meant he would back out of helping her repair the car.But those words got lost somewhere between her brain and her lips.All she could think was how handsome Owen looked.His short dark brown hair was still damp from his shower.He wore a casual light-blue button down with short sleeves, dark jeans, and white sneakers.

“Are you going to invite me in?”Owen’s words jarred her from her thoughts.

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