Page 12 of Maximum
“Ye’re a real nature child then, aren’t ye?”
I laughed. “Growing up in Africa, I certainly didn’t know something like this existed.” I waved my hand toward the grand castle, once again admiring the old-world charm of the place. Liam and I spoke about his upbringing in Ireland and I answered more of his questions until Maximum came jogging toward us.
“What’s wrong?” Liam asked.
“Nothing. We just worried that you two had gotten lost. You’ve been gone for a long time.” Maximum looked like someone out of a magazine in his fancy suit.
“Have we?” It couldn’t have been more than half an hour, but we changed course and walked back to the wedding party, where people were still mingling and talking on the front lawn.
“So, what were you two talking about for so long?” Maximum asked.
“Fleur told me about growing up barefoot in the bush with tribal people.”
“Yes, I’ve read her biography on her website,” Maximum revealed without looking at me. “It sounds extraordinary.”
“Ye’ll have to excuse me. I have to use the jacks before we go to dinner.” Liam gave me a smile and patted Maximum’s shoulder before he walked off.
“River said she saw you and Liam together,” Maximum said as if he had to explain himself for coming to find us.
I looked after Liam as I answered. “He’s very nice.”
“He’s younger than me.”
“Really? I wouldn’t have guessed it.”
Maximum squinted a little from the sun. “River said that you prefer older men.”
“Did she now?” I smiled and walked on.
“Wait.”
Stopping, I turned and met Maximum’s eyes.
“You said that you had some conditions that you wanted to discuss with me before you made your decision.”
It suddenly felt very hot and I struggled to keep eye contact, feeling slightly uncomfortable with my next words. “I’ve thought about it and I can find only one positive thing about you coming with me.”
Maximum stepped closer. “And what is that?”
“My ex-husband, Pierre, knows I’m coming home.” I chose my next words carefully. “He’s having trouble accepting my decision to leave him and from the messages I’ve received I can tell he’s hoping for a reunion.”
Maximum frowned but didn’t interrupt me.
“Would you play along if I led him to believe that I was in a new relationship?”
Maximum’s eyes lit up. “Of course!”
“Good. Then I think I’ll talk to Liam about it. He seemed very friendly and probably wouldn’t mind helping me with a few photos.”
“What photos? What are you talking about?”
“If Pierre gives me trouble, I’ll tell him that I’m with someone else and if he doesn’t believe me, I’ll show him a photo. What I need you to do is confirm my story. I’m not sure it’ll work because Pierre is very persistent, but it would be lovely if telling him I’m with another man will finally make Pierre back off.”
“Why can’t you just say that you’re in a relationship withme?”
My hand touched Maximum’s elbow. “Oh, that’s so sweet of you to offer, but that’s way too complicated. With you accompanying me, we’d have to pretend in person and that’s much harder than pointing to a photo. All I’m asking is that you corroborate my story if the subject comes up.”
Crossing his arms, Maximum leaned back on his heels with a stubborn expression.
