Page 37 of The Maxwell Brothers
Tate: She’s with Gran.
Figured.Early on he’d asked me if I could also work on the Fourthbecause hehad clients in town.
Lexi: Is she upset?
Tate: No. Don’t worry about anything. Focus on getting better, okay?
I did worry about disappointing her if I didn’t go back, though. And after what Tate told me about discussing dating with Paisley, I was even more confused than before. What did it mean?
My heart thundered just thinking about him.
I braced myself to take a sip of the smoothie, and to my astonishment, it wasn’t bad. It had a cooling effect on me, and swallowing didn’t hurt my ear like it had before.
I felt much better than the day before, but not enough to leave my apartment, so I settled on the couch with Netflix.
Jenny and Ella texted me a pic of them at camp, with the caption “Happy 4thof July.”
I sent them back a pic of me pouting, and they immediately called. I spent half an hour with them on the phone and then intended to rewatchReign, but midway through the first episode, I realized I wasn’t paying attention. I was thinking about Tate’s conversation with Paisley again.
Grabbing my phone, I almost texted to ask him about it, but I deleted the message. I wasn’t ready to have that conversation yet. I couldn’t trust myself not to start rambling again. What if he started saying something swoon-worthy again? I’d ramble for sure.
I didn’t know what to do. I needed advice, so I called my mom.
“Hey, sweetheart. How are you feeling?” she asked.
“Much better than yesterday.”
“Do you have any food?” she asked in a crisp voice, making me smile, reminding me of the old version of Mom, when she was younger and stronger, before her heart problems began. I was happy that she sounded more like her old self.
“Yes, I do, actually. Tate stopped by with food yesterday.”
“Tate, your employer?”
“Yes.” I hesitated a bit. “Mom, there’s something I need to tell you.”
In a rush, I told her about my attraction to Tate, that it was mutual, and I wasn’t sure what to do.
“And I don’t know if it’s even worth thinking about. I mean, I’m a teacher. Going out with a parent feels a bit wrong.” Not to mention he was my employer, but that was temporary and didn’t feel as daunting.
“Darling, I was a teacher too, so I understand where you’re coming from, but Paisley’s not a student at your school. I don’t see why that should be a problem. You’re too hard on yourself. Or is there something more?”
She could always see right through me. “I’m afraid I could fall for him, Mom. He seems a bit closed off. I think it’s because of his divorce.”
“There’s no way of knowing what you can have without taking a risk, honey.”
“I was afraid you might say that,” I said. “Maybe I needed to hear it. How are you feeling? Is Dad spoiling you?”
“Oh, yes he is. He’s been cooking up a storm lately.”
That sounded like Dad.
I spoke a bit longer with Mom before hanging up. Glancing at my phone, I realized I had messages from both Jenny and Ella. They were asking how I was feeling.
I took a picture of myself with my smoothie and fully stocked fridge and sent it in the group chat I had with both of them.
Lexi: I’m feeling better today. My off-limits but irresistible employer stopped by with food.
Jenny: He did what? Girl, I’m liking this guy.
