Page 13 of The Maxwell Brothers
“Lexi, I know. Paisley is my priority. I’d never do anything to confuse her. She’s everything to me.”
He can’t say that and expect me not to swoon.
“I can tell.”
“You and I can keep it professional.”
There was a slight edge in his voice that told me he didn’t quite believe that.
“But that doesn’t mean you can’t stay for dinner,” he added.
Hmm… here was the thing: if I stayed, I was sure to swoon some more, and that made me more susceptible to him. I couldn’t say that out loud, though. That would get us in trouble.
"I'll take you up on the invitation another time, but tonight I'm off. It was a great day. Enjoy your evening."
For the rest of the week, I skirted around Tate. I did have breakfast with them every day because he always prepared it right when I arrived, but I left before dinner.
On Wednesday, he worked from home in the morning, and I swear to God, I could feel his presence no matter where I was in the house.
Paisley and I were going to a museum, and she was taking her time choosing an outfit. I waited for her downstairs in the kitchen, leaning against the island and browsing an online foodie shop on my iPhone.
“What are you doing?” Tate asked, startling me. I hadn’t heard him come up.
“Waiting for Paisley. And using the time to search for a present for my parents. My mom was given the all clear from the doctors to add some goodies to her diet.”
“Was she sick?”
“Yes, she’s had two heart surgeries. The bills are adding up.”
“That’s why you took the job?”
I nodded. “I offered to help, but a teacher’s salary barely covers my bills. Anyway, I’m going to look for a present for them later.”
He narrowed his eyes. I tried so hard to keep eye contact, but he was wearing a white shirt, and the top button was open. I was dying to take a peek.
Eyes up, Lexi. Eyes up.
“Do they like wine?” he asked suddenly.
“Is the sun yellow? Yes, they do.”
“I can send them a special collection from Maxwell Wineries.”
My jaw dropped. “Wait… Tate Maxwell? Oh my God! You own Maxwell Wineries?”
He chuckled. “My last name didn’t give it away?”
“Honestly, I didn’t put two and two together. Until now.Wow.You’re related tothoseMaxwells.”
I’d loved their bookstores and spent a lot of time there as a teenager. The Maxwell family was something of a legend inChicago. It never occurred to me that he was one of them. Aside from the huge house, he seemed very down-to-earth, and so was Paisley.
“Umm… okay,” I recovered. “And yes, they’d love a collection. How much does that cost?”
He cocked a brow. “Nothing. Tell me their address.”
“Wow, thank you. That’s so generous. They love Maxwell Wines. So do I. They’re my favorites,” I exclaimed, feeling a bit off-kilter. I was not used to generosity. There he went, making me swoon again. He was going to spoil my parents!
He flashed me a stunning smile. He even had a twinkle in his eyes that set me on edge. My breath caught.
