Page 272 of The Maxwell Brothers
“Thanks for being so quick,” he said. “Great service, especially considering how full the place is. Any special event?”
“Yeah, the mayor’s birthday. What can I get you three?”
“Another round of beers for these two and soda for me,” Luke said.
"So, are you going to tell us why you bought this land in the first place?” Sam asked once the waiter headed to the bar. “It’s not big enough to build a hotel, which was my first thought.”
“I bought it for myself. Thought it was a great place to build a house—you know, raise a family when the time comes.”
I was too stunned to reply.
Sam blinked rapidly, turning to me and opening his mouth before closing it again and focusing back on Luke. “What’s going on? I’m gone for a couple years and everyone in the family develops a different personality?”
“He bought the property before you left,” I pointed out. I was as shocked as Sam though. Luke was very much like me, Travis, and Sam in that he dated casually.
Come to think of it, he had been in a relationship when he bought the property. Had it been more serious than he’d let on?
“So why are you renting it out, then?” Sam asked.
“I like living in the city. Don’t know what I was thinking, imagining I could live out here. Can we change the subject?”
Sam patted his arm. “A very heavy-handed hint that there’s more to it, but I’ll let it slide for now. I’m not sure I’m ready for the actual story. I’ve had enough surprises today.”
“Consider the subject changed,” I said. “Luke, I need to ask you something. Do you know a realtor named Andreas Reading?"
"He's a damn good one. Clients of mine have worked with him. Why?"
"He's the one helping Liz find the space for her bakery, and so far hasn't found her anything that works."
“How friendly are you with Liz now?” Sam asked.
“Very. Turns out he’s crazy about her,” Luke filled him in. “But back to the bakery. Finding a place that checks all the boxes isn’t easy. But if anyone can find it, it’s him.”
“Thanks for vetting him. Just wanted to make sure she's in good hands."
“Jesus!” Sam exclaimed. “I really need to get back into the WhatsApp group. I’m missing out on all the fun.”
“You’re the one who wanted out,” I said. He’d claimed it took away from his focus because we messaged constantly. Which was true.
Luke sat lower on the bench, putting his arms up on the backrest.
"She's got you by the balls, hasn't she?" He had a sly grin.
I looked him straight in the eyes. "I wanted to make sure she's taken care of, that’s all, smartass.”
“You're evading the question, so yes, she does. That’s good. She’s good for you. You were starting to sound like a broken record, citing divorce numbers whenever someone brought up marriage,” Luke said.
“The numbers don’t lie,” I replied.
“True, but you were turning into a cynic. Damn. Travis was right.”
“About what?"
"When we helped you move in, youwereterritorial.” Turning to Sam, he added, "He warned us all not to flirt with her.”
Sam grinned. “Imagine the headlines: ‘Declan Maxwell finally brought to his knees by his feisty neighbor, who drove him crazy listening to music in the middle of the night.’"
An image flashed in my mind of Liz in her tight workout clothes, sweat dotting her neck and temples. Fuck, she was delicious.
