Page 288 of The Skeikh's Games

“Wow,” said Marisa, “This place is amazing. So this is where you’ve been hiding out lately?”

“Just until I find my own apartment,” said April. Just thinking about leaving Max made her stomach clench up, but she tried not to betray her regret.

“Max,” said Tracey, “You’re a real hero for letting April stay with you. I heard about what happened with Brian. That was some crazy stuff.”

Max waved it off and changed the subject. “Can I get you ladies some wine?”

“The man speaks my language,” said Marisa.

As Max got up to fetch the wine from the kitchen, Marisa eyed April intensely.

“What?” said April.

“Well? Are you guys a thing or what?”

“No,” said April hurriedly. “Don’t be ridiculous! It’s complicated. There are a lot of things to consider here, not least of which that I’ve only just broken off my engagement with Brian. Besides, I’m not sure if Max is all that into me anyway. I mean, he hasn’t said anything.”

“This doesn’t seem that complicated to me. It seems like two people in love who don’t have the guts to tell each other.”

“It’s not that simple,” whispered April from across the table.

Just then Max reappeared from the kitchen and the conversation switched gears again.

They spent the evening laughing and telling stories like old friends and by the end of the evening, Marisa and Tracey were both completely and utterly charmed by the man. April smiled to herself at how well they all got along and how casually Max handled being the only man in a group of four.

At the end of the night, as Tracy and Marisa were leaving, Marisa said, “We better do this again, even after you find that place, April. This man is too much fun not to have around.”

“Deal,” said Max, kissing them both on the cheek and seeing them out.

After they had watched Tracey’s car disappear at the end of the long driveway, Max turned to her. “Thanks for letting me crash your ladies’ night,” he said.

“Are you kidding me? They loved you. They’re going to expect a sexy former-marine at all out ladies nights from now on.” The words were out of her mouth before she could retrieve them, she cringed at her own faux pas and then considered if she should just come out and tell him how she felt about him while her tongue was still loosened by the wine.

No, she told herself. Don’t you go ruining a perfect evening.

Luckily Max saved her by changing the subject.

“Listen,” he said. “About your house hunt. Take your time on that, okay?”

His eyes were sincere, but as always, impossible to read.

Don’t tell me that, Max. If it were up to me, I’d stay here with you forever.

8

It took April three weeks to find a new apartment, not for lack of trying. Eventually she found a place close to the city center and the offices where she worked. During those three weeks, there had been moments where she felt that she had found what she had always been searching for with Max out at his ranch. He never made any sort of advance towards her, but he was the kindest man she’d ever met. At times, she felt the air around them sizzle with electricity, and yet both of them seemed content to ignore the feelings passing between them. After all, it wouldn’t be right. Would it?

On the evening that her new lease was e-mailed to her by the owner, she bought a bottle of champagne and met Max out on his ranch. He had taken the night off and was sitting out on the front porch watching out over the cattle grazing beside a stream.

“I have good news,” said April.

“Is that a fact?” said Max, smiling.

“Yup, hold on.” She went to the kitchen and returned with two champagne flutes. As she set them down on the porch’s balustrade, she noticed that instead of feeling excited for the new road ahead of her, she only felt regret. She popped the cork into the field laid out before them and poured each of them a glass.

“What are we celebrating?” asked Max, taking his glass from her.

“I found myself an apartment,” said April. Max’s eyes became downcast, but he smiled anyway.

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