He frowned at her. “And that’s the problem.”
Before she could reply, he gestured at his friends. “Maxie, meet Derek and Kade, my partners and best friends.”
Which explained why they looked familiar. She’d seen them in the news with him.
“And I’m Lexie,” a pretty brunette said, coming up behind them and pushing between the men. “Sorry. I was on the phone outside but I’m here now.”
“Nice to meet you all.” Overwhelmed, Maxie managed a smile. “Come on in.”
The men took charge of the furniture, while she and Lexie headed to the bedroom. As they packed and worked, she learned more about how Lexie and Kade had met when she’d come to work for him as his personal assistant. Apparently Kade was a pain in the ass in the workplace, but Lexie had held her own with the man.
The other woman was warm, friendly, and brutally honest. About how much she loved her husband and how he’d been there for her when she had problems with her bipolar sister. Within an hour, Maxie felt a kinship with Lexie and wanted to get to know her even better.
Maxie also learned about the problem the men had had with an ex-friend and former business partner who had almost derailed the IPO by blackmailing Kade. And how he’d used her sister in the process. Maxie was in shock. She had no idea what they’d all gone through. Maybe because after she’d lost the baby, Keith had cut off all contact with his brother and insisted Maxie do the same.
With depression blanketing her, she’d barely been able to focus on herself, let alone friendships. When she’d been strong enough, Maxie had tried to leave Keith, but he’d held cards that prevented her from walking out. She’d unhappily stayed, knowing she was protecting Lucas in the process.
He didn’t know and she didn’t plan on enlightening him. He already hated his brother. With Keith gone, she didn’t need to deepen the wounds.
“I assume you’re taking everything in here with you?” Lexie asked loudly from the walk-in closet, where she was boxing shoes. One thing Maxie loved about this Manhattan apartment, it had amazing-sized closets.
Maxie nodded, then realized the other woman couldn’t see. “Yes. Clothes, shoes, all going upstairs.”
“What about this box?” Lexie stepped out of the closet with a large carton in her hand, and Maxie’s breath caught in her throat.
Lexie held a box of baby things that Maxie had kept hidden from Keith. She should have been prepared; after all, it was never far from her mind, but the move had consumed her thoughts. A welcome distraction from the pain of loss. Keith had thrown out everything he could get his hands on in the days afterward, angry at Maxie for losing his son.
No matter what the doctor said, Keith had blamed her for doing too much. For not taking care of herself. He didn’t want any reminders but she did. He’d had no idea she’d kept things with the most sentimental meaning.
Lexie had placed the box on the bed, and Maxie lifted the cardboard top, picking up a stuffed lamb and holding the soft fur to her cheek. The box also contained, among other things, a blue baby blanket with a satin edge and the crib mobile she’d fallen in love with when she’d gone shopping with her friends.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Lexie said, walking up beside her. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.”
Maxie met her gaze. “Thank you. It’s been… beyond painful.” She gingerly placed the lamb back in the box. “Can you hand me some tape? I’m going to put this in storage,” she said, forcing the words past her tight throat.
“Sure.” Lexie handed her the packing dispenser.
The other woman respected her silence and obvious need to be alone with her thoughts, and for a little while, she and Lexie worked quietly, boxing up clothes and piling them into labeled boxes.
Maxie looked up from where she was kneeling on the floor. “I appreciate you spending your Saturday helping a stranger,” she said, tired of the silence.
“Oh, I don’t mind. I’m happy to be here. Besides, Lucas thinks the world of you. He wouldn’t have rounded us all up to help otherwise.”
Maxie’s cheeks grew warm at the mention of Lucas’ feelings. Probably because she knew how strongly she felt for him and how impossible a relationship between them still was.
“Lucas is a good man,” Lexie went on.
“The best,” Maxie agreed.
“Maxie?”
She jerked at the sound of her name and realized Lucas was standing in the doorway. From his tone and the pained look on his face, he’d obviously overheard her confession.
“I… umm…”
“I’m going to see if Kade needs help,” Lexie said, jumping to her feet, clearly realizing they needed to talk. With an awkward glance at Maxie, Lexie slipped out of the room and Lucas strode in.
Suddenly the decent-sized bedroom felt smaller with just the two of them in it.