The Rivals - Dylan Allen Page 0,453

to let you know it stinks.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Arguing with me right now isn’t helping, Max.”

“I’m not arguing with you.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Just because you don’t have your back up doesn’t mean you’re not arguing.”

“There is nothing to argue about. Unless of course you’re going to tell me that you’ve changed your mind about moving to London. Otherwise, I’m walking on sunshine.”

“You are so irritating,” I huff.

He strokes my cheek and chuckles. “Well, you must like irritating ‘cause you’ve been saying that since the night we met and yet, here you are.”

“I’m a fool.” I mutter.

“It’s called fate, darling and there’s no escaping it.”

Fate is a whimsical luxury I’ve never afforded myself before. Everything I have is by design. From my last name to my youngest child, I’ve never left anything to chance.

But Max has turned my entire existence upside down. He takes my hand in his and strokes each of my fingers while he talks to me. “Tina, I get it. I showed up unannounced and today is about your family. We'll ease into it. I'm a friend from London you took pity on and invited along so I wouldn’t spend Christmas eve alone."

I smile gratefully at him but shake my head. “You deserve better than that.”

“I have you. Everything else is negotiable. Come on. Let's go inside. I'll meet them today and you can tell them everything when it's more private."

I agree and link my arm through his and walk into the arena.

The home Hayes Rivers shares with his wife and baby son is modest compared to the sprawling home he grew up in. But it’s lovely. The air is scented with cinnamon and cloves. Every surface – from the banisters of their winding staircase to the door handles is covered in sparkling tulle, evergreen wreaths studded with lights, and huge red, gold and white ornaments.

Once we’re past the attendant at the door who takes our coats, I remember what else I needed to tell him. “My ex-husband is here with his new wife.” I whisper.

Max blinks down at me in complete shock. “Anything else I need to know?”

I wince, “Sorry, honestly I’d forgotten until just now.”

He grimaces. “I’m going to find the bar and get us some drinks. Wait right here.” He squeezes my hand and then he slips away before I can protest.

“Mrs. Wilde, hi!” A vaguely familiar looking woman waves at me from across the foyer. I wave back, and she starts my way. As she gets closer, I realize it’s Remi’s PI, Dina. I’ve never seen her outside of work. She’s wears the most unflattering slacks and button-down shirts and a pair of black boots that look like something her father might have worn while he served in the Korean War.

But tonight, her normally unruly dark curls are blown into sleek straight submission, and she’s wearing a black cocktail dress that hugs her very lovely figure. Her face is made up tastefully and I never realized what beautiful eyes and skin she had before. “Wow. I didn’t recognize you. You look…beautiful.”

“Uh-.oh, Ummm, okay,” she blinks at me and tucks a lock of her dark hair behind her ears.

I frown at her. “The appropriate response is thank you.”

“I know…but you’ve never paid me a compliment before, I just. Thank you.” Her eyes dart away from me and then widen in surprise before she gasps and covers her mouth.

“Whatever is the matter, now?” I ask and look over my shoulder. All I see is Max on his way back, empty handed.

“Oh my God,” she gasps.

Max touches my side and I smile in question. “Are you okay? Where are the drinks?”

“Oh my God, you know Maxwell Priest,” Dina squeals. She’s practically bouncing on her heels.

Max laughs. “It sounds like you know me, too?” he responds amiably.

She sticks her hand out to shake his. “I saw you in the production of La Vie Boehme on Drury Lane.”

“You did?" Max laughs in surprise and takes her proffered hand. “That was one of those shows that had ten people in the audience on a good night.”

Her laugh is giddy with excitement. “I was one of those ten people. I only went because I was with a friend whose cousin was worked at the theatre. I didn’t even have a program, but I grabbed one at intercession and so I could find out who you were. You were incredible.”

He nods his head in appreciation. “Thank you.”

If he’s flustered by the attention, he doesn’t show