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Chapter 8
Sloane
After last night, I needed a girls’ night out. I’m used to hairballs on the carpet being the biggest drama in my life. This is next level stuff, and I need my girls to help me untangle my thoughts.
We meet at a somewhat upscale taco joint and immediately order margaritas. There’s four of us at the table. We take a moment to introduce ourselves. Everyone knows someone, but nobody knows everyone.
I bring Penny, then roll my eyes at her comment, “I’m surprised my chica has friends that don’t walk on four legs.”
Paige introduces Lily, who is apparently Max’s sister-in-law. They met when Lily and Grayson visited Max at the estate and immediately hit it off.
It doesn’t take long—about half a margarita—for us to be laughing like old friends. Especially when Lily shares the story of how she met Grayson and Max the first time at her coffee shop on Vincent Street.
Penny is the one who brings the topic back to me with a question. “What’s going on with you and Max?” She’s like a hound with a scent when it comes to fixing other people’s problems.
At the mention of Max, Lily does an overly dramatic double-take in my direction, her brown eyes wide with interest. She promptly sets her elbows on the table and rests her chin on her hands in a classic ready-for-the-scoop pose.
Paige dances in her seat, the alcohol clearly not stymying her curiosity. “Yes. It’s time, girl. Inquiring minds need to know.”
I signal the server for another drink, knowing I’m going to need another margarita before too long. In between bites of tacos, I summarize the last week, starting with Liam asking me to help his friend, cleaning toilets, and working in the office with Max.
I’ve just started recapping his odd request for the community library when I notice Lily making a peculiar face. She’s nodding with a knowing expression, as if his behavior makes perfect sense.
“And then I gave him my thoughts on the library, like he asked. It was all very odd.”
“After you finished in the library, did he do something else? Like go to the post office?” Lily asks.
“Yes, he did. How did you know?”
“It’s something the Hawthornes have done for generations.” She dips a chip in salsa and takes a bite, driving my need to know up the wall with her precisely timed pauses. “This is top secret stuff. You can’t tell anyone, okay?”
Everyone nods, dying to know. There’s nothing like juicy gossip about one of the wealthiest families in the country.
“Once a month, the Hawthorne family identifies a local non-profit in the area. They determine if the organization is making a positive difference in the community. If so, they send them a sizable donation.”
“That’s amazing,” Paige exclaims.
My own eyes widen in surprise. I can’t believe I was so wrong. But wait. “Why all the subterfuge if they’re doing something good?”
Lily waves her hand as if it’s obvious. “If everyone knew they did it, all kinds of people would be knocking at their door non-stop. They’re not trying to make a big deal about it. They just want to do what’s right with the money they have.
“That’s why he couldn’t interview the library director himself. He’s such a public figure, somebody would have recognized him.”
Penny directs her comment to me. “He probably didn’t give you the details because it’s only been a week since you started.”
“Even with a signed NDA, this is big news. And once it got out, you couldn’t put it back in the bag,” Paige chimes in.
Wow. I never realized.
Everyone calls Max an ass, including myself. But this new information has me reviewing and rethinking all our encounters. I’m not quite ready to draw any new conclusions, but it’s something I’ll need to think about, especially considering the epic kiss we shared last night.
Like she can see into my thoughts, Penny leans forward and asks, “Anything else to share, chica?”
“Um, er. No,” I stutter. With these new revelations, I need some time to process on my own. Usually, I do my best thinking with an animal in my lap. The other women smile knowingly, but let my lame attempt at an answer slide.
Speaking of animals, I need to check on the kittens hiding in Max’s library. It’s time for me to go. My fur babies have been alone for a few hours, and I need to refresh their food and water before going to bed.
We signal for the check and Lily pays. “In honor of new friends.” Unexpectedly, she walks me to my car. “I’m so glad I met you. When I first met Max, I had no idea what kind of woman could stand his uppity attitude.” She pauses, looking over my shoulder as if gathering her thoughts.
