Page 94 of Any Port in a Storm

If I didn’t know any better, I’d almost think Max was jealous. Or at the very least, angry on Grace’s behalf.

But I’ve seen them verbally spar whenever they’re within ten feet of each other for years now, and I very much know better.

“She is,” I say, looking down to text Grace. I’m so sorry, sweetie. Do you want me to call?

I guess Max isn’t done. “Why?”

I offer a lopsided smirk. “How about we focus on why your date cancelled on you at the last minute tonight, rather than nitpick the relationship of someone who isn’t here to defend herself?”

Nick laughs out loud. “Play nice, kids.”

“I’ve heard plenty of stories from Nick,” Max explains, sipping his beer. “Leo just sounds like an asshole.”

“Yeah,” I say quietly, reading Grace’s reply. Can you FaceTime me? “He might be. Um, Grace wants me to FaceTime her. Do you mind?”

“Go for it,” Nick replies.

Grace’s braid is rumpled and her face tear-stained when she answers. She immediately shakes her head.

“I didn’t realize you were out. At a fancy restaurant, no less. We can do this later.”

“It’s okay. I’m just here with Nick and Max.” I spin the phone to show her.

“Hey, Grace!” Nick waves cheerfully. “Need us to come down and kick Leo’s ass?”

“Hey,” Max mutters, leaning in for another swig of his drink.

“I might take a rain check, Nick. Laur, let’s talk later, okay? I don’t want to interrupt your…reverse harem situation.”

I choke on my wine. “Excuse you?”

She’s grinning like a maniac. “I feel better now.”

“And here I was, trying to help. I can call you when I get home?”

“Yeah,” she agrees. “I’ll talk to you then. Later, guys!”

Nick shouts something about kicking Leo’s ass again, and Max just grunts a goodbye.

“Reverse harem, eh?” Nick asks when I hang up the phone.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with her,” I say, rolling my shoulders.

“I mean, you could do a lot worse,” he jokes.

“I’m more of a one-man type of girl.”

“You can have Nick,” Max says. “No offense taken.”

I fight down the steam that’s invading my mind at the notion of me having Nick and purse my lips. “I wasn’t concerned that you took offense, Max.”

Max snorts. “Well, that’s a relief.”

After dinner, we head down the street to Mike’s Pastry, where Nick lets Max and me buy him two cannoli each.

“I need leftovers for breakfast,” he explains.

I ruffle his hair. “You would.”