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“Here you go,” Kendal handed the bag and coffee to Dave, giving him her sweetest smile.
“Aren’t you Bruno James’s daughter?” Dave asked her, taking a swig of the coffee.
Max watched with interest as Kendal seemed to balk at the mention of her father and realized she was scared of the man.
“Yes, that’s right.” Kendal nodded.
“Thanks for the food and coffee.” Dave walked off.
Kendal turned to Max. “I tried to call you the other night when I heard your wife and kids left you alone.” She gave him an alluring smile. “I thought you may want company.”
“Nope, I was out.” Max didn’t elaborate. “I’m sorry, Kendal, but I must get home and wash up as I’m going out with my sister-in-law and her fiancé.”
“Where are you going?” Kendal’s eyes lit with interest. “Maybe I could meet you there.”
“I don’t think so,” Max said, stepping out of the house and pulling the door closed. “I’ll walk you to the gate.”
Max started to walk when Kendal stepped off the small step, and her ankle buckled. She reached out for Max, and he automatically grabbed her to steady her. Once she was stable, he quickly let her go.
“Are you okay?” Max asked.
“I’m fine,” Kendal told him before his attention was caught by something behind him.
But before Max could turn to see, Kendal grabbed him and plastered her lips to his. Shock paralyzed him for a few seconds before he grabbed her by the arms. Max was about to push Kendal away when Steph’s voice shot through him like a whip.
“And you accusedmeof having an affair,“ Steph shouted from the gate.
Max shoved Kendal away from him so hard that she fell over, but he didn’t care. His heart was hammering in his ears as he dashed after Steph, but before he could get to her, she’d roared off in a new car.
Fury burst through Max’s veins as he spun on his heels and was about to storm toward Kenda and demand to know if she did that on purpose when he nearly ran her over as she was right behind him.
“Wow, your wife is so volatile!” Kendal said, wide-eyed. “Do you know that a few years ago, she had me arrested for bringing a thank you for helping me gift?”
“Did you know Steph was standing there when you kissed me?” Max asked her, his eyes narrowed dangerously, and his hands curled into tight balls at his side.
“Max, your wife is insane!” Kendal told him. “You saw how she took off here. I hope she doesn’t run someone down in the street.” She shook her head. “You’re better off without her.”
“I’m going to ask you one more time,” Max said through gritted teeth, ignoring Kendal’s snide remarks about Steph, afraid that if he didn’t, he may snap and do something stupid. “Did you know Steph was standing by the gate?”
“I—“ Kendal’s eyes met his, and hers widened in shock when she saw the anger radiating from his. “I.” She licked her lips nervously. “I might have. I can’t remember. I was lost in the moment.”
“Don’t bother going to work tomorrow,” Max’s voice dipped and dripped with controlled anger. “As of right now, you no longer work there. I’ll give you a good reference. There’s a job opening in California. I’ve given the center your details.”
“Youcan’tfire me!“ Kendal’s jaw dropped as she stared at him, stunned. “My father will pull his funding from the center.”
“I’m sure your father would love to know that you’re harassing my wifeagain!“ It was no idle threat. Max fully intended to contact Bruno James when he returned to the pool house.
“I haven’t been near her!” Kendal retorted. “Besides, she’s the crazy one who accused me of harassing her because she was jealous of us.”
“There isnous and never has been!“ Max’s anger was rising.
“Oh, come on, Max, you and I both know there’s been something between us since the day we met,” Kendal insisted. “I knew it the instant you got out of your car and walked toward me.”
“My sister-in-law would give me all kinds of grief for hearing me say this,” Max told her. “But you’re crazy if you think that. There is only one woman in my life. There always has been only Steph and will always be only her!”
“She doesn’t deserve you!” Kendal’s voice rose as her eyes took on a glassy sheen. “I know you care for me because you’ve saved me twice!”
“I merely stopped to help someone in distress when I helped with your tire.” Max’s jaw clamped as a nerve ticked at the side of his jaw. “I didn’t know you were inside that burning house.” He swallowed, remembering the fire that had ended his career.
