True Connections (9 page)

Chapter Twelve

Lia wiped the backs of her hands across her face. Watching Max walk away was the hardest thing she’d ever done…only next to leaving him that morning after the best night of her life. She wanted to chase after him and take all that he’d offered, but she couldn’t.

He’d said he loved her. A part of her believed him, but the rest—the part that had been burned so many times—couldn’t handle another hurt. Another failure. She leaned against the wall. Unshed tears burned her eyes. Memories of the weekend swarmed through her mind, along with the many times she’d dreamed of being “Max’s girl.” Maybe she had always loved him. She hadn’t been sure about leaving Grant until she’d announced it, but it was for the best, right?

“Hey.”

Lia stilled at her mother’s voice. Straightening, she dried the rest of her tears and turned around.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Lia bent to pick up the box of nails.

“Did Max leave?”

“Yes.”

“You want to talk about it?”

She almost laughed. Not once growing up had Dina McEvers been there for her. Lia would rather put up with the scorn, insults, or complaints from her mother than anything else. At least she’d have something to focus on, other than the fact that she’d ruined any chances she had with Max. “I’m fine.”

Silence filled the room as Lia marked the wall where the next nail should be.

“Something going on with you and Max?”

Not anymore.
He’d said she was scared. Of course she was scared. She hated change, hated uncertainty. Mindy had taught her that. Her mother had taught her that. She couldn’t count on anyone. But Max had always been there for her. Even when they’d been busy torturing each other.

Her throat closed. “No.”

She heard a loud sigh behind her. “Well, how about I talk and you listen?”

Lia slowly turned. “Talk about what?”

“Sit down.” Dina pointed to the couch.

Lia sat in the chair across from her instead. No way she could go through another encounter. She wanted to find a hole to crawl in and cry until she had no more tears. She thought of Max’s final words. He’d said she was running and he wouldn’t wait for her anymore. Had he been waiting for her to return all along?

Her mother fidgeted. “I’m sorry for being a horrible mother.”

Definitely not what Lia expected
.
“Okay…”

“I know I wasn’t there for you when you were younger. I was young myself.” Dina reached for a cushion and hugged it. “I got pregnant when I was a teen and your father left before you were born. I was mad. I blamed you.”

Drawing in a deep breath, Lia shrugged. She’d known all along why her mother hated her. “Umm, you’re forgiven?”

Dina sighed. “I’m not asking for forgiveness.” She paused. “Maybe I am. But I want us to start new.”

Shock gutted her. She couldn’t imagine Dina trying to mother her. “I’m not mad, Mother—”

“No.” Dina held up a hand. “I’m not trying to change your life. I just want to be there for you from now on.”

Hesitation made her lean back in her seat. She thought of Max—his anger when she refused to talk about Steve, the protectiveness toward her the night Mindy had come to her. He had always been there for her, and she’d just given it all up. The ache in her chest expanded. Had she just lost the best thing that had happened to her? Max had told her himself, but how could he be so sure that they would work out? What if they failed? What if her actions tore their families apart?

He loves you.

“I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“I…want to be your friend, I guess.”

Tears burned her eyes. She’d lost her best friend to her undeserving ex, and she’d just allowed the guy she loved walk out the door. And now her mother wanted to be her
friend
? A sob tore past her lips.

Dina quickly came around and drew Lia into her arms. “It’s okay if you don’t want to. I won’t force you. I know I’ve done enough damage.”

Her insides clenched, tears continuing to fall. She wiped a hand over her cheek. “Max told me he loved me and I just let him walk away.”

Smoothing her hair back, Dina chuckled. “I thought we were talking about us.”

“He left.” Her heart tightened. It wasn’t that she was mad at Dina or didn’t care for what her mother was saying, but reality struck: Max may never forgive her. And he thought she didn’t love him.

Dina laughed and hugged her. “He’ll be back.”

Lia shook her head. “We were going to pretend that we were together for Nanna and Grammy’s sake, but he wanted more. And we had the best night of my life, but I told him it was a mistake.”

Her mother frowned. “Aw, sweetie. He’ll forgive you. You both always drove each other crazy and made up. I guess it’s not shocking that you guys slept together. It was bound to happen one day.”

Lia drew back. “What do you mean?”

“The way you two were. Mother and Aunt Carol always suspected you guys would end up together. I always thought they were crazy.”

“What do I do?” Lia asked. She’d never envisioned herself asking her mother for advice, but she needed help.

Dina’s eyes lit up. “Get him back.”

“It’s not that easy. I was scared. I didn’t want to fail—” Lia stopped. “You.” She looked at her mother. The truth struck her blind. Max was right. She had been running her whole life.

Dina winced. “I’m sorry. I know I wasn’t easy to live with, but I’m glad Nanna and Grammy loved you so much. I do too, but…I didn’t know how to show it.”

Lia gave her a teary smile. The years of her mother’s neglect, the anger she’d held in felt stagnant. The fact that Dina was trying to apologize showed she was trying to make amends. Maybe it was time for Lia to stop running from everything. Just as Max had said. “What do I do about Max?”

“You get him back.”

He was never going to forgive her. He gave her his heart, and she’d done nothing but tear it apart. “How?”

Dina patted her hand and smiled. “We’ll work it out together.”

Chapter Thirteen

Max sipped his champagne, nodding at the blonde in front of him. His jaw hurt from smiling, and he hadn’t heard a word she’d said since she cornered him twenty minutes ago. Nor could he remember which one of the grandmothers’ friends’ daughters she was. He didn’t care.

Trying to act normal was one thing, but knowing Lia was going to show any second tore at him.

She was leaving town once again. Maybe it was for the better…or so he’d told himself a million times since he’d walked out on her.

His companion laid a hand on his arm, drawing his attention. “I wasn’t going to come to this party, but my parents said I needed to get out more.”

Max nodded. The desire to charm was gone. Not one woman held his interest. “I’m sure it’s a good thing. My grandmother and Maria throw great parties. This one is always a big event.”

The girl giggled, her laugh gnawing at his nerves. “Oh, I know. Everyone raves about this party, so I had to come and see for myself. Your grandmother seems so nice.”

“She is,” Max said. He looked around the spacious room. The frames on the wall were neatly hung with pictures of their families and friends. Vases of red roses sat in every corner along with streamers, heart-shaped balloons, and a table of champagne glasses stacked to reach the ceiling. French doors opened to the lawn, which was lined with lanterns, and where most of the guests were out mingling. Caterers danced across the room with silver platters of
hors d’oeuvres
.

He spotted Dina at the front door. His heart tightened the moment Lia slipped in and hugged her mother. His breath hitched at her beauty. In a shimmery white halter gown, she looked stunning with her dark curls piled high on top of her head, and her bare shoulders gleamed under the soft light. Around the room, a number of men stopped and stared.
She’s mine,
Max’s mind roared.

It didn’t matter. She didn’t want him.

Nanna Maria appeared by his side. “Sara, honey, are you having a good time?”

“I’m having a wonderful time. Thank you,” Sara replied.

“And you?” Maria gave Max a mischievous smile. When he’d arrived, the first thing Nanna and Grammy had done was introduce him to every single female in the room.

With a smile he hoped looked sincere, he answered, “Great time, as usual.”

Nanna chuckled. She lifted her hand and patted his cheek. “You’re a wonderful boy.” She stopped and glanced past his shoulder. “Excuse me. I have to go introduce my darling granddaughter to some of my friends.”

Max’s hand tightened around his champagne glass. He could just imagine how many of the guys would run up to Lia for an introduction. But it didn’t matter. She was going to leave town again. He drew a deep breath, smiling at Sara, and noticing her empty glass. “Would you like another glass of champagne?”

She beamed. “I’d love one. Thanks.”

Max gulped the rest of his drink before he reached the champagne tower. He stopped at the sight of Lia laughing with the group of men that surrounded her. Just as he’d expected. She raised her head and their gazes met for the barest second before she turned her attention back to her admirers. She looked damn beautiful, and no doubt every guy in the room wanted her.

He could pretend she didn’t exist, too.

…

Max kept a smile for the sake of the women around him, even though all he wanted to do was leave and return to his condo, where he could quietly lick his wounds. Being in the same place with Lia was torture. Pretending to be his usual self was harder than he imagined. And watching Lia act like he didn’t exist was worse than watching her flirt with all the men.

A bell rang and every head turned toward the stage, where his grandmother and Nanna Maria stood next to the band. “Now that you kids have been fed and drank up all my champagne, I’m sure you’re ready to get this party started. What’s Valentine’s Day without some games?”

A wave of groans circled the room.

“Oh stop it. You know you like my parties. That’s why you come every year.” Maria tapped her chin. “Or maybe your parents make you come…but you know you have lots of fun.”

Everyone broke into laughter.

“We’re going to hand you all numbers. The boys will then have to locate their partner for the night!”

Max looked at the doors, waiting for Lia to reappear. Fear and aggravation wormed their way up his spine. He spotted Dina standing just inside the doors with a frown. After making his way through the crowd, he stopped once he reached Lia’s mother.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Dina gave him shaky smile as she glanced at him then back to the stage. “Nothing. Just wondering about Lia.”

“What about her?” He shouldn’t care.
She
certainly didn’t.

“She left.”

His heart dropped. She hadn’t even said good-bye. But then what difference would it have made?

Dina sniffed. “I’m probably just being sentimental. I feel like I’ve just found her and lost her at the same time.”

She had no idea. A cynical laugh formed against his tight chest. He drew in a deep breath. “Maybe she’ll be back.”

Dina laid a hand on his arm. “I’m so glad she’s always had you growing up, Max. You’re a sweet boy.” She lifted up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You should join in on the festivities. I’m sure my mother and Carol have a surprise for you.”

He didn’t doubt that. His grandmother and Nanna no doubt had something planned, and his usual accomplice wanted no part in it.

He looked around to see that all the women in the room had disappeared, leaving only the eligible bachelors. He couldn’t wait for the party to be over. Not that he had anything better to do, except maybe throw himself into work and formulate another business so he’d stay busy. And forget Lia. Again.

“Max, sweetie, it’s your turn to draw.”

He approached his grandmother with a smile he didn’t feel. Nanna Maria stood next to her, a glint in her green eyes. “Too bad Lia had to leave.”

“Yes, too bad.” He nodded, not knowing what else to say, but was surprised that they were taking her departure so well. His suspicion rose.

“Just follow the directions, and you’ll find your date.” Grammy patted his cheek as he took the slip of paper from the bag.

“I think you’ll find what you need this time,” Nanna said.

He chuckled, even though an aching pang struck his insides.

“Now go along. We don’t want your date waiting too long.”

He read the directions on the paper.
Your heart’s desire is waiting for you at the gazebo.

He trudged along the familiar path around the house to Nanna Maria’s garden, the garden that had won many awards over the years. Lanterns lit the pathway, and the moonlight shone bright, adding to the garden’s magic. He just needed to get through the night with whomever Nanna and his grams fixed him up with, then he could go home. Maybe open up his liquor cabinet and just forget everything for a while.

It wasn’t until he’d reached the gazebo and looked up that he saw a woman, back bare, white dress shimmering under the lights and curls arranged elegantly on her shoulder. His heart stopped. He came to a halt. He’d recognize that body anywhere.

Lia spun around. His breath left him at her startling beauty.

“Hi, Max.”

Confusion wrapped around him. “What’s going on?”

She moved forward and laid her hand on the white beam. “I was waiting for you.”

“Why?”

With a ragged sigh, she glanced around before her attention fell on him. “I want to say I’m sorry.”

His eyebrow lifted. Doubts along with uncertainty held him rigid. “For what?”

She came down the steps until she stood in front of him. “I seem to freeze up anytime I get myself in a relationship, and I always tend to mess up somewhere along the way.”

“Why are you telling me this now?” He frowned. “I thought you were leaving.”

“I was wrong. About everything.”

He knew her admission was hard on her by her tense posture and the nervous flicker of her fingers, but knowing she still planned to leave pushed the ache against his chest. If she didn’t love him, he’d rather just turn around and walk away now. He didn’t want her pity or guilt or whatever reason she felt the need to make amends.

“Lia, just say what you want to say. I already said my piece the other day.”

She drew in a deep breath and closed the distance between them until only a few inches separated them. His hands clenched at his side, dispelling the urge to pull her into his arms. He’d missed her so much, but what difference did it make if the feelings weren’t returned?

“I don’t want to run anymore.” She looked at him as if pleading with him to understand. But there was no way he’d make a fool of himself again.

He fell back a step. “You were right. It was a mistake. The sex was great, but it’s not enough to sustain a relationship.”

She stayed quiet for a second. “But it wasn’t just sex. At least for me, it wasn’t.” She reached out and lifted his hand in hers. “I don’t want to run anymore. I want to settle down here and give our grandmothers grandkids.”

He swallowed hard. It was easy to imagine Lia swollen with his child. The thought had entered his mind a few times when he’d made love to her. “Good for you. I’m sure they’ll love that.”

Lia smiled. “But I need to find the right man first.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I’m not leaving. I’ve already started unpacking my stuff in my apartment.”

Hope blossomed in his chest. He recalled the emptiness at her place, the lack of personal belongings. He held himself rigid, unwilling to show what her words did to him. “Okay…”

“You’ve always been there for me.” The corner of her mouth rose in a half-smile. “Which is part of why I love you so much.”

He wanted to jump with joy, shout to the rooftops, but maybe he’d misunderstood her. “Why should I believe you? I said the same thing and you blew me off.”

She pressed her lips to his knuckles and a tingle shot up his arm. “I know. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all those times that I made your life miserable, sorry for all those times I purposely tormented you. But…”

His breath caught. “But what?”

“I did it because I think I’ve loved you since we were younger and I hated every girl you dated. Let
me
be yours. Because I only belong to you.”

Warmth spread through him. Her eyes lit with an emotion he’d seem many times when she looked at him, but he’d always believed she was up to something devious. He wanted everything from her. Because he belonged to no one else but her.

“So, I was thinking…”

He moved in closer, needing to touch her, hold her, kiss her. “What?”

“I plan on sticking around here for a very long time and I might need someone to keep me out of trouble…or to torment, however you want to put it.”

The corners of his mouth twitched. “As long as you don’t burn anything or push me into another large body of water, I think I’ll be okay.”

Lia laid her hand against his chest and slid it lower over his stomach. His heart pounded erratically. He hardened under her touch; the warmth spread to his toes. “No, I wouldn’t do that. But if I ever see you with anyone who looks like Lindsay Forks—or any other woman—there is going to be hell to pay.”

He groaned and drew her into his arms. “No worries there. You’re the only want I want.”

“If you can keep up with me.”

There was no one else for him and he darn well knew it. He covered her lips, sealing his fate. Then she pulled back.

“And I do admit to throwing that lacrosse ball at you on purpose. But I meant it to hit your leg. I’m sorry.”

He stilled, recalling the hard rubber torpedo that came at him during one of Lia’s lacrosse games. He’d gone to cheer her on with their grandmothers, but more so to watch her run around in her pleated skirt and cleats. No doubt he’d loved her long before he’d even realized. “What idiot thing was I doing then?”

She laughed. “Flirting with some girl on my team.”

“Shameless,” he teased and kissed her again. “So maybe I deserved that.”

Leaning back, Lia looked up at him. “I have something else I want to apologize for. You might be mad at me for a while, but I swear I’m willing to make it up to you.”

Brushing his lips over her forehead, he hugged her tight. Nothing mattered as long as she loved him. Forever. “Do I need to find armor?”

She chuckled, running her fingers across his cheek. “No.” She drew a deep breath. “The first luncheon…I kind of tampered with the computer results.”

Max opened his mouth to speak, but Lia quickly clamped her hand over his mouth. “I may have set you up with the wrong women…on purpose.”

His suspicion confirmed, laughter bubbled in his chest. He removed her hand only to press a kiss to her lips. “Life is going to be very interesting for us.”

And he wouldn’t trade it for anything.