Chapter 4

She was a wild card when she met my father from the stories I've heard. You wouldn't think it if you saw her though. She always looks her best, and always seems confident in everything she says.

Sighing, I sit, rubbing at my cheek where she pointed to the lipstick. I hope it's not red, that crap is hard to get off.

"We were just discussing table placements and I noticed you don't have a plus one. Will that change?" Mother asks, lifting a brow at me. Her tone of voice asking me more than if I'm having a date.

I eye her as I take a large sip of my water, acting as if I can't reply because I'm so parched.

"Mom," Macy hush whispers. As if my being single is a condition I can't help.

"I figured not. So, I have someone for you to meet, Max." Mom hits me with a clinical look and water spits from my nose. Coughing, I wipe my face with a napkin.

"No!" I leave no room for argument with my tone. "That last girl you set me up with was missing an eye, and was a grave keeper. She went on and on about how the dead get lonely when she doesn't work because nobody talks to them." I raise a brow, recalling the whole thing. It was creepy as shit. I didn't sleep a wink that night, and not because I was banging her, but because I swore to God there was a damn ghost in my house.

Macy laughs.

"You are twenty-five, Max, and I'm ready to spoil some grandchildren. If you need a little push in the right direction-"

"Maybe off a bridge?" I interrupt and her eyes widen with anger.

"Mom, I'm going to give you grandbabies, just when the time is right," Macy interrupts. She's made it clear she doesn't want kids, so my mother's hope is me. I kind of hate my sister right now.

"I will have a plus one, please don't set me up on any blind dates," I demand, and lie.

"I want to see this plus one at the rehearsal dinner," Mom challenges me, crossing her arms. I flick a brow at Macy, not sure when the rehearsal dinner is.

"It's July twenty-seventh. You have a month," Macy lifelines.

"I will be there!" I point at them with a smirk. But inside I'm anything but happy. Who the hell am I going to take to this thing?

Standing, Mom cups my face and kisses the side of my cheek. "You smell son, take a shower. You remind me of a theater your father took us to when we were younger. Let's just say they weren't showing Pixar films," she informs with an arched brow.

"Too much, Ma!" I shake my head, pulling away from her. "I have to work, see you guys later." I back wave as I head outside.

So for my plus one I need a female that is smart.

Has a banging body.

Funny.

And mother approved.

My boots scuff to a stop on the concrete.

Where the hell am I going to find a woman like that?

Maybe I can pay someone, or do a mail order bride and send her back in a month.

I'm screwed.

***

Rae

Walking outside I head back to mine and Quinn's apartment to change before I head to work. I assist at a veterinarian clinic in town. It's not the law firm Jacob hired me onto but this is way better. I love animals, and it's much more laid back.

Head down, I watch my feet as I think about how I'm going to get my mom off my back about being single. I'm just not ready to settle down. Granted, I could cool it on the partying and try and find a place of my own.

"Watch out!"

My head whips up, and I smack into something so hard I'm knocked back on my backside.

My world spins, and my head throbs painfully.

"Shit!" I hiss, holding my forehead.

"Are you okay?"

Looking up through squinted eyes I see a pile of two by fours being lifted by a machine, and then my eyes set on two familiar blue eyes.

"Max?" I blink, trying to tell if I'm seeing things. He's wearing a tight gray shirt that fits his chest snugly, and dark blue jeans. A dark blue ball hat shielding his face that has dirty blond stubble growing on his hard square jaw.

"Rae?" He holds his hand up to shield his eyes from the sun, his hat not doing near enough to block the Tennessee sun. Groaning, I try and stand up. Max helps by placing his hand on my lower back to steady me and instantly a warmth spreads through my legs. In reaction, I jerk away, not familiar with the feeling.

My eyes pull to his, and my stomach fills with butterflies. He's handsome, more than the last time I saw him. Has he always been this attractive, or was I just so caught up in my delusional relationship with Jacob to notice before? I haven't seen him since the day he dropped me off at Quinn's.

"Sorry I hit you with my wood," he apologizes, and I can't help but smirk. "Not my wood. I mean, it's the company's. Shit." He rubs his forehead suddenly flustered.

"It's okay, I get what you mean." I hold my throbbing head. "Am I bleeding?" I pat my forehead looking for blood.

"There's a small cut," he replies, hovering over me to get a closer look. His breath smells of mint, and I suddenly remember my breath probably smells like last night so I turn my head away. "Come inside and let me get that cleaned up for you." He stretches his arm out, gesturing toward a building that is being built or renovated.