Deadly Infatuation

Chapter 14

Max

"I almost forgot to tell you the good news I learned today."

"Hmm. What's that?" I ask my sister distractedly over the loudspeaker of my phone as I type out another work email to reduce the load. I've still got twenty-five pending to be read and at the rate I'm going, I'll have to work through lunch.

"Peter called me and he asked me for advice on what ring he should get Taylor."

I finish reading another email which really didn't need to be sent to me but I hit respond anyway. "Mm-hmm."

"Max? Did you hear what I just said?"

Shit, what did she say? My brow creases as I try to recall anything, but it's useless. My silence to her question confirms that I wasn't listening and she huffs. "You haven't been listening to a word I've been saying, have you?"

I minimize my emails, knowing that I should be engaged in this conversation more than I am. "Sorry, I'm listening now. Tell me again."

"Peter is going to propose to Taylor."

"Shit, really? Good for Taylor."

"I can't wait to find out how he is going to propose to her. I think he's going to do it soon."

"You think?" Though they've only been together for several months, I could tell that things seemed serious between them at the wedding.

"Absolutely. He's going to be sending me some photos of rings, so he's close to picking one out. I've kept all of my wedding planner books which she could use to plan the wedding and I'm sure she'll ask Lily for advice as well on the floral arrangements."

The sound of Lily's name makes my ears prick and an image of her comes into my mind. I still haven't been able to get her out of my mind for three days now and I thought the idea of her dating another guy would stop this intense need to have her yet it has had the opposite effect and left me brooding and in a somber mood which has been noticed by my employees. I just need to push past this, as I know I can be friends with her. Maybe I just need to get laid. It has been a long time since I last had sex with a woman and my libido is running high. I could always stop off at a bar after work and see if I can find a woman to spend the evening with, but as soon as that thought enters my mind I know I have no desire to do this and will probably just end up going the gym again to blow off some steam. "Let's just allow Taylor to get engaged first before you get ahead of yourself. She could say no after all."

"There's no way Taylor is going to turn him down. She's smitten with him and if he proposes in time, they can come visit when we're back from our honeymoon and we can have a celebration."

"Sounds good. Do you want to have a party as I'm sure mom will be happy to arrange one?"

"No, let's just have a family meal, though I think I'll invite Lily along as well. She's not had a good week and I think she'll need cheering up a little when I get home."

Lily hasn't had a good week? She seemed content when I dropped her off at her shop after our lunch at the club, even when Sarah showed up. Maybe it affected her more than she let on? Or maybe the guy she was talking to went south? Either way, whatever caused Lily to not be happy doesn't sit right with me, and I am keen to know what has happened without raising too much suspicion. "Is there something wrong with her business?"

"No, it's nothing like that. I had set her up with one of Oliver's work colleagues from the wedding, but their date didn't go well the other day and she seemed a little deflated."

I can't help but feel a little relieved that things did not work out between the two of them. "I'm sure she's fine, Paige. It was only one date."

"Yeah, maybe."

Hmm, perhaps I should see if Lily is okay. That is what friends do, after all. "Well, Lily and I were speaking at the wedding about getting you two a gift as your groomsman and maid of honor. I could check in with her about that and see how she is if you would like?"

"You were? Oh, Max, that's so sweet of you two, but you don't have to. But if you could see how she is doing, that would mean a lot to me."

"It's no problem, and I want to get you a gift."

"Thank you, Max. You're a good brother to me."

At this moment in time, I don't fully agree with her kind sentiment, not when I'm lusting after her best friend.