she clung to love when self-preservation should have told her to walk away. Wanting you demonstrated that I was no better than them. I was ready to sacrifice my principles to have you in my life.”
“But you were so angry when you found out I was married.”
“I was angry because you went back to your husband.”
“I didn’t think I had a choice.” And now she understood what a mistake she’d made.
“You put Hailey’s needs above your own. How can I be angry about that?”
Rachel snuggled against his chest, hiding her tears from him. For the first time in forever, her life was perfect. She wanted to savor the moment. All too soon, Max pushed her to arm’s length. She dabbed at the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand and sniffled.
Glancing around, she realized the offices were empty. “What happened to Hailey and Devon?”
“I think they had someplace else to be.”
“Is this really all mine?” She still couldn’t believe what Hailey and Max had done for her.
“All yours.”
“When I didn’t hear from you after getting back from Biloxi, I thought we were done.”
“I needed a little time to settle my past where it belonged.”
“And now?”
“Put to rest.”
As nice as all this sounded, she wasn’t sure what happened next. “I’m glad.” She pushed aside her doubts about the future and concentrated on enjoying her present. “Can I buy you dinner to celebrate?”
“I have an errand to run, but after that, I’m free.”
“How long will it take? Shall I meet you somewhere?”
“Not long. I could use your help, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure.”
They exited the suite, Rachel taking care to lock the door behind her. The hand Max placed against the small of her back spread warmth throughout her entire body. Contentment radiated to every nook and cranny, bringing light to the darkest recesses of her soul.
He gave her an address and directions before they parted on the downtown street. Still floating in her happy bubble, she scarcely noticed the rush-hour traffic as she crept toward the suburbs. By the time she parked in front of an elegant colonial in one of Houston’s older, affluent neighborhoods, she’d decided whatever form Max wanted their relationship to take, she’d enjoy being with him as long as he wanted her around.
While she wondered who lived in the house, Max drove up past her in a familiar yellow convertible and parked in the driveway. Her cheeks heated as she recalled what had happened on the hood of that car. Mystified by the reason he was driving one of his rare cars, she crossed the lawn toward him.
He’d discarded his suit coat and tie and rolled up his sleeves. She took the hand he held out to her and let him lead her toward the front door.
“What are we doing here?” she asked as they waited for the owner to answer their knock.
“You’ll see.”
His mischievous grin told her he wasn’t giving anything away. A second later, she was distracted by the blond man who opened the door. Jason Sterling, Max’s best friend. His gaze bounced from Max to her to the car in the driveway.
He paled beneath his tan.
“Oh, man, I never thought I’d see the day.” Jason stepped back to let them enter the house. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Never more sure of anything in the world.” He tossed his keys to Jason and wrapped his arm around Rachel’s waist, guiding her into the foyer.
She gazed up at him, deciding she’d never seen him so relaxed. “Why did you give Jason your car keys?”
“Not just the keys,” Jason said.
“The car.”
“But you love that car,” she exclaimed. “Why would you sell it?”
Max raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t sell it.”
“I won it.”
Rachel regarded the two men for a long moment, watching the silent interaction between them. “Won it how?”
Before Max could answer, Jason waggled his head in dismay. “I thought you loved that car.”
“I love this woman more.”
Rachel’s breath stopped. Without his arm propelling her forward, her feet would have stopped as well. Instead, she kept going, stumbling over the transition from hardwood floor to area rug. Max’s strong arm supported her. His steady calm soothed her flustered emotions.
She regained her balance, physically and spiritually, and stared up at him in awe. “You do?”
“Of course he does,” Jason grumbled. “He’s giving up the find of a lifetime because of you.”
Max shot his best friend a sour look. Jason retaliated with a disgruntled glare of his own. The undercurrents in the room darted around her like agitated birds. Rachel wasn’t sure what was going on, but she sensed she was at the heart of it.
“You don’t have to give up your car for me.”
Max took her hands in his and deposited kisses in both palms. “I’m not giving it up for you. I’m giving it up because I lost a bet.”
“What sort of bet?”
“I bet him he’d marry whoever your agency placed as his assistant,” Jason explained.
The absurdity of it made her laugh. “You were serious about all that?” she asked him. “I thought for sure you’d made it all up as payback for what I did to you five years ago.”
“No,” Jason said. “We were completely serious. Do you have any idea how many men have married the assistants you’ve placed with them?”
“You’re both insane.”
“Nine.” Jason crossed to a table with three crystal decanters and poured himself a shot out of one. When he gestured toward them with the bottle, both she and Max shook their heads. “Nine perfectly happy bachelors have fallen in love. Including my father. His brother. And now my best friend. All because of you.”
“I wasn’t perfectly happy,” Max insisted.
Rachel turned on Jason. “You’re behind his idiotic idea that I run a matchmaking service? You can’t seriously think I have anything to do with those couples falling in love.”
Jason scowled at her. “You match executives and assistants. A lot of them get married.”
His
