He gave a nod and half a shrug. "All seemed to be going well until his ex and her daughter showed up."
My eyes widened. "His ex? I thought Kate was his ex?"
Max shook his head and then nodded. "Well, yes, Kate was his ex, but he had an ex before Kate. That first ex was one of the reasons Kate became his second ex." He looked at me, his eyes shining with sincerity. "He didn't cheat. Sam is a good and decent man. In fact, that part of him, the need to do the right thing, was what ultimately ended his relationship with Kate." He shook his head. "It's a long, convoluted story. Suffice it to say, Kate didn't take it very well when Sandra showed up for Thanksgiving dinner."
I studied him, trying to figure out why an ex would be invited to Thanksgiving dinner. "Did she just show up?"
He shook his head again. "I know it all sounds melodramatic, like my family lives in a soap opera, but it's really not. Sandra had a brand-new baby and her family basically abandoned her. So, she went to Sam, suggesting it was his. Sam and my parents took her in. She and her daughter recently moved to Boston, so I don't think Sam considered that she would be there."
Understanding dawned. "So, Kate hadn't been warned."
He nodded. "Exactly. And Kate, for as smart and interesting she is, she has a lot of trust issues. In some ways, I don't blame her. I know what Sam did five years ago really hurt her. But I wish she could see how much he loves her. How much he regretted what he did. How committed he is to her now."
"So does that mean they're done?" I sipped the wine. I didn’t wish heartache on anyone, but I had to admit I was glad to hear even perfect families had their issues.
"I think so, but this time, I don't think it's on Kate's end. When we got back to California, Kate's brother Ethan showed up and started to kick my ass thinking I was Sam. He was angry that Sam wasn't doing the right thing by his sister."
I arched a brow. "When a man is told to do the right thing, that usually means she's—"
"Pregnant. But she hadn't told Sam. Sam believes she wasn't going to tell him. And that was it for him. He realized she wasn't ever going to trust him again."
"What about the baby?"
"He's not going to do the right thing because he's obligated. Sam is going to love that kid. Like I said, I can understand why Kate is hard headed and not wanting to trust, but at the same time, trust goes both ways, right? My brother was busting his balls to prove to her that he was the man she wanted, and in the end, she's the one who betrayed him. It's too bad, really, because I haven't seen Sam so happy in a long time." He took a sip of his wine and then shook his head. "You don't want to hear all about my family drama."
"I like hearing about your family. They’re definitely better people than my dad."
"Well, he has a lovely daughter."
We were quiet for a moment, and the silence started to turn awkward. Was now the time he was going to pull out his laptop and we were going to fill out the annulment papers together?
He looked at his watch and then at me. "I suppose it's a little early for dinner, but I didn't have lunch. Any chance you're hungry and want to go out to eat?"
I absolutely wanted to do that. What I didn't want to do is go out and be seen with Max in case my father had his henchmen watching over me.
I let out a sigh. "I'm so comfortable here. The view is great, and I like the secluded privacy. Perhaps we can get room service."
His green eyes studied me, and I wished I knew what he was looking for. Maybe I should tell him about my father and how I didn't want Max to get dragged into any scheme my father would cook up.
He gave a quick nod. "Actually, that sounds nice. What would you like to eat?"
"Is there a menu?"
He rose from the couch and went to the table where the phone sat. On top was a binder which he picked up and brought back. He sat next to me, leaning in close, so close I could smell the sexy scent of him. My heart rolled in my chest with longing.
He flipped to the menu and began scanning. "Do you suppose salmon is good in Nevada? Isn't this a desert state? How would they get fresh salmon?"
"They fly it in, probably.”
"Well, then I'm going to have the salmon. How about you?"
I scanned the menu but didn't really read it. "I'll have the salmon too."
He turned to the wine list. "Do you have a wine preference?"
I shook my head. "I'm sure you know more about wine than I do."
He turned his head to look at me. "But surely, you're learning. You are trying to get a vineyard as a client, right?"