Page 75 of Boss from Hell

“That wasn’t a successful day,” she said.

“It doesn’t look like it, but it was a good idea,” I said. “Those cottages were gorgeous. Makes me want to live there myself.”

“They were, weren’t they?”

“Yeah. It was a good idea, but I think we should let it rest for now, okay?”

“Okay.”

I kissed her cheek and pushed the door open. “Say hi to Dylan for me and kiss the girls. Tell them I love them.”

“Will do,” Rose said. “I bet Dylan can’t wait for me to get home. Those kids can be exhausting.”

I laughed and shut the door. The first thing I did when I entered my apartment was check if Max had texted me.

He had not.

Chapter 43

Lillian

At lunchtime, Max left to go for lunch with his mother while I left to meeet Maggie. I was pleased to catch up with her. So much had happened to me, it seemed like forever since she had come around bringing pizza and wine.

I took an Uber to the Mexican restaurant next to Maggie’s office. Since I got there first, I ordered a bottle of cold water and sipped on it while I waited. My thoughts immediately meandered to Max and the lunch with his mother. Would she be trying to convince him that I was the wrong type of woman for him?

My insides contracted.

I told myself how silly I was being. Max was a grown man who did not depend on his mother to make decisions for him. And he had also clearly indicated he wanted nothing to do with Paige.

I was glad when Maggie appeared before I drove myself insane.

“You are glowing. Must be all the sex,” Maggie teased as we hugged and kissed each other’s cheeks.

I laughed. If only she knew how painful my situation had become.

Sipping on her water, she studied my face. “I hope I’ll look like you after next weekend.”

At that moment the server came to take our orders. I chose a chicken taco and Maggie went for the beef.

“What’s going on next weekend?” I asked.

She leaned on the table and grinned at me. “Martin has invited me to go away for the weekend. I’m thinking of it as a dirty weekend.”

I laughed and cocked my head to one side. “Maybe he wants to propose?”

Maggie shook her head decisively. “I don’t want to ruin my dirty weekend waiting for him to propose. Besides, you’ve inspired me. I realize that I’ve let our sex life become too stale and boring. Right now I’ll take a dirty weekend over a romantic one.” She winked at me. “You know what else?”

I grinned. “What?”

“I’ve bought chocolate sauce, edible body paint, and sex toys for both of us. I’m intending to have lots and lots of fun.”

I began to laugh. “Oh, what a treat Martin is in for.”

“You bet. I’ve even booked a bedroom with a jacuzzi in it. I’m going to make it a weekend he’ll never forget for the rest of his life. When he’s old and can’t get his dick up anymore, he’ll be talking about this weekend.”

I laughed.

Her absolute commitment to her dirty weekend and her excitement meant she didn’t question me too deeply about my weekend. I quickly glossed over the fact that Max’s mom hated me and she didn’t pick up on how hurt I was. She reassured me that in time Mrs. Frost would fall in love with me because, ‘hell, what’s not to love?’