Baby Be Mine(Spinsters & Casanovas Series Book 1)(78)

Still grinning like an idiot, Max closed the door and made a turn when—

Smack! A pillow flew into his face.

“Max, you rascal. Why did you do that?” Clarice came charging out of her bedroom with another pillow in hand, which she threw at Max also.

“Aaaaahhhhhh. Cuz,” Max screamed at his cousin who had now been transformed into a wild boar.

He had heard many times from Elise and Whitney that his cousin had a tendency to turn into a boar when she’s upset, but he’d never experienced it firsthand. But now he really didn’t want to experience it at all as he made dodges and turns just so he could escape her flared temper. “I’m sorry, okay. I thought you would be happy that I arranged it for you,” he managed to say through his escape.

“Why the hell didn’t you tell me? You set me up, you rascal?” She ran after him again.

They both stopped for a few minutes to catch their breath before proceeding with their chase again.

“Clarice stop,” Max shouted at her. He was puffed out of air. This was ridiculous. Why were they running and screaming at the same time? What a waste of energy. They should just talk civilly. “Let’s just talk like adults, okay?”

“Fi… fi… finnne.” Clarice was also puffed out air. She walked to the couch and collapsed. Max did the same.

“That was exhausting. I haven’t run like that in ages,” Clarice said.

“You should exercise more, cuz,” Max said. “Exercise is good for you.”

“Don’t try to change the subject.” Clarice glared at her cousin once her breath was intact again. “You want to talk like an adult? Let’s talk like adults, then.”

“Fine. I’m sorry. I thought you would be happy I did that for you.”

“Max, I just don’t understand how you would think it would make me happy. Yes, I have a desire to have his sperm. I was going to ask him nicely for it, so he could donate it to me. If he says no, then I’ll just look for another option. I don’t want to steal it.”

“I’m sorry, okay,” Max said sadly. “I just want you to be happy, that’s all. I love you, Clarice. You’re the only one that’s very close to me, despite our age difference. And I moved all the way to Auckland just to look after you.”

Clarice couldn’t help giving in to her cousin when he talked about his life like that.

“Oh, Max. Stop it with the sad face. Come here.” She hugged him. “I appreciate that you care and love me. I love you too. But this is very important. We’re talking about a person’s life here. I don’t feel it’s right to do this. Plus, I have my own value. I don’t want to devalue myself just for the sake of the sperm. Perhaps it’s my fault too for putting my problems into your hands. I’m sorry for that, so next time, if you have some elaborate plan that involves messing in other people’s lives, I think it’s best to talk to that person first. Do you agree?”

“Okay,” Max said, still looking sad. “Do you forgive me, then?” he asked with unshed tears in his eyes. He knew after Clarice had said all that, it did make some sense. He was being too hasty in helping his cousin that he forgot to take into account her feelings. He just assumed she would be happy that she got her sperm. But he should have known that Clarice had class and dignity. She valued her innocence more than anything. So he was wrong and he admitted it.

“I forgive you. But promise me before you start interfering in other people’s lives, ask their permission first.”

“I promise.” He smiled. And then they both hugged each other again.