Landlord Wars(11)

Max gulped his beer, hovering and generally unnerving me.

“I’m an interior designer who specializes in indoor greenspace.”

Karl tipped his head back a notch, bemusement filling his features. “That’s a profession?”

“Dad,” Max warned.

I glanced up, startled. If I wasn’t mistaken, Max had just called his father out over a rude comment.

It wasn’t only my casual clothes that made me different from the others at this party. Even my profession didn’t measure up.

I often worked with wealthy clients, but there was a hierarchy in those relationships that was mutually understood. I was the service provider, to whom they offered a modicum of respect in exchange for my expertise. But here, on this rooftop, with these people? I was an interloper pretending to fit in.

“There is a profession for indoor green design, yes,” I said in response to Karl’s comment, while rubbing out a smudge on my wineglass. “I consult with businesses on how to make their interiors more inviting through green décor without it looking overdone. I also consult on layouts for parties, weddings, and upscale shops. Green design is as important these days as outdoor landscaping.”

“Interesting,” Karl said and looked at his son. “I suppose I never thought about it before.”

“When it’s done well,” Max said, “you wouldn’t notice.”

Max’s head was turned away as though he were barely paying attention, but he was. He’d defended me a moment ago, and he’d just done it again.

“Is there upward mobility?” Karl asked.

I twisted my lips. “Not in the way you mean, with me conquering the world one plant at a time. But there is in the sense that I’d like to run my own green design business one day. We’d cover all levels of plant furnishings, from corporate to small shops to private homes, and even galas like the one Kitty mentioned earlier.”

Karl raised an eyebrow. “Well, we certainly have people in our circle who could use that sort of service.” He chuckled and stood, then elbowed his son. “Your mother lacks a green thumb, wouldn’t you say, Max?”

Max gave his father a mild smile, but his posture remained stiff and closed off.

If I wanted to be a business owner someday, I couldn’t let intimidation by Max’s cold demeanor or my station in life hold me back. “I’d love to help in any way I can.” I pulled out several business cards. They were new, with watercolor olive leaves and my name printed in script, and I was more than a little excited to share them. “Please pass my name along. Warming up a space with the right plants is what I love to do. The design shop I work for is full service, so we have specialists who come out to care for the plants as well.”

Karl tucked the cards in his stone-blue sports jacket. “You’re more ambitious than the last gal who rented from Jack, I’ll say that much. Though I don’t know why Max has strangers living in the building.” He sent his son an apologetic look. “No offense.”

I wasn’t sure that was a raving endorsement of my person, but it seemed to be a compliment in Karl’s eyes. What did I expect from the people in these upper echelons?

Max tipped his beer and took a sip, still looking out at the others. “There are many choices I make that you and Mom don’t understand.”

“True,” Karl said, a note of censure in his tone. He glanced past Max. “Don’t forget to spend time with Gwenny. She misses you, you know.”

Max finally met his father’s gaze. “I’d rather you not push that.”

Karl held up his hands. “Just calling it like I see it. You two fit together.”

I glanced over at Gwen. Karl was right—she was stunning, with dark-blonde hair that glimmered in the sun like a medallion. Max’s dark to her light was a golden couple made in heaven.

If I stood next to Max—not that I ever would, but if I did—I’d look like his frumpy sidekick.

The best I could hope for in life was to work for a family like Max’s. Which wasn’t a bad thing. I wasn’t interested in social climbing. I was interested in paying my rent and supporting my family. And if I could do that while working my dream job, all the better. My goal was to grow my clientele, and this was a good lead. Though the tension between Max and his dad said now might not be the best time to continue my pitch.

“Maybe I should let you two chat?” I said.

“No,” Karl said. “I’ll rescue Gwenny and Sue Getty from Kitty’s party planning.” He winked. “She doesn’t stop once she gets going. It was nice to meet you, Sophia.”

Karl strode to the group of men and women I hadn’t yet met, and my body stiffened. Because now it was only me and Max. And I’d planned to avoid him. Instead, I’d somehow ended up spending my time with him and his parents.

After a prolonged pause, I glanced over to where he was standing, the silence killing me. “Well, this is awkward.”

“I heard what you told my mom about Jack.”

Max’s comment was so sharp and abrupt that I had to rewind the conversation.

There was only one thing he could have objected to—the one thing I’d feared he might have overheard and misinterpreted.

He turned a steely gaze on me. “You told my mother how attractive you find Jack. He just got out of a toxic relationship, Sophia. Don't even think about using him or you’ll regret it.”