Landlord Wars(60)

“Nervous. They’re waiting until after the ball to give a formal response. They won’t admit it, but I can tell my parents are deeply ashamed and considering moving to another country.”

“Seriously?”

“No, but the idea has been tossed around halfheartedly.”

I sank onto the carpet of my small walk-in and rested a stack of hangers on my lap. “I’m sorry, Max.” His parents didn’t have the struggles other people did, but for them, this was big. “How about you? Are you okay?”

The investment hadn’t been Max’s, but from what I could tell, being a Burrows meant he shared his parents’ reputation.

“Investors for Cityscape are getting cold feet, but what’s worse is there are rumors suggesting the project’s funding is coming from the Burrows family coffers, which isn’t the case. However, because of those rumors, the county has put the project on hold until I can prove otherwise.”

“What?” I shoved the dresser drawer inside my closet closed a little too hard. “They’re preventing a project that will actually help San Francisco?”

“It would seem so,” he said.

“That’s crap! How can they do that?”

He let out a deep sigh. “The decision is somewhat unprecedented, but the news surrounding my parents isn’t giving government officials confidence in my company.”

“What can be done?”

“Only time and a lot of legwork will prove that Cityscape is well funded. And time is what we don’t have. Not if we want to remain on schedule and within budget.”

“So, Cityscape could fall apart?”

He let out a sound of frustration. “I hope not. I’m reaching out to every contact I have to get the county to reconsider. But enough about this,” he said, changing the subject. “I believe I sent you on an errand last night. Did you find something to wear to the ball?”

Max had sent me on a dress-finding mission with Jack. “Jack is a surprisingly good shopping buddy. He waited patiently while I tried on about twenty dresses. Not much commentary from his end unless he liked something. Then his eyes lit up.”

I suspected Max had done more than send me with Jack. The dressmaker Jack had taken me to was extra fancy, and there were no price tags! As soon as I touched the fabric of the first dress, I’d started to sweat. It was silk and very heavy. I’d nearly walked right out the door, certain I couldn’t afford anything. But Jack had talked me into trying on a few.

Max grumbled, “I would have rather gone with you myself. This situation with my parents can’t be over soon enough. Aside from dealing with the city’s cold feet, I’ve spent most of my days talking my parents off a cliff.”

“You’re being a supportive son,” I said. “And that’s what matters.”

“I’ll tell them you think so. So far, they’re not impressed and still believe I should do more.”

I chewed the corner of my lip and hung a work dress on the rack. I’d finally put the clothes that were too large into a donation bag. “Do your parents know? About us?”

There was a pause. Long enough to indicate what was to come. “I plan to introduce you as my girlfriend at the ball.”

So he hadn’t said anything.

Just what every rich momma wanted—to publicly learn their son was spending time with the riffraff. “Is that a good idea? Your mom thinks I’m her plant lady.”

“This is all the notice she’s ever received regarding my love life. She’ll have to deal with the idea of us together, because I’m holding on to you for as long as you’ll have me.”

I smiled into the phone. “You’re pretty tough to put up with.”

His voice lowered. “But I haven’t shown you all of my charms. Give me a night or two, and you’ll be convinced.” More grumbling on his end. “Those articles ruined my plans.”

“Plans?” I asked.

“To convince you I’m a good guy and to let me stick around.”

I laughed softly. “I’m seeing a bit of that. You scored points with the carne asada burrito this week. That thing was amazing.” Max was probably the only rich guy who bought his girlfriend lunch from a taco truck. “Speaking of all you’ve done, I really want to pay you for the dress. The shop lady said the cost had been covered, along with the shoes.”

Flutters of panic rose in my chest when I thought about the cost of that outfit with no price tags, but I wasn’t about to go into the lion’s den of a ball unarmed, even if it took me a year to pay off.

“It’s my treat,” he said, “so don’t spoil it for me.”

I twisted my mouth, uncertain. It was strange having a man pay for something other than dinner, but I supposed couples did nice things for each other. And anyway, two could play this game.

“Well, I have a treat for you too. My phone call wasn’t only to check in. I also wanted to see if you have time to meet me on the rooftop.” I pulled the cell phone from my ear and checked the time. It was after ten p.m., but I wanted to support Max and make him smile.

“I always have time for you.”

“You ditched me the day the article came out.” Not that I held it against him, but I liked to rile him up.

He made a low growl. “My parents need to put out their own damn fires. I have a girlfriend to take care of.”