The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(98)

“I’d have to speak to work.”

“It’s late notice, but I think it would be good right now. And you just had the walk, right? Is it a busy time in the office?”

“It’s always busy in the office, but Monica knows I’ve had a shitty couple of weeks.” I dip my head. “I’m pretty sure Chelsea made a complaint about me the other day, and then work went missing from my computer this morning.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? Why would she complain about you?”

“I’ve just been struggling. I’ve been emotional and not on my A game.”

“Fuck her!”

I snigger, a smile pulling at my lips before I sober. “I’m sorry, Nina.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“I know it’s hard with Mason being connected to Ell; it’s one of the reasons I never wanted to start anything.”

“Luce, you could never disappoint me. I might not understand the decisions you make but believe me when I tell you, I will always stand by you. This is going to work itself out. It has to. It’s us. We don’t let shit get between our group.”

I pinch my lip between my fingers, feeling like there’s already a wedge in the middle of our pack.

“No more avoiding me!” she snaps, a lightness to her tone.

“Yeah, okay.”

I’d give anything to hug her. To go out for the evening and just dance and sing and be stupid.

When did life get so serious?

“Speak to work and let me know.”

“I will. And thank you. I really need you right now—this holiday with you.”

“We all do. It’s been too long.”





When I get home from work the next day, I find Max asleep in the bedroom. He works late into the night, so this isn’t a rarity. But with everything that happened with Alec last week, he’s been working more than ever.

I take a quick shower, trying to be as quiet as I can be before cooking us dinner. Maxwell joins me once it’s ready, and we sit at the kitchen island to eat our food.

“Good day?”

I nod, slurping the pasta into my mouth. “Have you heard from Polly?”

He shakes his head, and my shoulders drop. “Me neither. Not since Monday.”

“I’m sure she’s fine.”

“Why isn’t Alec bothered? I presume they argued, and that’s why she left.”

“It’s none of my business, and I like to keep it that way. Don’t worry about them.”

“It feels wrong, Max. I don’t know… I am worried.”

He sighs, dropping his fork and looking at me fully. “Polly will come home! She’s always been flighty, and you’ve not known her long.”

I frown and give a light nod, although I know he hasn’t known her all that long either.

“Look, Luce, it’s been a hell of a week, and I just need to sit with you and eat this lovely food. Can we do that? No arguments.”

“I was hoping to speak to you this evening.”

He looks at me with his tongue tucked behind his teeth.

“I’m going away with my friends,” I tell him, feeling too much of a coward to bring up what I’ve done.

“Where?” His frown is sharp, quickly forming and sticking in place as he watches me.

“The French Polynesia—Bora Bora.”

“What? When?”

I swallow, wiping my hands on my thighs. “Friday. I’m so ready to see them all. It’s been such a long time.”

“I was going to take you away.”

I snap my eyes to his. “What?”

“I was going to take you away. It’s kind of ruined now.”

“Oh…”

“Who’s going?”

“To Bora Bora?”

He nods as if of course that’s what he means.

“Um, everyone, I think. Nina, Mase, all the guys and girls.”

“Miller?”

My heart flips, then sinks to my ass. He’s never mentioned Miller in all the time we’ve lived together. I didn’t think he’d even remember the stupid white lie I told him. “No. Miller won’t be there.”

He nods, continuing to eat. “Good.”

I gently release a lungful of air and sit forward to eat my own food.

“I’ll come with you.”

I still, suddenly losing all interest in my meal. “What about work?”

“I can work from anywhere at the minute. It will be good to get away, and you’ve ruined my surprise now.” He looks at me with a smile, and I force one back. “You’ll have to go shopping for us. Take my card tomorrow. Treat yourself.”

I frown, trying to stop the tears from forming in my eyes as I nod. “Sure.” I fight to keep the word whole.

“You okay? You seem quiet.”

“I miss home,” I tell him honestly. “And I’m really worried about Polly.”

He takes my hand and squeezes it, reminding me that he is here for me. From the first time I touched down in New York, he’s been intuitive to my moods. And even when I couldn’t give him more than friendship in the beginning, he still showed up when I needed someone.