Hello everyone! I'm terribly sorry for the month long hiatus. August is always a busy month for me. So you know, I am a college student and my schedule is very time consuming so if my updates take forever I'm sorry, just stay patient. I'm glad for the positive reviews so far! There is plenty more for this story so don't go away!
Chapter 8
Maxwell sat behind his desk while CC was seated on the green love seat across the office. He was buried in a script while awaiting an important phone call from London.
"Maxwell, I am coming with you next week to London, right?" CC asked.
Max looked up at her over his glasses. "Mm, yes. That is, if they agree to let us option their play."
"It'll be glorious," she drawled, looking out at the terrace. "You and me in London. Such a beautiful, romantic getaway."
"But, CC, you do realize this is only a meeting," he said, his eyes scrutinizing her from across the room. "Strictly business. We'll only be there a few days, hardly enough time for a vacation getaway."
CC tossed the folder of contracts down beside her. "I know, but that's during the day. After hours it'll be just the two of us."
Max paused mid page-turn then folded his hands in front of him. "CC, this is an important meeting. This play, if we can option it, will be our biggest success this year. I hardly think there will be time for sightseeing and romantic walks at dusk. Now, have you finished going over those contracts?"
CC averted her gaze from his. Why did she even bother anymore? He never paid her any attention unless it was business related. She might as well just disappear altogether. He wouldn't even notice anyway. "Yes, everything's written in, just as you asked." She handed him the folder then sat back down dejectedly on the leather sofa.
There was a knock and Niles strolled into the office, carrying a tray and a pot of tea. "Mr. Sheffield, Miss Fine is here," he said, taking his place beside the edge of Max's desk.
Max sat up straight in his chair at the mention of her name. He hadn't seen or heard from Fran since their lunch date a couple of weeks ago. "Oh. Was there something she needed?"
"She's taking the children to the beach today. I thought it best to let you know."
"Right. Of course."
Niles eyed his employer speculatively. He always seemed a bit off when it came to Miss Fine. "Would you like to see her? I can send her in."
Max continued to look at his hands as if they were the most fascinating thing in the world. "Um, yes, why don't you."
"Would you like more tea before I leave, sir?"
"Just leave it on the desk, Niles. Thank you, that'll be all."
Niles nodded as he set the tray down then turned to leave, but took a minute to properly greet Miss Babcock. "Well don't you look a sight for sore eyes," he said, gazing up and down at her dark pant suit.
CC gave Niles one of her twisted grins. "Says the man who washes his boss's underwear for a living."
Niles smiled back and cocked his head to the side. "At least I've actually touched a man's undergarments." With that he exited the office, hearing a distinct "Mr. Clean" comment being called after him.
When Fran entered his office, Max set aside the script he was reading. She sauntered around the edge of his desk and he silently appreciated the outfit she was wearing. A short white skirt with a pale yellow sleeveless top to showcase her toned arms and legs.
"Fran, it's good to see you," Max said, leaning back in his chair.
"Likewise." She gave him a wide smile and adjusted her sunglasses on top of her head. Not caring that CC was also in the room, Fran hopped up on the corner of Max's desk, crossing her legs in the process. "Maxwell, I thought you'd be joining us at the beach today?"
Max looked over at CC, caught off guard. "Oh, well, I wasn't aware you were taking the children to the beach."
"The kids didn't tell you?" Fran shook her head. "Never trust Brighton to pass along information." She laughed and Max could feel the heat in his cheeks. Whenever she let out that nasally laugh of hers it made his heart swell with emotion.
"Well, I think I can step out for a few hours. It has been a while since I've been to the beach . . ."
"But, Maxwell!" CC finally made her presence known. "We have a lot of work to do before London."
Max began straightening the papers on his desk as a distraction. "Yes, I know, CC. It's just . . . I'd like to spend a little time with my children, that's all."
"But what about the phone call?"
"CC, I'm sure you can handle it on your own. I'll only be gone a few hours."
CC looked away from him, knowing she'd been defeated, and settled her attention on the notes she'd been writing.
"Are you leaving now?" Max asked Fran.
"If you're waiting for a phone call there's no hurry. We can wait for you."
Max shook his head. "No, you and the children go. When I'm through here, I'll just meet you there, how does that sound?"
"Ok. But don't you show up in that fancy suit, mister." Fran pointed a finger at him.
He smiled at her. "What about you?" He gazed at her outfit once more, this time with a closer view. "Doesn't look too comfortable for the beach."
Fran leaned in closer next to his ear. "That's because it's underneath," she whispered. Max just stared back at her, his lips curling into a goofy grin. My God, the things she did to him. Or rather didn't do. She playfully chucked his chin with her fingers then slipped off his desk.
Max exhaled a long breath as he watched her leave. This phone call couldn't come sooner, he thought.
Maxwell slipped on the sunglasses he seldom wore as he made his way across Asbury Park. The sand on the beach was rough and warm as it sifted between his feet and flip flops. The shores of New Jersey were fairly popular and on a hot, sunny afternoon in June, colorful umbrellas and moving bodies spotted the lengthy shoreline.
Through shaded eyes Max searched for any trace of Fran or his children. He must have been walking the beach for a good five minutes, stepping over suntan-loungers and dodging frisbees, when he heard her familiar nasally voice.
"Max!" he heard her call out to him.
He spun around and spotted Fran waving an arm, motioning him over. He made the short trek to their spot and laid down his beach towel. When he set his eyes on Fran, this time at a closer distance, his heart nearly stopped. She was dressed in a simple black bikini, but there was nothing simple about it. It left little to the imagination and he could already feel his cheeks flush, not just from the sun's rays but from her sheer beauty.
"You made it!" Fran exclaimed.
Max smiled. "I wouldn't have missed it-"
"Daddy!" Grace raced over to her father and threw her arms around his waist, sending Maxwell stumbling back a few steps from the force.
"Hello, sweetheart!"
"Fran and I were making sand castles. You wanna see?"
Maxwell chuckled at his little girl's excitement. He followed her and knelt down to inspect her castle. "Why it's fit for a king!" he exclaimed. Grace laughed and Max began tickling her stomach.
"Daddy, stop!" Grace begged.
Max let her go then turned back to Fran. "Where's Maggie and Brighton?"
"They're out in the water," Fran gestured toward two figures bobbing up and down in the sea. "I'm surprised Maggie hasn't tried drowning Brighton yet."
"Yes, he is a handful at times." Max watched as Grace settled on adding to her sand castle before retreating back to their umbrella. He plopped down on his towel and leaned back on his elbows, making sure he had a clear view of the children.
Fran sat down next to him on the other side of the umbrella. "So tell me about London," she said as casually as she could.
At first Max was unsure if she said something as he was too engrossed with watching his children, but now she was staring at him. "Oh, right. It's just for a couple of days. A playwright in London wants me to produce their play, so I'm hoping we'll be able to option it."
Fran absently drew little circles in the sand with her forefinger. "CC sounded excited." She internally flinched at the note of jealousy in her voice.
"Hmm. Yes, CC will be accompanying me." He pulled up his sunglasses and noticed the forlorn look that crept across her features. "I mean, she is my business partner. There won't really be time for sightseeing or relaxing."
"Of course."
They grew silent for a few breaths until an idea popped into Max's head. "While I'm away, why don't you stay with the children? I'm sure they'd love that."
Fran brightened up at the suggestion. "Really? I'd love that too, but what about the nanny? Won't she be the one looking out for the kids?"
"Mm, yes, but you can visit everyday. Or even better. You could stay at the townhouse if you wanted to. We have plenty of guest bedrooms."
"Oh, Max, I don't want to intrude."
"But we're friends. And the children adore you. I think it would be a smashing idea."
"You really think so?" Fran wasn't sure. I mean, staying at his house? She loved those kids like they were her own, but living under his roof seemed too . . . personal. Plus, she already had an apartment of her own. "What if I think about it?"
"Alright. I'm leaving next week so you have plenty of time to think it over."
Fran nodded then reached for her suntan lotion.
"Here, let me." Max extended a hand for the bottle and Fran reluctantly gave it to him.
"Ok. You don't have to, you know. I'm fairly capable of applying it myself."
"I know," Max said as he gave her one of those looks. He then squeezed a pinch of the lotion on his hands then began smoothing it up and down her legs.
Fran watched him the whole time, inhaling a quick breath when he looked up at her. She could see a tiny sparkle in those green eyes of his. But, oh God, did he have wonderful hands or what? He was so gentle with her it hardly felt like he was touching her.
"On your stomach," he said.
"What?" Fran snapped out of her reverie as she was mesmerized by his massaging fingers.
"Turn over. Let me get your back."
"Oh." Fran turned over onto her stomach and closed her eyes. Boy, she could get used to this, she thought as he began lathering up the back of her legs.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"Of course. Why?"
"Oh nothing. You just look a little flushed. Is this the first time you've applied this today?" He held up the bottle of suntan lotion.
"Uh, yeah." She gave him a sheepish smile.
"Best to reapply it in another hour or so. I'm sure you'd rather not feel as if your skin were on fire." Max squeezed another dollop onto his hands and smoothed it over her lower back.
"No, you're right, I wouldn't." She crossed her arms and relaxed her head on the top of her hands, still watching him out of the corner of her eye. She started to fall asleep once he moved higher up to her shoulders.
"Ok, all done," Max announced as he snapped the bottle of lotion closed.
Fran mumbled something incoherent then turned and sat up.
"I think I'll go for a swim," Max said.
"Ok. I'll keep an eye on Gracie." Fran glanced over in Grace's direction. She was still playing in the sand. Good. Then she noticed Max unbuttoning the white linen shirt he'd been wearing. She couldn't help but stare. Those same fingers that just moments earlier massaged suntan lotion onto her skin were now unbuttoning his shirt. He wasn't overly muscular, but still looked to be in great shape for his age. And when he removed his shirt completely she appreciated the bulge of muscle in his arms and the tautness of his chest. Plus, the view of his backside as he waded into the water wasn't bad either.
Stop it! she chastised herself. You're an engaged woman, Fran Fine! To distract herself, Fran dug into one of the large beach bags she brought with and pulled out a tattered paperback novel.
"Fran!"
Fran looked up from her book when she heard Grace call for her. "What is it, angel?"
"I'm getting bored," Grace said as she came up next to Fran.
Fran gathered Grace next to her and wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulders. "Why don't you go swimming with your brother and sister? Look," she pointed to where Max threw Brighton into the water while Maggie laughed. "Your father's even having fun. I'm sure he'd love it if you joined them."
"But I want to stay with you." She looked up at Fran.
"Ok, angel. How about I come with you? We can wade in the water if you want?"
Grace nodded her head emphatically.
"Alright, come on." They stood up and Fran held out her hand to Grace where they linked fingers.
From the water Max watched Fran and his youngest walk hand in hand down the shoreline in ankle-deep water. He couldn't help but smile at the special bond between Fran and Grace. Now his little girl didn't feel so alone anymore. She now had someone he hoped would stay in her life for years to come.
"Dad, behind you!" Maggie shouted.
Max turned around to see Brighton coming at his legs underwater. He sidestepped him and when Brighton came up to the surface he was scowling and sputtering. "Hey! Maggie, that's not fair!"
Maggie stuck out her tongue at her brother and as punishment Max playfully spun his daughter around, in the process letting her fly and land with a splash. Then Brighton jumped on Max's back and the two stumbled underwater but came back up laughing and smiling.
When they all returned to the townhouse everyone was exhausted. Since Fran had taken the kids to the beach he insisted that she stay for dinner. She agreed but told him she'd have to call John first and let him know.
"I'll just be a minute," she said as she took the cordless phone with her into the kitchen.
Maxwell watched her go with a look of sorrow. It pained him every time to see her walk away; for he was afraid he'd never see her again or that she'd grow uninterested and forget him altogether. Then there was John. He clenched a hand into a fist at the mere thought of his name. He was jealous and he knew it. He loved Fran, finally comfortable with saying it in his head, but there wasn't much more he could do. Tell her how he feels, yes, but was afraid of how she would react. Dammit, he thought. What would Niles say about all of this?
"I'm going to go clean up and change," Max said when Fran returned from the kitchen. "Could you . . . ?" He gestured to the children, who were sitting on the stairs, hair still dripping wet and cheeks as red as lobsters. It had been a long time since the children have had so much fun it exhausted them. Yes, things certainly were looking up.
"Mm-hm. Come on kids, let's go upstairs and get changed." She started up the stairs and they followed close behind.
"Are you staying for dinner?" Max heard Maggie say. He smiled as he turned and headed for the back stairs in the kitchen.
After dinner Fran sent the kids up to bed then returned to the foyer to collect her bags from their day at the beach. She saw Maxwell lingering in the hallway between the living room and his office. He caught her eye and she pointed to her wrist to indicate the time. He nodded and met her at the front door.
"May I walk you out?" he asked.
"Certainly."
Max took her bags while Fran dug her keys out of her purse. She didn't own a car but borrowed her parents' temporarily for their trip to the beach. Once she unlocked the doors, Max carefully placed the two bags in the front passenger seat.
"So . . ." Max awkwardly stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked down at his feet. He didn't know what to say. Thank you? Goodbye?
"I had a great time with the kids today," Fran said.
Max glanced back up at her. "Yes. So did I."
"Thanks for letting me take them. If it was anybody else's kids . . ."
"No. Of course. Your welcome. You know you can see them anytime you want."
Fran silently nodded. "I, uh . . . We should do this again. I mean, with the kids. Maybe go to Coney Island?"
"Yes, we should." He paused then opened his mouth to say something else but thought better of it.
"Well, goodnight, Maxwell."
Max stepped closer to Fran. He reached up and caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. It was the perfect moment. Just the two of them on the sidewalk, daytime fading into dusk, the faint sounds of sirens in the distance. Tell her how you feel, his mind barked. But as he gazed into her dark eyes he knew this wasn't the right time.
"Goodnight, Fran," he said, letting his hand fall from her face.
Fran hesitated but took hold of one of his hands. She gave it a squeeze then leaned up on her toes and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. She stepped back and gave him a smile before ducking into the driver's seat.
Max waved while he watched Fran's car disappear down the street. As a slight summer gust of wind brushed his face, all he could think of was her.
