Unfortunately, she was supposed to be concentrating on brainstorming new group projects with him—not admiring the way his hair curled slightly at his neck or the way his button-down work shirt strained slightly at the buttons, as if his broad chest couldn’t be fully contained.
Definitely not.
“I’m on a break now.” She straightened from her spot on the tan suede sofa, resisting the urge to stretch despite the kink in her neck. They’d agreed—reluctantly on her part—to work together in the living area of the main house while the kids enjoyed their recreation time. They were nearby if the other counselors needed them but were still situated privately enough to discuss upcoming events without overeager young ears.
And without being too private.
She fought a blush, hoping he couldn’t read her thoughts as easily as he used to. “Faith is with the girls.”
“I know where she is.” Max grinned, and she quickly looked back at her notebook, which sadly held very few usable ideas. She just couldn’t concentrate with Max so painfully close. Not after finally admitting to herself what his proximity did to her, even this many years later. But after all they’d experienced and shared together, how could she be immune?
If she could concoct an ex-boyfriend antidote, she’d be a billionaire.
“I just meant you’re still working right now, helping me out like this, even if it’s not directly with the kids. Whenever Faith relieves you, it’s totally fine for you to go have some alone time, or visit your mom, or whatever you want.” Max leaned forward from his position in the recliner across from her and reached for his canned soda on the end table. “I know this job can be exhausting. I just don’t want you to feel trapped.” He winced. “Especially since you’re not getting paid.”
Good thing she wasn’t, or she’d have to refund every penny at the rate she was going. Maybe she’d covered some ground with Tonya originally, but she still hadn’t been able to confirm anything one way or another, despite days of surveillance.
As for her progress with Stacy, well, Emma didn’t know if anyone was capable of breaking down that stony exterior. At least she had Katie, who continued to be a bright spot in the camp.
“I’m not trapped.” The words felt like a lie leaving her mouth, and she drummed her pen against the notepad in her lap. She was, in so many ways. But that wasn’t really Max’s fault. “I mean, I know I can leave. I just don’t—” She caught herself before admitting she didn’t want to visit her mom. She cleared her throat. “I prefer to stay.”
The momentary smolder in Max’s eyes hinted at his seconding that particular choice, and she blinked quickly to bat it away. Glimpses of the old Max, the one she fell for so many years ago, kept sporadically popping to the surface, catching her heart unaware. Just when she felt her guard was firmly in place, he’d make an inside joke from back in the day or shoot her that wink that had once left her breathless, and just like that, her armor chinked. “Besides, you needed my help with this.”
Unless it was just an excuse to spend more time with her. She wouldn’t put it past him—the old Max had been incredibly crafty and manipulative when he wanted to be. Had that personality trait gone by the wayside when he’d cleaned himself up? How much personality went away when one made such dramatic life changes, anyway? Or did God just tweak it to be used for good instead of bad?
Good questions. Too bad God didn’t seem prone to give her direct answers anymore. She’d severed that connection with Him years ago, when she chose sin over what was right. When she succumbed to the same temptations she once judged in her peers.