I’d never officially met Max, but I did know Victoria and Penelope. Once we said our official goodbyes to Mo, Billy, and everyone else, we rode the elevator to our floor in the hotel - which conveniently, was right on the beach - and started packing. Thea was excited to hang out on a yacht with a friend from school. Max would call Will once his yacht was in the harbor. We would leave tonight, saving Will two hundred dollars in gas, not that money mattered.

I only had a few outfits to pack, so once we reached the hotel room, I immediately showered, washing my makeup off. I made it a point not to get my hair wet, however, just because I didn’t want to sleep with wet hair. I tried to hide in the shower as long as possible. It made me a wimp, I knew, but I could not face Will right now.

When I was forced to turn off the water, I did so. I heaved a sigh, dried off, and threw on an oversized sweater and yoga pants. Not nearly as sexy as my dress, but I didn’t care. I was comfortable to the point that I could easily fall asleep the minute I boarded the yacht. I didn’t want to hang around for another awkward conversation with Will, especially since we solved nothing in the hotel garden.

Thea couldn’t stop talking as we made our way to the lobby of the hotel where Will went to checkout. When he came back, he gave me a tight-lipped smile and we proceeded to exit through the back of the hotel and make our way to the docks. The walk was quiet, the night cool. I was glad I grabbed a sweater, even though Mo insisted that Southern California had one season and one season alone - seventy-two degrees. It was still late spring which meant chilly evenings - usually. The weather in Southern California was known to change its mind at the drop of a hat, I’d heard. It was also why I insisted Thea bring at least one sweater, which she was wearing now, over her pajamas. The only one not wearing a jacket was Will.

“There he is.”

I looked to where Will stared and my eyebrows shot straight up. There was a huge yacht with one person leaning against the railway. He held a glass of some sort of beverage in one hand, and when he noticed us arrive, he raised it, as though he were giving us a mock-toast.

So, this was the notorious Max.

We boarded the boat - yacht, I had to keep reminding myself; I didn’t want to offend anyone - and I kept a tight grip on my purse. Not because I was afraid someone would take my things but because I didn’t like water all that much. I could deal with it, certainly, as long as I didn’t think about it.

“So, this must be the renowned Beatrice,” Max said with a smile once we were safely on the yacht. “Tori has told me so much about you.” He glanced down at Thea. “Hey peanut, Penelope is in the game room. I think she’s playing some dance game if you want to join her. You guys can bunk up.”

Thea let out a shriek of excitement and ran off.

At that moment, Victoria - whom I had never pictured with any sort of nickname, much less Tori - walked up with a glass of wine. She was in a smart, white dress, perfect for being on a yacht. Her strawberry blonde hair was pulled away from her face, but rested on her shoulders. When she saw Max, her entire face lit up. Despite having an audience, Max didn’t refrain from sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her close to him, giving her a lingering kiss on her cheek.

“Bea, I’m so glad you could come,” Victoria said with a smile.

I forced a smile in return. Was it wrong that I was jealous of Victoria and Max? Of the easiness of their new relationship, the sparks that seemed to sizzle between them? I didn’t even have that with Stan when I was with him and the thought made me sad. I wasn’t bitter, but I did want to experience such a thing. Though I hadn’t known her for long, I had never seen Victoria this happy before, and I was so, so thrilled for her. But I could not help but yearn for the same thing for myself.

The past few weeks, I thought that might be possible with Will. The truth of the matter was, however, I didn’t think that was the case anymore.

In fact, while Victoria fell easily into Max’s arms, a graceful smile on her pretty face, Will and I stood a foot apart, our bodies leaning away from each other.  If that wasn’t a telltale sign of where we were, I did not know what was.

“I know it’s late,” Max said. “Why don’t we get you guys settled? If you’re up for it, we have wine. If not, there are beds. We do have you in the same room. Hope that’s okay.” He glanced over at me and stepped forward. “Beatrice, where are my manners? Let me get that for you.” He took my bag and I could see Will roll his eyes next to me.

I didn’t think he directed it at Max. It was more of an I should have thought to grab your bag sort of reaction.

“This way,” Max said, turning around and leading us off the deck and down the stairs.

He had us together in a small room. Max placed my bag in a small closet and Will dropped his on the chair. The bed was barely passable as a queen, and I highly doubted either one of us wanted to sleep on the rocking floor. The thought nearly made me vomit. I did not do well on boats - yachts.

“So,” Max said from the doorway. “Wine?”

“I think I’m going to turn in,” I murmured. I still couldn’t take my eyes off the bed and how small it seemed.

“I’ll take some wine,” Will said as he all but sprinted out of our room.

Max offered me a smile and shut the door, leaving me in the bedroom alone.