THURSDAY MORNING ARRIVED and the house was in chaos. So much for Grace’s grand plan to pretend she was going to a “normal” job. She’d packed last night and set everything in the foyer, hoping her family would go about their day like regular folk. Her hope was for naught.

“Grace, honey,” her mother said, as she knocked on Grace’s door. “I made you breakfast.”

Grace laid her hand on her roiling stomach. “Oh, Mom, I’m sorry, I don’t know if I can eat anything.”

Her mom smiled. “You’re going to do great, you know. After a thorough check, Daddy feels sort of okay with you working for Max’s band... company... whatever they consider themselves.”

“You still never answered the question about how you guys have access to background information.”

“And I don’t think I will.” She took Grace’s face between her hands. “Guard your heart, sweetheart. I don’t worry about you the way I worry about Maggie, because you’ve always had a strong sense of discernment and you’re justice driven, but this boy is different.”

“Ya think?”

Her mom leaned against the bed. “That being said, try to give him the benefit of the doubt, okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“Not everything works on paper, honey. Sometimes, things that are delivered to us with a pretty bow aren’t always nice, and the gifts in a brown paper sack are better than we could have imagined.”

“Mom.” Grace sighed, but tempered it with a smile. “The problem is that Max is both the pretty bow and the brown paper sack.”

Her mom laughed. “Yes, I suppose he is. All I’m saying is that I get a very genuine vibe from him.”

Grace tapped her temple. “I have your blessing... got it.”

“No, I’m not saying that, Grace. Time will tell as to whether or not this is a good fit. I’m just saying he’s different, and I want you to be in the moment and enjoy yourself. Don’t cut this off at the knees before it has time to become something wonderful.”

“The problem with you, Mom, is that you’re a hopeless romantic.”

“I am now, but you should have seen what I put your father through. Good Lord, that boy had the patience of Job. I think I dumped him at least a dozen times before he proposed, and then broke off the engagement twice.” She shook her head. “He pursued me, honey. And twenty-eight years later, we’re more in love than we ever were. I want that for you.”

“And you think I’m going to get that with an entitled rock star?” Grace challenged.

“Maybe not, but you might get it with Maximilian MacMillan the man.” Her mother shrugged. “Just give him a chance.”

“This is all really interesting, Mom, mostly because you were never this open about Trey.” Grace shoved her laptop into her backpack. “I felt like I was constantly defending him.”

“That’s because when you befriend someone, you will defend them to the death, even to your own detriment.” Her mother raised an eyebrow. “Trey did a lot of lying, Grace. I’m not saying he was a bad kid or anything, but he was very good at playing the church game. Evasive and vague most days, and Daddy and I felt like we had to take much of what he said with a grain of salt. And then when it came out about his cheating...”

“I know, Mom. He was a dick. But he was the devil I knew, and for the most part, I could handle him.” She wrinkled her nose. “Is it ungracious of me to say I kind of kept him around so I didn’t have to deal with the dating scene?”

“Maybe at the beginning, but after everything that went down, I’m glad you didn’t fall head over heels for him. Max, on the other hand, seems different to me. So, be both open and careful...and use a condom.”

Grace gave her a thumbs-up. “Oh, that’s helpful, Mom. Thanks,” she droned.

Her mother laughed again. “It’s my job to help and guide.”

“So, what I’m hearing is, totally fall in love with the guy, but don’t get hurt...or pregnant.”

“Or an STD.”

Grace rolled her eyes. “Or an STD.”

“You got it.”

Grace snorted. “Mother of the Year Award goes to...”

“Come on. I made bacon.”

“Oooh, yay. Everything’s better with bacon,” Grace retorted.

“Yes, yes, it is.”

Grace followed her mother downstairs, stashing her backpack by her overnight bag and making her way to the kitchen. Before she’d even managed to grab a plate, her siblings started in with the third degree.

“When are they coming back through town?” Spencer asked.

“Can I come to Alaska?” Maggie inserted.

Grace picked up a piece of bacon and pointed it towards her brother. “I don’t know”—then at Maggie—“No.” She ate the bacon and grinned as Maggie groaned in disappointment.

She didn’t have much time to listen to the complaints of her brother and sister, as the doorbell pealed. “Saved by the bell.”

“You go, honey, I’ll clear,” her mother offered.

“Thanks, Mom,” Grace said, and rushed to the door. She opened it to find both Bruce and Max. “Well hi, you two.”

Bruce nodded with a smile.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Max said, and leaned down to kiss her.

Grace broke the kiss and smiled. “This is a surprise. I thought Bruce was picking me up. I wasn’t expecting you as well.”

Max grinned. “I want to spend as much time with you as I can before things get crazy.”

“Charmer.” Grace felt the heat creep into her cheeks.

“I also have some information for your parents. Are they here?”

“Dad’s still away, but Mom’s here.” Grace stepped back. “Come in.”

Max paused for a few seconds, glancing at Bruce, who nodded, before stepping inside and following her to the kitchen.

A clatter filled the room as Maggie dropped the plate she’d been rinsing. “You’re here again?”

“Maggie,” Grace admonished.

“Excuse my daughter, Max,” Lila said, and smiled. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Mrs. Wilson.”

“Would you like some breakfast?”

“I actually have already eaten, but thank you.” He set a manila envelope on the kitchen island. “I thought you’d like to have our itinerary and pertinent contact numbers while Grace is away. I’ve included my cell phone number and that of my brother.”

Grace’s mother wiped her hands and smiled, reaching for the envelope. “That’s very thoughtful, Max. Thank you.”

Grace caught her mother’s nod of approval and she couldn’t help but be impressed with Max’s thoughtfulness as well. “We should go, huh?” Grace said. “We don’t want to miss our flight.”

Max smiled. “Of course.” He faced her family. “Maggie, Spencer, good to see you both. Mrs. Wilson, always a pleasure.”

“Have a safe trip,” her mother said. “Call me as soon as you land.”

“I will, Mom,” Grace promised.

Max laid his hand on Grace’s lower back and guided her back to the foyer. Before they could exit the house, his phone rang. “Yes, Bruce. Damn it. Aye. Okay.” He raised an eyebrow at Grace. “Is there a back way out of here?”

“We could go through the yard gate, why?”

“Paparazzi.”

Grace peeked out one of the side windows to see Bruce battling with photographers and news people.

“Side gate, Bruce. We’ll meet you there.” Max hung up. “Sorry, love.”

“I’m actually surprised it’s taken them this long,” she admitted. “Especially, after the incident at the restaurant.”

“It’s my fault.”

“How come? I mean, outside of your obvious fame.”

“I should have never said your name on the news interview.”

“Right.” Grace nodded. That interview seemed ages ago. “I forgot about that. I suppose it’s not hard to find Maggie, Spencer, and Grace Wilson in Vancouver, Washington if someone has a mind to.” She smiled. “Yes, it’s all your fault.”

Max chuckled and glanced out the window, careful to stay as hidden as possible. “Bruce is gone, so I’ll follow you.”

Grace nodded and led Max back to the kitchen.

“Everything okay?” her mother asked.

“Paparazzi has found us,” Grace said.

“Seriously?” Maggie said, and smoothed her hair. “Want me to distract them?”

“Honey, you don’t want to feed the jackals,” her mother warned.

“But I look really good right now,” Maggie argued.

Grace rolled her eyes. “Mags, it’s not worth it.”

Maggie settled her hands on her hips. “And you don’t think they’re going to figure out that the side gate is going to be your exit of choice?”

“She’s got a point,” Max said, and grabbed his phone again, holding it to his ear. “Are we clear? Aye. Okay. We’ll go with plan B, just stay where you are.” Max hung up. “Bruce says they’re wrapped around the house. Every exit is covered.”

“Dang it,” Grace said.

“For the love and glory be. I’ll just take care of it,” Maggie said, and rushed from the room.

“You go,” Lila said. “We’ll cover you.” She giggled. “Oh, I sound like a cop right now.”

“I’ll help with your bags,” Spencer offered, and took Grace’s suitcase from Max. “You can dive into the car, and your driver and I’ll throw your bags into the trunk.”

Grace groaned. “You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?”

Spencer laughed. “So, so much, Gracie. Come on.”

He led them out the back slider and to the side gate. Before opening their escape portal, though, he pulled out his phone to snap a few pictures of him and Max together. “Now I have proof.”

“You’re an idiot, Spence,” Grace complained.

Spencer shrugged. “The idiot who’s saving your bacon right now.”

Max nodded. “Aye, you are, Spencer. And we both appreciate it.” He glanced at his phone and then at Grace. “Ready?”

“Um, sure. I guess.”

Max pulled open the gate, and in the midst of flashes and shouting photographers, guided Grace into the back of the car. Grace was grateful for the blacked-out windows as she secured her seatbelt.

“You okay?” Max asked.

Grace nodded. “Not sure I’ll ever get used to that.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to endure it for very long.”

The privacy glass lowered and Bruce faced them. “Everyone okay?”

“Aye, Bruce,” Max said. “Thanks.”

The driver nodded, raised the glass again, and started the car. Grace watched her brother talk to a few of the photographers, smiling as they took his picture. He was in his element.

Max took her hand and smiled, running his thumb across her knuckles as Bruce pulled away from the crowd, managing not to run anyone over.

Max lifted her hand to his lips. “How did you sleep?”

“Sleep?” she retorted. “What is this thing you call sleep?”

Max chuckled. “You’re not nervous, are you?”

She shrugged. “A little.”

He grinned. “You’re going to do fine.”

“I just know nothing about the music industry. Especially not at this level.”

“Kenna will show you,” Max assured her. “And if she doesn’t, I’ll sack her.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Not at all.”

Grace pulled her hand from his. “Don’t you dare do anything to her.” She narrowed her eyes. “Promise me you’ll stay out of it.”

He frowned. “If she disrespects you, I’ll not stay out of it Grace.”

“Wow,” Grace said in frustration. “You really don’t like her much, do you? What did she do? Wound your giant ego somehow? Huh? Kill your best friend? Or is it that she doesn’t kowtow to you?”

A darkness covered his expression. “It’s complicated.”

“Well, there’s obvious history there, but I need you to promise me that you’ll keep my business relationship with Kenna and everyone else separate from my personal relationship with you.”

Max gave her a slow smile. “So, you’re admitting we have a personal relationship.”

She let out a squeak of frustration. “You are an impossible man.”

He grasped her hand again. “An impossible man who adores you.”

Grace shook her head and turned her face toward the window in an effort to keep him from seeing her smile. He was such a puzzle. He treated her as though she were the most important person in the world, but failed to treat others with the barest of courtesy. She didn’t want to feel as though she needed to change him. She wanted him to be the best Max he could be, but she wouldn’t be able to stand by for long if his attitude towards others didn’t improve.

“I’ll try to stay out of your job, love,” Max said, after several minutes of silence.

“Thank you.”

He squeezed her hand and turned to the window. They didn’t speak again until they arrived at the private airstrip. Grace out of self-preservation, Max seemingly in the mood to brood. She felt a bit sick at the thought that he might be mad at her, but she needed to stick to her convictions or she’d be swallowed up with emotion. It would be too easy for him to sway her with a smile or a kiss. If they were going to have a relationship, it would be equal or nothing at all.

Bruce opened her door and Grace stepped onto the tarmac. Once Max retrieved her laptop bag, Grace followed him to the plane, stalling as they approached.

“Are you okay?” Max asked.

“I’ve never flown in a private plane before,” she said. “Is it safe?”

“I pay a bloody fortune to keep it in pristine condition, so it better be.”

She swallowed. “This is your plane?”

“Mine and Niall’s, yes.”

“Not the band’s?”

“No,” he said. “Niall and I own it together.”

She rubbed her forehead in an attempt not to panic. Just how much money does he have?

“Grace?”

She shook her head and turned to walk back to the car. However, she wasn’t quite quick enough and stopped short as Max stepped in front of her. “Hey. What’s the matter?” he asked.

“I think I should go home.”

Max set her backpack on the ground, reaching out to stroke her cheek. “Why?”

As soon as he touched her, she felt calm, which didn’t make any sense to her. “I just think you’d do much better with someone who knows what they’re doing.”

He sighed. “Come here,” he said, and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For barreling over you.”

She stared up at him. “Will you tell me why you’re so hard on Kenna?”

“One day.” He smiled and kissed her. “Do you still want to leave?”

“Kind of,” she admitted. “But I won’t.”

“Tell me if you do, love, okay? You have all the freedom in the world to leave if you’re uncomfortable.”

Grace snorted. “I’m not that shallow, Max. I’m not afraid of hard work...or work that makes me ‘uncomfortable.’ You, on the other hand, are a different story. You scare the living shit out of me.”

“Same, baby,” he said. “But I need you to know that I’m here, okay? I’m trying.”

She nodded.

“Your birthday doesn’t come fast enough,” he grumbled.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Nothing, love. I just have something planned.” He picked up her laptop and smiled. “Come and meet the band.”

Grace nodded and Max settled his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the stairs. He broke contact in order for her to walk in front of him, but as soon as they entered the plane, his hand returned. The simple gesture to Grace was both endearing and comforting. She didn’t have much time to dwell on her comfort, though, as the band walked toward her. She didn’t even have a chance to admire the spacious interior of the plane, but she did notice the homey feel...much more man cave, much less shuttle bus.

“Hey, you’re not late,” Niall said as he rose from his seat and greeted the couple. “Hello again, Grace.”

“Hi,” she said, and shook his hand.

“We must have you to thank for Max’s timely arrival.”

Grace smiled. “I don’t know how much control I had, but I’m happy to take the credit.”

Niall laughed and waved the band-mates over. “This is Oliver Bardsley,” he said. “Ollie plays bass, and this is Henry Keys, our keyboardist.”

Ollie was blond with light blue eyes and a ready smile. Henry, on the other hand, had bright red hair and a chiseled chin, reminding Grace of Eric Stoltz. Both men were almost as good looking as Max. Almost.

Grace shook their hands. “Is your last name really Keys?”

Henry laughed. “Aye, lass, ‘tis. My parents even tried to steer me toward sport, instead of music, but I think I was destined to play piano.”

“That’s awesome,” she said.

“Good morning, Kenna,” Max said, with a little less disgust than usual.

“Max.” Kenna smiled. “Hi, Grace.”

“Hi, Kenna.”

“I thought we could do a rundown of the show once we’re in the air,” Kenna said. “I have the arena layout and particulars about how we’ll set up the meet and greet.”

Grace nodded. “That would be great.”

She felt Max stiffen beside her.

“We’ll chat soon,” Kenna said, and headed to her seat.

“Do you want something to eat or drink?” Max asked once everyone else took their seats.

Grace smiled up at him. “I’m fine right now.”

He waved to two seats by one of the windows. “Let’s sit down, then.”

“Aren’t I sitting with Kenna?”

“I planned on you sitting with me,” Max said.

“I can’t go through the plan if I’m not sitting with Kenna, Max.” Grace held out her hand. “Why don’t you give me my laptop.”

He frowned. “You don’t need to sit with her, love. You can go over the plan anytime.”

“Job and relationship, Max. Separate, remember?” She thrust her hand out again.” You could always sit with us, you know. There are three seats.”

He sighed and handed her the backpack.

“Thank you,” she said. “Now, do you want to sit with us?”

Max shook his head. “I’ll sit with the band.”

“Suit yourself.” She smiled sweetly, and made her way to the seat next to Kenna’s.

Grace wasn’t entirely sure why Max couldn’t sit in the empty seat beside her, putting Grace in between himself and Kenna, but he seemed more inclined to wallow in his foul mood than to swallow his pride and sit anywhere near Kenna.

Max sat in the seat next to his brother, facing Grace. He glanced at Kenna, scowled, and then turned toward Ollie, who sat opposite him by the window.

“Sorry, Kenna,” Grace said.

Kenna smiled at her. “Don’t worry about it. Max and I have been going at it for years, and we’ll probably keep going at it until we die.”

“That sounds positively depressing.”

Kenna chuckled. “It’s not so bad. I can handle him, and the rest of the lads are lovely, so they make up for Max’s moods. But enough about Max. Let’s talk about the concert, eh?”

Grace nodded and pulled out her laptop.