“Nothing Rachel couldn’t handle. My sister’s tough. But that’s no way to live.”
Max acknowledged that with a weary exhalation. “I agree.” He didn’t like the picture developing in his head. And it made him rethink how angry he’d been with her all those years ago for going back to her ex-husband.
“I guess it’s wrong of me to say bad things about him when he paid for my education and everything. That’s why I’ve been paying him back a little every year. I don’t want to feel indebted to him at all.”
“How much have you paid him?”
“Not much. About twenty thousand.”
Max whistled. “That’s a pretty big chunk for someone just out of school.”
“I still owe him almost eighty.” Hailey drew circles around the rim of her martini glass with her finger. “I wish I had it so I could be done with the guy.”
“Why did you agree to pay him anything?”
“When Rachel asked him for a divorce he made it pretty clear that he wasn’t going to let her go.” Hailey winced. “He agreed to let her have a divorce if I paid him back the money he’d shelled out for college.”
“That’s blackmail.”
“It was the only way he’d let her go without a major battle.”
Max was liking Rachel’s ex-husband less and less with each bombshell Hailey dropped. How had Rachel fallen for a guy like that? Granted, she’d been young, and probably a bit desperate, but had she mistaken gratitude for love? Or was he only hoping that her feelings for such worthless scum hadn’t run deep?
“Let me lend you the money to pay off Rachel’s ex-husband.”
Hailey looked appalled. “That’s not why I wanted to talk to you. What you must think of me.”
She looked ready to walk out on him. Max put a hand on her arm to calm her. The sisters were very much alike. He hoped her fiancé had a clue what he was getting into. “I think you’re charming. And crazy to repay someone like your ex-brother-in-law.”
Her features settled into a mutinous expression she’d learned from her sister. “I pay my debts.”
“Of course you do,” he soothed. “And that’s why I offered you the loan. Rachel’s ex sounds unstable. I would just feel better if he was out of both of your lives for good.”
Hailey shook her head. “Forget about me. It’s not me he’s harassing. Would you be willing to help Rachel in the same way?”
“Of course.” He was insulted she even needed to ask. “But she won’t tell me what’s wrong much less accept my help. In fact, we had a big fight about it.”
“But enough to break up over?”
“No.” But it was why he feared their relationship might be over. Pain stabbed his chest. “Why do you ask?”
“Because she’s been moping around lately like you two were done.” The look she leveled at him was fierce and concerned. “I hope you mean to stick around. The last time you walked away she was different.”
“I didn’t walk away. She did. She got in a car with her ex-husband. She left me.” Was he going to let her walk away from him again? The decision to fight for her had been gaining momentum in his subconscious. He might have noticed sooner if he’d stopped behaving like a pigheaded idiot. “Why did you assume I left her?”
“When we met, I recognized you from a picture she kept on her computer of the two of you. She hadn’t looked that happy since before Dad died. I couldn’t imagine her giving that up.” Hailey’s voice trailed away. She looked rattled.
As rattled as Max felt. Those days with Rachel had been the best moments of his life. But Rachel had gone back to her husband. And now he was back in her life again.
Max couldn’t lose her this time. “How can I help?”
“She borrowed money from Brody to start the business. He showed up a couple weeks ago to collect the full amount. She paid him, but I don’t think she had enough to pay him all of it.”
“Is that why he’s harassing her? How much is left to pay?”
“I think around twenty-five thousand.”
Peanuts. Such a small amount shouldn’t cause this much drama.
“Are you sure Brody’s hanging around because of the money she owes him?”
“Why else?”
“Maybe he wants her back. You said he was possessive and gave her a hard time about the divorce. So much that you two left town to escape him. If he tracked her down after five years only to call for the money she owes him, why hasn’t he come after you, too?”
Hailey’s eyes widened. “Do you think he might come after me?”
He hadn’t meant to upset her further. “Not if he hasn’t already. No. I think this is personal.” And if it was, Max was going to make sure Brody stayed out of Rachel’s life for good. “Do you have a phone number for this guy?”
“I took it off Rachel’s cell.”
“Give it to me. I’ll take care of him.”
Rachel’s office phone rang and her stomach dropped. Ten days had gone by since she’d gone with Max to his parents’ anniversary party. Two days ago Max had hired his new assistant. She hadn’t heard from him once since. Had her contact with him started and ended with his employment needs? If so, what had the amazing sex on Saturday night been about? Good-bye?
Hearing the phone ring had become torture. Any call could be Max. How should she act with him? Professional? Friendly? What should she say? Were they moving to a different level?
But he never called and she wasn’t sure where they stood.
Nevertheless, every time she picked up the phone, her heart lurched as if it was trying to escape her chest.
“Rachel Lansing.”
“Well, if it isn’t my beautiful girl.”
Rachel shuddered. Brody had always called her that and never meant it. She’d never been his idea of beautiful. Just his idea of someone he could manipulate.
“What do you want, Brody?”
“I want you to meet me.”
She rolled the phone cord around her finger. “Why? I already told you I can’t pay you anything. There’s no need for us to meet.”
“The guy I owe money to isn’t going to give up unless you tell him that.”
“Why do I need to tell him anything? And what makes you think he’s going to believe me any more than he believed you?”
“He just wants to meet you.”
Rachel didn’t like this one bit. “It has to be somewhere public.” With lots of security guards within earshot.
“How about that place in the lobby where your boyfriend works? We could have drinks. Catch up.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” The restaurant in the lobby of Max’s building? “Not there. Choose some other place.”
“Can’t. I already told the guy we’d meet in the bar. Be there at three.”
He hung up. Rachel stared at the phone in her hand, consumed by the urge to slam it repeatedly on the edge of her desk. Acid burned her stomach. What was going on? Had Brody told the guys about her connection to Max? Would they follow him to his car one night and