Maxwell
“Bigcrowdtonight,”Sean observed as he watched Maxwell take the plastic off another leather swivel chair.
“I know,” Maxwell said. “I’m going to have to run a second game; I had to turn a few people away.”
“Practically running your own casino,” Sean raised his eyebrows, but he was smiling. “Seems like a good job for you.”
“Hardly my own casino,” Maxwell scoffed. “Social club, maybe. I don’t turn a profit running these games.”
“Oh, so they’re a community service, then? How very benevolent of you.”
“I’ll leave the benevolence to you and your ethical blood sourcing,” Maxwell grinned. “I think it’s good, though. Giving the paranormal community – and some of the humans – a chance to get together.”
“I think it’s been a very good thing,” Sean said thoughtfully. “And you seem happy.”
“I am,” Maxwell agreed. “Very happy. Who knew Crowley Lake was the perfect place to call home? Not me, that’s for sure.”
“All it took was the perfect realtor,” Sean winked at him.
“Very true.”
Maxwell heard the door open, and a few moments later, Charles appeared. He helped himself to a tumbler of Maxwell’s best whiskey and sat down heavily in an armchair. “What a day!” he exclaimed. “Good to sit down.”
“What a day?” Sean repeated, mocking. “You never do anything!”
“That’s very rude,” Charles said, pointing a finger at him. “You know I help Noah at the distillery sometimes when he’s short-staffed.”
“So you’ve been doing manual labour, then?” Maxwell looked at Sean, and they exchanged a snort of laughter.
“Not exactly,” Charles waved a hand. “I’ve been talking to your honey bun, actually. I’ve leased that old industrial building just off Bailey Street. I’m opening a club!”
Maxwell let out a sound of surprise. “Wow,” he said. “All that because I wouldn’t give you the game?”
“Crowley Lake needs a decent nightclub,” Charles shrugged. “We’re getting more and more Sydney people here, even just for weekends, and their pockets run deep. Thelema closes at twelve, which is disgustingly early, and the Three Bears is only open until one on weekends. I’ll do Thursday to Sundays for the humans, and private nights on Wednesdays, for our lot.”
“Wonders will never cease,” Sean said. “I’m pleased for you, mate.”
“Damn, it wouldn’t have been such a struggle to decide to stay here if I had known there’d be a nightclub,” Maxwell joked.
“Oh please,” Charles waived a hand. “You’d live in the North Pole if Chloe did.”
“True,” Maxwell said, grinning happily. “And speak of the devil. Though she’s more of an angel, actually.”
Charles pretended to vomit into Maxwell’s decanter as he helped himself to more whiskey. “You’re disgustingly happy,” he said. “Revoltingly.”
“Well, hello everyone,” Chloe said, coming into the library and setting down her bag. She made straight for Maxwell, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him long and deep, despite the onlookers.
“Hello, Chloe,” Maxwell said, squeezing her tight against him.
“Are we going to be blessed with your presence tonight, then?” Charles asked.
“Nope,” Chloe said. “I’ve got—”
“Work?” Sean supplied.
“No, actually,” Chloe said. “I’m going to dinner with Julia and the kids. And I’ve been interviewing people today. You know, someone to do showings for me, someone else to do the admin. So I have more time for other things.” At the words ‘other things', she winked at Maxwell. Charles pretended to vomit again.
“You’ve changed,” Sean observed. “Both of you. But I think it’s for the best.”
“Oh, it definitely is,” Chloe said. “Amazing what being in love will do for you.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Sean said quietly, and Maxwell shot him a sympathetic look. He was sure that Sean could get a whole string of women in a human heartbeat, but his friend was extremely conscious of his scars – and Maxwell suspected they weren’t just on his skin.
“I should go and get changed,” Chloe said, breaking the awkward silence. “I’m far too professional for a night with the kiddos.” She tugged at the neckline of her grey sheath dress.
“Before you do,” Maxwell said. “I’ve got something to show you. Sean, make sure Charles doesn’t drink everything before my guests arrive.”
Sean snorted and gave him an ironic salute while Maxwell took Chloe’s hand and led her out of the room.
“What do you have to show me?” Chloe asked. “Is it a surprise? A sexy surprise?” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Not very sexy, I’m afraid,” he said. “But I think you’ll like it anyway.” He led her down the hallway to a room they never used.
“What’s in here?” Chloe asked, frowning. “I thought it was the breakfast room.”
“It was,” Maxwell said. “Go on.”