Chapter 40: Who Did It??

Maryanne knows that she has been avoiding Max the best she can, but after their conversation the night before, she has come to realize that she has been allowing Daniel’s words to dictate her actions. Sure, she wants Max to be as successful as he can be, but how does Daniel know that he can’t do that and be with Maryanne? She doesn’t completely believe that Max was telling the truth when he whispered he loved her in the theatre room on Christmas, but she is hopeful that she can make their interactions less forced.
Breathing in deeply, facing the door to Max’s study, Maryanne brings her hand up and knocks. “Max,” she says as she slowly opens the door.
“Yes,” he says, but continues to stare down at the paperwork on his desk. His one elbow is resting on surface while his hand holds his head up.
“I am sorry to bother you,” she speaks softly, her feet shifting back and forth as she is not sure what to do as she stands before him. Her nerves tighten as she wonders if he will even say yes. Why should he? She has given him every reason to be wary of her conflicting actions. One day she doesn’t want anything to do with him, and the next she throws herself at him. Well, she wouldn’t say those words exactly.
Max glances up at her, even though his face is still turned down, “Maryanne, you never have to apologize for that.”
She smiles, holding her elbow nervously, “It’s a habit, sorry.”
“Maryanne,” Max breathes out as he laughs softly at her.
“Oops, so—oh,” Maryanne pauses, not sure whether to laugh or run for the hills. Why is she being so awkward around him right now? It’s just Max.
Max finally drops his pen and leans back in his chair, continuing to watch her. “What did you need?”
“I have a question more than anything.”
“Okay.”
As Max nods, the room falls into a heavy silence and Maryanne begins to have doubts about asking.
“By all means, you can definitely say no. There is no pressure in having to come with. It is a stupid offer anyway. I don’t even know why I thought of it. Never mind, just forget I said anything.” She shakes her head and pivots away about to run for the hills.
Max presses down on the desk about to stand and stop her. “Woah, wait. Maryanne, calm down. You never even asked the question. Just slow down and say it. I promise I won’t be rude about it, even if I don’t want to do whatever this offer is.”
“Oh, right. Sorry, oh.” Maryanne refuses to look at Max as her entire face burns up. “Um, I just figured since we always spend so much time on Riley and we never actually get time to ourselves, that it would be nice to go out, just the two of us. It’s not a date or anything. Just two guardians getting some fresh air and forgetting that they have a child at home.”
Max waits for a moment before answering, “So, a date?”
“No! Max, I just said it wasn’t a date.”
His lips curl into a grin as he raises his hands to stop her anger, “I know, calm down. I like messing with you.”
Maryanne allows her shoulders to slump and she takes a step away, toward the door. “Really, this was a bad idea. Forget I even mentioned it.”
“No, no. I love the idea. I have been working a lot lately and I could really use the night out. Even if it isn’t a date, per say.”
“Are you sure?” Maryanne remembers Daniel’s speech from Max’s office and her heart sinks. What if this is one of the reasons why Max isn’t focusing on work? It isn’t a date, she made sure to mention that, but it might still be a hinderance. It is still possible that Daniel will consider a date.
There is no reason he should find out though. This is Maryanne’s life and wanting to spend time with her co-parent. Nothing more. Especially since they might only have a little more time together.
Max’s brows furrows as he watches her, “Maryanne, of course I am sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”
She mumbles, “I don’t know.”
“What time did you want to go?”
“Tonight, after work? Just around town here. I prefer the small-town atmosphere than the big city.”
He nods, laughing, “I know you do. That works for me. I’ll try to make it back early too.”
“No, please don’t force yourself. I don’t want you leaving work unfinished.” Maryanne can just imagine Daniel’s reaction.
“Maryanne, it’s my company. I think I can leave a little early if I want to.” Max cocks his head to the side.
There is a soft vibration that echoes through the room. Maryanne glances around, trying to find the source of the noise.
“Oh, it’s my phone. Looks like someone is calling me. Could you grab it for me?” Max points at the small table across the room where his large smartphone resides, rattling on the wood.
“Uh, yeah, okay.” She walks over and picks up the phone. She looks down at the caller ID, but the number isn’t saved. She frowns as something is piqued in the back of her mind. 1033. Those four digits look oddly familiar to her. Where has she seen them before?
“Who is it,” Max calls over to her.
“Oh, um, I’m not sure. The number isn’t saved.” She hurries back to his desk and hands him the phone. Their fingers brush and she tries not to gasp at the sensation as it is amplified by the phone vibrating and shakes her core.
“Oh, I missed it. It looks like it was from Daniel.”
Maryanne tries not to frown, “Why haven’t you saved his number?”
“It’s his second phone. He keeps it a secret from his wife, so I haven’t saved it into my phone yet.”
“So he’s messing around behind her back.”
“She knows, obviously. She just wants to stay married to him for the money. Nothing more.” Max simply shrugs.
Maryanne nods, but remains quiet. She can’t shake the feeling that she knows that number from somewhere, but where?”
Max clears his throat, “Alright, I have to finish this paperwork before heading into the city. I’ll see you tonight?”
“Okay.”
“Maryanne,” Max calls to her before she can completely leave the room.
“Yes,” she pauses, holding onto the frame.
“Thank you for inviting me out.”
“Of course,” she smiles back at him before shutting the door behind her.
Maryanne pauses halfway down the hall as an odd unease fills her chest. She quickly pulls out her phone and scrolls through her messages. She hasn’t changed her number in years and rarely ever deletes messages. She continues to swipe, all the way and only pausing when she comes across a number that she hasn’t saved in her contacts. It isn’t until she reaches five years that she realizes that she had received a message from Daniel’s secret phone.
Her hands shaking, she clicks the message. Up pops the pictures of Max and the women. The ones that had forced Maryanne to stop talking to him.
So it was Daniel who had sent her those pictures.