Page 78 of Maxwell

“I don’t think so. I need your list, or at the very least an estimate of the number of people you plan to invite. Then I and the event planner will determine if the party room is big enough. One thing I will not do is have our guests crammed into a small, uncomfortable space. There needs to be enough room for everyone, the food, and maybe a little dancing.”

Benicio didn’t say a word. She was already thinking they would need a space bigger than their party room, and he was perfectly fine with that.

Rose rested her head on his shoulder again.

“What did you think of Jasmine?” he asked.

“She seems nice,” she said carefully, as if still forming an opinion of the young woman.

“Did you hear what Maxwell said in the kitchen? That she was his only girlfriend?”

“I did.” Rose lifted her head again to look at him. “Were you as surprised as I was?”

“I think everyone in the kitchen was surprised.”

“She must be something special.”

“Based on my conversation with him, she is. I think she will be good for him.”

Though he had been proud of Maxwell’s dedication to becoming a doctor and doing work to improve the world on his own terms, he had not been as pleased with the way he handled his relationships. As a matter of fact, he had been concerned from time to time that the games Maxwell played could backfire and cause problems.

“You’re quiet,” Rose murmured. She rested her head on the pillow and watched him.

“I am thinking about Maxwell. All of our other kids have found their life partners. He is still young, but I wish the same for him.”

“He’ll find his way eventually. You did.”

He stroked her soft cheek with a finger. “I was foolish to ever let you go.” He paused. “Do you remember the first time I asked you to marry me?”

She smiled sweetly. “I thought you were crazy, being willing to take me on with my three children.”

“I knew you were the right woman for me, and that hasn’t changed. When I think of everything we have, my greatest happiness is related to our family. All of our grandchildren and the success of all of our kids in their endeavors. We did a good job, don’t you think?”

“We did a fantastic job.” She tucked herself back under his arm.

“Are you ready for the next thirty years and what they will bring?” Benicio threaded his fingers through hers.

“I’m ready for anything, as long as you’re by my side.”

Rose briefly kissed his mouth, and he kissed the tip of her nose.

“I love you, mi amor.”

“I love you too.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Feet tucked under her on the sofa, Jasmine stuck her hand in the bowl of popcorn as she and Maxwell caught up on episodes of Temptation Island.

She groaned. “She knows. Look at her face. She knows what Aaron did.”

“She’s going to forgive him. Watch. She wants that ring more than she cares about his behavior, and then she’ll cry about it in the confessional.” Shirtless and wearing cargo shorts, Maxwell reached into the bowl between them and grabbed a handful of popcorn.

“I hate to admit it, but you’re probably right. No one on this show makes good decisions. It’s so messy.”

“Yet here we are, four episodes deep into the new season, being judgmental.”

“Your fault. You wanted to check it out, and now we’re hooked.”