Page 50 of Maxwell

“I need your opinion,” Keisha said by way of greeting.

“About what?” Jasmine slipped the file she’d been carrying into the second drawer of the cabinet.

“The Bahamas.”

Jasmine walked over and took a look at the hotel on the screen, a property located on a beach with beautiful blue water kissing the sand.

“Marcus and I are planning our anniversary trip to the Bahamas, and he found this gorgeous hotel. It has great amenities and most of the reviews are positive, but the cost is more than we discussed spending. I’m not sure we should spend that much and suggested we find a cheaper hotel. Am I being too frugal?”

Keisha was the one in her marriage who kept track of the money and held the couple to a tight budget.

Jasmine examined the photos. “How much will staying there push you over your budget?”

“Seventy-five dollars a night for the four nights.” She showed her the price. “Of course, it’s our ten-year anniversary, so I’m not mad we’re doing something extra special.”

“Your tenth anniversary is a milestone. Four nights in the Bahamas for that price isn’t unreasonable. I think it’s worth paying a little extra for the experience. I say go for it. Spoil yourself.”

Keisha pursed her lips. “Marcus said something similar.”

“He’s not wrong.”

Her friend looked at the screen, and gradually, her furrowed brow cleared. “You know what, you’re right. It’s a gorgeous hotel, right on the beach, with lots of amenities.” She enlarged a picture that showed off the Olympic-sized pool. “We’re packing in a lot during the time we’re there too. Taking a cooking class, going to a club to party with the locals, and going water skiing.”

“Water skiing?” Jasmine asked, surprised.

“I want to try it. Marcus doesn’t want to, but I’m including it in our itinerary. He’ll thank me later.”

Keisha scrolled through more photos and showed Jasmine the bookmarked pages with ideas for their itinerary. She listened and asked questions, genuinely happy for Keisha but preoccupied by the conversation she intended to have with Maxwell before the end of the day.

“All done. We know where we’re staying,” Keisha said, bookmarking the home page of the hotel. She exhaled with satisfaction. Turning slightly in her chair, she gestured at the corner of the desk, where the Haworthia plant Maxwell had given her on his first day sat in its pot, upright and very much alive. “Look at my baby, still thriving. Marcus didn’t believe me when I said it was alive, so I had to send him a picture.”

“I’m proud of you,” Jasmine said.

“Who brings someone a plant on their first day of work? A very specific plant that won’t die at the hands of a plant killer?”

Someone who pays attention, Jasmine thought. Dr. Maxwell Santana.

“He’s something else,” Keisha added with fondness in her voice.

“Dad made a good decision hiring him,” Jasmine said, in her most neutral voice.

Keisha eyed her with interest. “Are you okay? You seem off.”

“Oh yeah, I’m fine. I have a lot on my plate, that’s all.”

“If you need help clearing your plate, let me know.”

“I will, but really, I’m good. I have everything under control.” That’s what she wanted to believe, anyway.

“If you say so.” Keisha swiveled her chair to face the computer. “I’ll have the intake forms entered before I leave today.”

“Thanks. I’ll be in my office if anyone needs me.”

Sitting behind her desk, Jasmine buckled down and started working. Well after closing, she was a bundle of nerves in anticipation of the conversation. Maxwell’s Range Rover was in the parking lot, but the rest of the cars were gone, which meant she and Maxwell were alone in the building.

Taking a cleansing breath, she walked down to his office and found him writing in his journal, the pen moving swiftly across the page as if he had to get his thoughts down before he forgot them. She hated to interrupt, but if she didn’t talk to him now, she wasn’t sure she’d have the nerve to do it later.

Before she said a word, he lifted his gaze. Clearing her throat, Jasmine closed the door and faced him. He set down his pen, offering his full attention, which made her more nervous.