Read Sammy in Italy (Single Wide Female Travels #2) for Free Online Page A

get too close to him. I told myself it was because I didn’t want to get his clothes wet, but I suspected it might be more than that. Max, my ultimate cheerleader and supporter, seemed to have no clue what I was facing.

Chapter 11

    After a very fast shower and a rush to dress, it was time to leave for the book signing. I gathered the few items that I thought I might need. Max sat on the couch and watched my every move.  
    “Ready?” I looked over at him.  
    “There’s a car waiting downstairs.”
    “Great.” I smiled and adjusted my purse on my shoulder. “Let’s get going.”
    “I’m not going.” He sat back on the couch.  
    “Huh? Why not?” My stomach twisted. Without Max there I would really be a mess.  
    “Because I think I’m part of the reason that you’re doubting yourself.”
    “Why would you ever think that?” I ignored the subtle tick of my watch. I needed to know what was bringing Max to that conclusion.  
    “I think you rely too much on me. I’m here to support you, to bolster you, but you shouldn’t need it. You should be able to provide that support to yourself. I always want to give it, but I don’t want you to rely on me for it. Do you understand what I mean?” He didn’t move to stand up.
    I stood near the door and stared at him. “No, not at all. I don’t understand why you would do this to me right now when you know I’m already having a hard time.” The anger that billowed in me carved my words into short snaps. “How am I supposed to make it through without you there?”
    “That’s my point exactly.” Max stood up and ran his hands down the sides of his jeans. “You act as if you need me in order to succeed. But you don’t. You’ve done all this yourself, and somehow you’ve lost sight of that. You shouldn’t need to make it through. You should be able to embrace it—”  
    “That’s a lot of shoulds, you know. I really thought you accepted me for me.” I stared down at my shoes. “I guess this trip is revealing more about our relationship than I expected.”
    “No. Don’t do that.” He walked over to me and caught my arms by the elbows. “Sammy, you may not understand it right now, but I’m doing this for you. That confidence, that shine in your eyes, has always been about putting one foot in front of the other. I don’t want you to lose that.”
    “Max, you’re not making any sense. Without you there this afternoon, I’ll be even more nervous—I’ll be even more likely to fall flat on my face.” I searched his eyes. “Please don’t let me face this alone.”
    “You never face anything alone. I will always be with you, even if I’m not there physically. But I really believe that this is something you need to do. I know you’re usually the one that figures things out, but just this once I’m asking you to trust me.” He rubbed my arms from my elbows down to my wrists. “Can you do that?”  
    A ripple of frustration nearly drove hurtful words from my lips. I wanted to tell him that this was the absolute wrong time to be pulling such a stunt. I wanted him to understand that his theory put me in an awful position. I couldn’t even imagine not having him at my side.  
    “Max.” I frowned and pulled away from his touch. “I want you there, but it’s your choice.”  
    “Sammy, I think I’m doing the right thing.” He set his jaw, but I saw it tremble.
    It bothered him to see me upset. If I turned on the waterworks he’d join me, no question. But I couldn’t do that to Max. If he didn’t want to be there, he didn’t want to be there. Without another word, I turned and stepped into the elevator. The entire ride down I expected him to text me—to ask me to wait for him. But he didn’t.
    When I reached the car I stalled for a few minutes. Still he didn’t call or text, nor did he come rushing out the door of the hotel with an apology on his lips. By the time I was settled in the car, I no longer wanted him to come. I didn’t