Page 27 of Max's Mission

“Actually, I think I’d like the company.”

Eleven

Surprise rendered Max speechless momentarily. She wanted to eat with him? He knew she’d seen him long before he saw her. From her vantage point, it would have been impossible not to.

So, what had changed that she no longer wanted to be alone?

He didn’t have the answer and wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Okay. The food is in my room. Do you want to eat there, or do you want me to bring it to you?”

“Would you mind bringing it to my room? I’d like to put on some sweats. These jeans are chilly.”

“Sure. Unlock the connecting door?” He took a step toward his room.

She nodded. “Yep.”

Turning away, she went into her room. Max entered his and immediately removed his coat, draping it over the desk chair.

The room smelled divine. He’d found a local place that served just about everything and ordered them each some salmon. They were used to fresh seafood nearly every day. He didn’t know about Margot, but he missed it, and they’d only been gone a couple of days.

Removing the to-go boxes from the bag, he opened one to check the temperature. The food had cooled off significantly since he brought it back.

Not a problem. He’d just pop the cardboard cartons in the microwave. Margot needed a few minutes to change, anyway.

Once he’d heated both boxes, he put them back in the bag and opened the connecting door. With a quick rap of his knuckles on hers, he twisted the knob and walked in.

The room was empty.

A quick glance around the corner revealed a closed bathroom door. The light shone through underneath.

“Food’s here,” he called.

“I’ll be out in a second.” Her muffled voice came through the door.

Max set the bag on the desk. By the time she emerged from the bathroom, he had the boxes out and was busy opening utensils.

“That smells great. Fish?”

He nodded. “Salmon. I know it’s different from what we get at home and not as fresh, but I was craving seafood.” He handed her a box and a utensil set.

She took it with a smile and climbed up on the bed to sit cross-legged. Max sat in the desk chair, spinning to face her.

“Have you warmed up?”

“Mostly.” She flipped open her to-go box. “Hot food will finish the job. Thank you for getting it.”

“Not a problem.” He lifted the lid on his own dinner and speared a chunk of fish with a plastic fork. “So, how are the girls? Have you talked to Annabeth?”

Margot shook her head as she swallowed a bite. “She texted me some pictures. I don’t think they miss me at all. They were at the beach, sand buckets in hand.”

Max grinned. “Did Emily bury Dean?”

Margot laughed, the sound warming Max’s insides. “I’m sure she tried. She’d need a substitute with you gone.”

He chuckled. “Well, soon enough, she can go back to dumping buckets full of it onto my chest.” Seafood wasn’t all he missed about home. It still astonished him how much he missed the girls when he wasn’t there. In October, when he’d been in the States with Sam and Dean, he’d lived for pictures from Margot.

“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for letting me be such a big part of their lives.” He tried to keep the statement casual by scooping up a forkful of rice. He didn’t want to make things heavy, but he wanted her to know how much he appreciated her and the twins in his life. It was something they never really talked about.

Margot toyed with the food in her box. She cast a quick glance at him through her lashes. “I should be the one thanking you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She looked up, meeting his gaze. “That’s the honest truth. I don’t know why you want to be friends with a divorced mom of twin toddlers, but I’m grateful.”

---