Page 10 of Max Bannon

“Maybe,” I murmured, brushing past him into the living room where a fire was already crackling in the stone hearth. It cast a soft orange glow across the room, like we were living inside one of those cozy cabin romance books.

Max followed me and dropped onto the couch, stretching his legs out like a man who’d fought a war and a goat today, which, to be fair, he had.

I curled into the corner opposite him, tucking my legs beneath me. “I still can’t believe we chased a goat.”

Max sipped his tea. “That wasn’t even in the top five weirdest things that have happened since I moved here.”

“Oh yeah?” I said, tilting my head. “Do I make that list?”

“Youarethe list.”

I laughed softly, then sipped my tea to hide the blush I could feel blooming in my cheeks.

The fire popped and crackled, and for a minute, we just sat there in the warm quiet.

“You know,” Max said after a moment, his voice softer, “when you told me you were a brain surgeon, I didn’t know what to think.”

“Let me guess. You assumed I was just a quirky teacher who couldn’t keep track of any of her things, and fell into beehives?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to. I could see it in your face.”

“I just didn’t expectyou,that’s all.” He glanced over at me, his expression unguarded. “You walk around like you’re a walking mess, but I don’t think you are. I think you’ve held so much in for so long, you forgot how strong you are.”

And just like that, my throat went tight.

“Max,” I said, barely a whisper.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he added quickly. “I just wanted you to know.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and smiled. “Okay, but… fair warning. I’m still the person who forgets where her belongings are.”

He grinned. “Yeah, I figured that out.”

“Also, I might be emotionally attached to a goat named.”

“I noticed that, too.”

Silence stretched between us, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was that kind of silence that buzzed a little. That leaned closer than it should.

I looked at him. He looked at me.

And for a second, I thought he might kiss me.

Then we heard something outside. “I think the goat is back,” Max whispered. He messed up my moves.

I burst out laughing and nearly spilled my tea. “Yourmoves? Were you about to kiss me?”

“Maybe,” he admitted, eyes still locked on mine.

I felt my heart flip like a gymnast. “Then you better hope the goat stays quiet for the rest of the night.”

Max leaned back with a slow smile. “Challenge accepted.”

The noise on the porch went quiet.

Max raised his brows. “Do you think he’s asleep?”

---