Page 2 of Max Bannon

She was trouble. Not in the reckless way. In theI might like having her around nakedkind of way. And that was dangerous.

Because I’d already loved and lost once, and it was too painful to go through again.

Because I’d already left behind my whole life to protect someone else's peace.

And yet, standing here in the middle of nowhere, with this slightly frazzled woman smiling at me like I was someone worth finding, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time.

Tessa

The inside of the large bed and breakfast was cozier than I expected—warm wooden floors, mismatched furniture that somehow worked, and the faint smell of coffee, leather, and… Max’s spicy scent.

I tried not to notice. Ifailed.

He carried my suitcases in like they weighed nothing and set them by the stairs. “You’ll be in the room to the right, it has the best view. I’ll carry these up for you. You’re welcome to stay here for as long as you want.

“Thanks,” I said, glancing around the common room. There was a fireplace, a big old bookshelf with actual books that looked like they had all been read a few times, and a couch that looked like it had been through a few battles and lived to tell the tale.

“Mrs. Smith said I had a cabin, but it needed some work done on it. So as long as I can stay here, that’s great. Of course, I’ll pay rent.”

“No you won’t pay rent. This comes with the job. I’ll give you a tour in the morning,” Max said. “Kitchen’s there. Back door stays locked after dark. Coffee’s non-negotiable at six a.m.” I made a mental note to pick up that stuff I dropped off at the cabin in the morning.

“Copy that,” I said, giving him a mock salute.

He looked like he wanted to smile again. But didn’t.

Instead, he gave me a short nod and disappeared into what I assumed was his office.

By the time I unpacked and made tea, it was nearly ten. I was too wired to sleep, so I wandered into the kitchen to explore.

I found the fridge, put my tea in there to chill, and accidentally left behind my keys, my phone charger, and a single sock I somehow removed during the process. Don’t ask.

I had no idea I was about to start a legacy.

2

Tessa

One week later, I was halfway through grading a stack of spelling quizzes at the kitchen table when Max walked in holding… my shoe.

Just one.

“You missing anything?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I glanced down at my feet—one shoe.

“Sorry,” I said casually. “I don’t usually lose my shoes,” I lied.

His mouth twitched. He held out the shoe. I took it very responsibly and set it on the floor next to my foot, as I glanced down at someone’s misspelled version ofadventure("advenchur").

“Was that in the fridge?” I asked.

“Front porch. On the grill.”

“Oh, good. I was afraid it might be somewhere weird.”

He folded his arms, that quiet intensity of his making the air shift. “You know I started a list, right?”

I blinked. “A list?”

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