Page 40 of Waiting for Sunshine

“Night, boss.” He nods to me, then directs his attention to Shane. “Night, Shane.” He winks at her and then holds up his hand as he walks back through the kitchen to leave. Shane buries her face in her hands and laughs.

“Oh, my God. Poor Jackie.” I grip her thighs in my hands and shake her a little to get her to look at me.

“Oh, please. That’s probably the most action Jackie has seen in over a decade.” I tease. Jackie is good people, he never married and always minds his own damn business, which I respect like hell. Shane laughs and rolls her eyes as her phone dings. She picks it up to check it and looks back at me, pulling in her bottom lip with her teeth.

“I should go, Taylor is being allmama bearon me about getting home because of how crazy people act on New Years.” She says with the corner of her lips turning down.

“Can I give you a ride?” I question, making her smile.

“Um, aren’t you headed out of town?” she asks, bringing a frown across her face.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Give me your phone.” I instruct, holding my hand out for it. She hands me her phone and I glance up at her and smile while putting my number in it.

“Here.” I hand her the phone back and she looks down at it and smiles. Then she furrows her brow.

“How have I worked for you and been going to the gym with you for a month and not had your number?” She asks, holding her phone up.

“I guess because we have a standing gym time and you’re the best employee and you never call out.” I tease, kissing the tip of her nose. She scrunches it up and then hops off the pool table.

“I better get going.” She says as she grabs her jacket from the wall.

“Let me know when you’ve made it home. Taylor isn’t the only one worried about you.”

“Yes, Max.” She says sweetly. I walk over to her, no longer caring if I invade her space. Not that I’d ever really let it stop me before.

“I’m serious Sunshine. I know how long it takes you to get home from here, and if I don’t hear from you in 20 minutes, I will show up at your door to make sure you’re in one piece.” My forehead is now touching hers and she looks up at me.

“I will. Pinky swear.” She smiles and holds her pinky up. I quirk a brow but wrap my pinky around hers and I kiss her lips one last time before she walks through the kitchen doors to leave. I take in a deep breath, letting the warmth of emotion travel through my body, then grab the broom to start sweeping all this goddamn confetti up, which I swore I wouldn’t be doing tonight.Dammit.

CHAPTER20

SHANE

Me

I’m home safe.

Max

Good girl.

When I get homefrom the bar on New Year's Eve, Taylor, Lauren, and Leah are all waiting eagerly to hear what happened in Max’s office and how the night ended.

“SHUT THE HELL UP!” Lauren yells.

“YES, BITCH! OH MY GOD!” Taylor joins in.

“Oh good, the crazies are riled up,” Leah says watching our other two best friends go absolutely batshit crazy.

“I know. I still can’t catch my breath. I mean, I had picked up some heat between us here and there, and I mean you guys even saw him wink at me before Christmas.” I say looking for confirmation. They all nod in agreement.

“But, now…” my face is as red as a tomato, I can guarantee it.

My best friends all let out loud shrieks, and I am right there with them.

I had sworn when I first got to Nashville that I was done with men. That they weren’t deemed trustworthy and would just end up hurting me in the end.

But after meeting Max, I’m certain this is where I was supposed to end up all along. He’s had my trust since the first night we worked together, and has earned it over and over again since then. He’s strong and brave, kind and protective. He’s everything I want to be around.

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