Page 14 of The Charming Checklist
“Yes. Is that a problem?” She crossed her arms.
“No.” He squinted. “You mean just because there are three others in town?”
“I have a plan.”
“You’ll need one.”
She snorted. “Since we’re busy stepping on dreams, why doyouwant to getmarried?”
“Does it matter?”
“It does to me if I’m going to fix you up with any of the classmates from my graduating Princeton class. I care about these women.”
“You went toPrinceton?” He gaped.
“Don’t look so shocked. My parents wouldn’t have it any other way. Since I was enrolled in SAT prep courses from the time I was ten, I did okay.”
“Ten? Wow. Even I wouldn’t do that to my kids.”
“So, you want kids.”
“Look, I’m thirty-four, and it’s time to settle down. I’m ready to be a father, and everythingaboutme is ready. My financial outlook. My future, secure. My heart, open. I stopped sleeping with random women a year ago. And I have a lot to offer the right woman.”
Ava fanned herself. “This is all so romantic. I’m getting a little hot. And how’s your IRA?”
He scowled. “These things are important in a solid marriage. And my IRA is well padded.”
“What about love?” Great, she sounded like a song.
“I’m sure that will come in time if I’m with the right woman. But I have to start with compatibility. Once we meet, there should be sparks. Or something.”
It sounded as if he were ordering a meal.Add some sparks in, would you, a little chemistry on the side?“Who knows? Maybe with the right woman, you won’t care so much about her stock shares. I’m just thinking out loud here.”
He didn’t miss her sarcasm. “Are you going to do this or not? I could ask Valerie, but she’s worse than you are when it comes to romance. I trust you more, especially now that I know you graduated from Princeton. Youmustbe smart.”
Attraction to this man had become a distant memory.
He was callous, arrogant, and she wondered if, like the Tin Man, he didn’t really have a heart. “Fine! I’ll do it.”
He stood. “Text me the details of dinner. I promise before the night is done your family will be impressed.”
“I have no doubt, Romeo.”
He walked out the door, taking her plan with him, and leaving Ava fuming. She’d just met the real Max, the worst male specimen she’d ever known. He might be a savvy entrepreneur, but he would make someone a horrible husband.
She watched as outside, he stood at the crosswalk, head bent, waiting for the light to change. When Mrs. Barrett came around the corner from the store carrying two paper bags, he took both from her, tucking the business plan under one arm. Then he crossed the street with Mrs. Barrett, still not smiling, while the elderly woman tucked her arm in his.
Okay, so maybe not theworstman on earth.
Chapter Five
Ava found exactly the right woman for Max and he probably deserved her.
She and Mercedes Ewing sat in a booth at the Salty Dog, a venue Mercedes had immediately declared perfectly adequate, though rustic. Ava had made sure to sit them at Valerie’s table, who was working a shift tonight.
Valerie happened to be the best waitress here, even if she was actually a third-grade teacher who only filled in as needed now. Point being, she was also Ava’s best friend, and would be her eyes and ears tonight. Max had asked Ava to make herself scarce after introductions, and he’d take it from there.
“I can’t believe it’s been five years since we spoke,” Mercedes Ewing said, sipping her cosmo. “I see your family regularly at all the big charity galas.”
