Page 43 of The Charming Checklist
“Okay.” If this would get Valerie to let her go, Ava would agree the earth was flat and deal with it later.
A few minutes later, they were on their way in Max’s convertible, the night outside cool and calm without a cloud in the sky. This felt similar to the night of her birthday, with a notable exception. Max held her hand the entire time. And she was looking forward to tonight, unlike when she’d faced her family’s metaphorical firing squad. Excitement bubbled up, mixed with a dash of fear. It was similar to standing in line for a particularly dangerous amusement park ride. You knew you wanted to go, knew it would be fun, but you were also afraid you might chicken out halfway through.
Max lived in a home within walking distance of the beach. She’d been to his home once with Valerie and Cole. Tonight, she appraised it all in a different light. Max tossed his keys in a bowl by the door and turned on lights as he went. The home was tidy and clean, dark hues the central theme, unlike hers, where every color on the wheel made an appearance. Leather couch. Coffee-colored curtains for which he got points. A small braided rug with every shade of brown on the color wheel. Manly.
She followed him into the kitchen, which was a bit brighter with recessed lighting and a thoroughly modern look.
“Want something to drink?” Max opened the refrigerator door. “I have pop, beer, water.”
“Coffee?” Ava said.
He turned to her, quirking a brow. “Do I dare?”
A black percolator sat on the counter, the kind that used paper filters. “Let me.”
“You’ll be dealing with an inferior bean, I’m afraid.” He reached over her into a cabinet and took out a bag of already ground beans. “Sorry.”
The brand was actually one of the better ones. “There’s hope for you yet.”
Max leaned his back against the counter, arms crossed, a look of thinly veiled amusement crinkling his eyes.
The busywork of measuring out the coffee into the filter gave her courage. “Max, what happened tonight? You had to know I would ask.”
He studied the kitchen floor. “Nothing happened. You were right. She’s perfect.”
Definitely not what Ava wanted to hear but at least it was the honest truth. She could always count on Max to give that to her. Zero subterfuge with this man. She loved that about him.
“Did she say something rude? Come on too strong? That doesn’t sound like Darcie.”
“No. She was great. I like that she does pro bono work. You’re right, she has every quality I listed and then some.” He met her eyes. “She’s perfect. And I think the only thing wrong with her is that she isn’t you.”
She dropped the scooping spoon.
He gave her an easy slow smile and she melted. Then there was nothing left to do but rush him. She jumped into his arms, and he caught her easily. She buried her face in his warm and beautiful neck and swallowed back tears. She didn’t think anyone in the world would compare Ava to Darcie and findDarciethe one lacking.
Max chuckled. “I was watching when you got up to dance on the coffee table.”
“You saw that? I was trying to make myself feel better.”
“About?”
“Knowing I’d just lost any chance because Darcie was so into you and I just couldn’t imagine...thiswould happen.”
“You need a bigger imagination.”
“I’ve wanted you for a long time. But you scared me a little bit.”
“Yeah?”
“All your grumpiness and one-word sentences. I thought you hated me.”
“Listen, I can’t stare at the sun for long, but that doesn’t mean I hate the sun. I actually love the sun.”
“Gotcha. And just because you can’t stare at the sun for long doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy the warmth. Of just...being under it.”
“Or over it.” He smiled again and this time it was decidedly wicked.
“Either way. And I do realize I’m the sun in this metaphor.” She slid down the length of his body.
