Page 76 of The Charming Checklist
One look at the books and he also dropped anFbomb.
“Don’t judge,” said Max. “I’m learning.”
Cole picked upLove Languagesand gave it a quick perusal. He scowled. “What you need is a romance book.”
“I don’t have any problem withthat part.” Max smirked.
“Hmm,” Adam said, scanning through another book now, and nodding to himself.
“Romance books are about a lot more than great sex, you know,” Cole said.
Sub licked Max’s hand, and he gave the dog a rub.
Adam finally looked up from his reading. “How doyouknow that?”
“Valerie told me.” He shrugged.
Max shut the book. “And where would I find one of those?”
“I could probably get one for you from Valerie’s stash easily enough. But there’s a problem,” Cole said. “I’m still fully in touch with my sanity.”
“Spoken like the man who’s marrying his first love.” Max shook his head with disgust. “You’re of no help to me.”
“Sorry, but you can’t study your way out of this.” Cole plopped down beside Adam, who elbowed him in annoyance.
“She wants me to tell herwhyI love her,” Max said. “And I’ve got nothing. She’s right. It doesn’t make sense to love her. She doesn’t meet the requirements on my list. Maybe I’m crazy.”
“Wait. What list?” Adam piped up.
“Wait till you hear this,” Cole muttered.
Max stood and gestured to the front door. “Enough! If you’re not going to help me, get out of my house.”
“I can help.” Cole spread his arms on the couch and smiled. “But you’rereallynot going to like it.”
Max grimaced and dragged a hand down his face. “Tell me.”
“Well, dude, you’re going to have to wing it.”
On Wednesday, as she left the office on her way to her business class, Ava saw Max in front of the art gallery, speaking to Twyla Robinson. He stood, hands stuffed in his pockets, quiet as he listened to Twyla drone on and on about something or the other. Her squeaky voice and laugh rang out into the cool afternoon. She, of course, flirted with Max. From here, Ava could practically see Twyla’s eyelashes batting like a butterfly’s wings. Then she put her hand on Max’s chest, and leaned back to toss her wavy, long,brunettehair. It took everything in Ava not to run toward her like a MMA fighter and order her to take her hands off her man.
But she didn’t. She simply stared, for a moment too long, because Max turned as if he sensed her, and caught her gaze. Ava had to look away from the warm, enticing look he returned. Those were sad, puppy dog eyes, and she swallowed back a sob. She ran to her sedan, clicked the door open and sat herself inside. When her phone buzzed, she pulled it out before she started driving, hoping it was Max.
Hey, it was nice to see you today.
Where are you going off to so fast? Twyla has me trapped.
Why didn’t you rescue me? We need to talk.
But nope. It was her mother instead:
Got a new phone. Received the print yesterday, thanks for that. Your father and I have reached a compromise. He wants one extra year to practice medicine before we both retire. I eventually gave in, but I had one big ask in exchange. Can you guess what it was?
The next message was a photo of her and Dad standing in front of the blossoming vagina print over its place of honor above the fireplace mantel. Mom’s chin was tilted in triumph and a broad, knowing smile, her hand on Dad’s shoulder. Dad’s head was cocked, his lips tipped in a smirk, as he held up his thumb in the universal “okay by me” sign. Or the “I give up” sign. Yay, Dad.
Ava typed back:
Love this, and love both of you! xoxo
