Page 95 of The Perils of Pretending
I have to wait an entire day to see him? That’s going to be hard after spending a solid week together with no time apart. Granted, I do need to get laundry done and shop for food this weekend, so I guess I can handle one day without seeing Max, but it’ll be hard.
“Whatever you’re doing.”
Max laughs. “Good answer. You owe me a night on the ice.”
“You promised not to brag, remember?”
Max crosses his heart. “I won’t.”
We both know that's a lie, but it doesn’t bother me like it used to. I’m used to Max’s cocky personality and find it annoyingly funny instead of irritating. “I wish you had summers off so we could spend it here.”
“We’ll visit as often as we can afford.”
Dani’s next book better go viral as well. I foresee a lot of trips to Alaska. “Deal.”
We head back to the house and get settled in for the night. Max on the couch and me in the guest room. I think about sneaking out to see him at midnight, but it doesn’t feel right. Those nights were special for us in Alaska and I want to keep them that way by not spoiling or forcing another rendezvous. Besides, I’m exhausted from said late night gatherings and early morning rising the past nine days. I’m ready to sleep like a log.
The next morning, after a pancake breakfast where I got to try Marjorie’s divine blueberry syrup, Marjorie comes into the guest room where I’m packing my toothbrush.
She holds out two glass containers. “These are for you to take home.”
I hold up the bottles, examining them. One is dark purple liquid, the other is thick red gel.
“The bigger one is my blueberry syrup. The small one is fireweed jelly.”
I hand them back to her. “Oh, no. I can’t take your hard-earned canned goods.”
Marjorie puts her hand on my shoulder. “I want you to, dear. That little blue flower sticker on the lid is my trademark. A little reminder of me for you and Max to enjoy.”
“Which flower—oh, of course. Forget-me-nots.” Alaska’s state flower. “That’s in your flower boxes, isn’t it?”
“Among many others, yes. Alaska summers make for unforgettable bouquets,” she says with a wink.
I don’t know if it’s the contrast of Grandma Alice compared to Marjorie, or the emotional roller coaster of the past week, or simply the sweet gesture, but tears fill my eyes. “This is really kind of you. I appreciate it. Thank you.”
Marjorie wraps me up in her arms, the bottles getting smashed between us. “Max told me about why he had to rush to your reunion. I’m sorry you had to go through that. You’re safe and wanted here.”
Her words are a balm to my tattered heart. A sob wracks through me. Fat tears stream down my cheeks. I cling to Marjorie, grateful she’s here, but also wishing my own grandma wanted me.
“We need to go,” Max says behind me. “Whoa, wait. Why is Sadie crying? Princess, what's going on?”
I can’t see through my blurry vision. I feel Marjorie untangle herself from me and pass into Max’s arms. But she doesn’t leave. Instead, she hugs the both of us. “Alex! Get in here!”
Next thing I know, I’m being sandwiched on all sides by Max and his grandparents. I’ve known these two for less than twenty-four hours andalready I love them. Max will have to change his shirt before we go. I’m soaking it with my tears as I allow all my feelings about my family to surface and gratitude for this new family comforting me.
My tears finally dry up. I pull away from Max. “That’s embarrassing. I’m sorry you had to witness my breakdown.”
“Think nothing of it, dear,” Marjorie says. “We’re glad we were here to help you through it.”
“Thank you. Truly.” To Max I say, “Do you want to change real quick?”
He shakes his head. “It’ll dry soon enough.”
Alex grabs the handle of one of my suitcases. “Let’s get you two to the airport so you don’t miss your flight.”
Funny, ten days ago Max said something very similar when he opened the door and I saw him standing there. I was totally annoyed that he was coming with us. Now I can’t imagine what my reunion would have been like without him.
It’s also crazy and ridiculous that it took us coming to Alaska to figure out we were right for each other. But I’m so glad we did.
