Page 27 of Sparks Fly
“Okay, now that that’s settled, can we get dessert?” Kira said. “I need some flan before I nap.”
This was enough to set the girls off in giggles, and Chelsea flagged down a waiter so they could get Kira her flan.
Fourteen
When Stella and Chelsea got back to their apartment, Chelsea promptly face-planted into their couch and was somehow already snoring by the time Stella walked into her room.
Stella was supposed to be meeting up with Max around six, which meant she had almost three hours to kill. Although she’d only allowed herself one mimosa, she was ready to lie down and take a nap, too. As much as she loved her girls, whenever they all hung out together, it totally depleted her social battery.
As Stella was setting an alarm on her phone to make sure she didn’t sleep through her plans with Max, a text from him came through.
Max
Hey Stella. I thought I’d be able to dip out of this work thing early, but I’m still in the middle of talks and there’s no way I’ll be back in the city by 6.
Max
Are you free tomorrow? I’d love to make it up to you.
The disappointment Stella felt reading his message was as sudden as it was annoying. She’d just spent a good portion of her afternoon convincing her friends she wasn’t attached to Max, and one canceled plan had her wanting to crawl into bed and watch the sappiest K-drama she could find just to feel something.
Instead of doing that, Stella heaved out a breath and replied.
Stella
Hey Max! No worries at all. Unfortunately, I have plans tomorrow with my parents so I won’t be free. How about Monday?
Max
Can’t. I have dinner plans with some friends. And honestly all of next week is a bit hectic for me. But I’m completely free next weekend.
Stella chewed on her bottom lip as she tried not to read too much into this. But what was that saying? If he wanted to, he would. What was Max doing this week that he wouldn’t be able to see her again until a week from now?
Stella knew she wasn’t allowed to ask. He wasn’t herboyfriend, and she had told him this was casual. Casual did not mean having set, concrete plans all the time. It meant going with the flow.
So she would go with the flow.
Stella
Sure, how about Friday again? I can go straight to your place after work?
There. That was good. She didn’t even ask to get dinner or anything, just straight to his house for a hookup.
Casual.
This time it took a little while for Max’s response to come through.
Max
As perfect as that sounds, I think I should feed you before you arrive at my apartment next time.
Max
How about dinner?
Stella’s goofy heart was thrilled by Max’s message, and she told it to calm the fuck down and stop being so eager.
Stella
