“Noooo.”
Max nodded. “Mom’s a little too trusting at times. It’s great that she wants to help people who are less fortunate, but she needs to sprinkle a bit of safety into her decisions.”
“Yeah, definitely. Is her growing more involved with the church something new?”
“She’s always been religious. We were raised Catholic and went to religion classes growing up, and Mom always went to church on Sundays. But ten years ago, she started to go daily and get involved in outreach programs and stuff.”
“Did something happen to make her turn to the church?” After I asked the question, I realized maybe it wasn’t polite.
Max looked out the window and nodded. “It started when my brother Austin died. He was only twenty one.”
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry.”
Max continued to stare out the window. “He had an abdominal aortic aneurysm. We both went to BU. He was a year ahead of me. We were only thirteen months apart.”
I had no idea what to say, so I took his hand and squeezed. I’d wondered about the conversation I’d walked in on between Max and his mom. I guess I understood what he didn’t want to talk about now. We were both quiet for the rest of the plane ride, only this time, the silence wasn’t quite as comfortable.
In the car on the way back to my apartment, we made small talk. But something had changed. So when we pulled up near my building and Max parked, I felt compelled to say something.
“Max?”
I waited until he looked over to continue.
“I’m sorry if I overstepped and took our conversation in a direction that ruined your evening.”
He shook his head. “You didn’t. I apologize if I made you feel that way. Sometimes I just get stuck in my head.”
The sound of my phone vibrating in my purse interrupted our conversation. I didn’t intend to answer, but I dug it out to see who it was and send the call to voicemail. Gabriel flashed on the screen. After I hit decline, I looked up, and Max’s face told me he’d read the name, too.
He smiled sadly. “It’s late. I’ll walk you up with Four.”
Unlike last time, Max didn’t hold my hand as we walked to my building. He had Four in his arms, but that didn’t feel like the only reason there was distance between us. When we reached the elevator, I didn’t press the button. Instead, I turned to face him.
“I had a good time. Thank you for bringing me tonight.”
Max bent and set Four down to the floor. When he stood back up, he took my hand. “Listen, Georgia. I’m just going to put it out there once more. I’d love to spend the summer with you. After next week, there won’t be any more games or traveling I have to do. Other than keeping in shape, I pretty much have no plans except to find somewhere to live by August. We could have some fun. No strings attached. I get that you have some unsettled stuff going on, but you know I’m going to be out of here in a few months. To me, it keeps things pretty simple.” He held up his hands. “But I won’t push it anymore. If you change your mind, you have my number. All you have to do is say the word.”
My face fell. “We can’t just be friends?”
Max’s eyes dropped down to my body. They took their time caressing their way up and over each curve. “Friendship between two people who are the opposite sex doesn’t work when one of you wants to see the other naked. That might be an asshole thing to say, but it’s the truth.” He pushed the button to call the elevator. It must’ve been waiting, because the doors slid right open. Max lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed the top. “I hope you call.”
I swallowed and nodded. But as I stepped into the elevator, a heavy feeling came over me. The thought of never seeing Max again made me panicky, so when the doors began to slide closed, I stuck my hand out to stop them at the very last second.
“Max, wait!”
He looked up at me, and I stepped forward, holding the doors open.
“I never do anything without spending forever debating all the pros and cons.” I shook my head. “And I’m not sure what the right thing is for us, but I am sure it’s not never seeing you again. Could we…take it slow?”
The biggest grin spread across Max’s face. “I like it slow.”
I chuckled. “You know what I mean.”
He nodded and took my hand. “We can go at whatever speed makes you comfortable.”
I took a deep breath and blew out a rush of air. “Okay.”
He lifted a brow. “Okay?”