Chapter 9 - Maria
I practically shove Jenna out the door, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"I can't believe you heard that," I groan, raking a hand through my mussed hair.
Jenna just grins, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Hey, I was just in the right place at the right time, that's all."
I level her with an exasperated look, "It wasn't intentional, okay? Things just...happened." I avert my gaze, unable to meet her probing stare.
"Mmhmm, I'm sure." Jenna leans in, poking me playfully in the ribs. "So, spill. What's he like?"
I feel my face heat up even further.
"Jenna! I'm not going to discuss the...intimate details of what just happened."
She pouts, but I can see the barely contained excitement in her expression.
"Aw, come on, Maria. You know I'm dying to hear all about it."
Sighing, I shake my head.
"There's nothing to tell. It was a...a moment of weakness, that's all. It won't happen again."
Jenna arches a brow, skepticism plain on her face.
"Uh-huh, sure. That's what they all say." She pauses, a slow grin spreading across her lips. "Although, if I'm being honest, I always figured you had a bit of a wild side. Guess I was right."
I groan, resisting the urge to bury my face in my hands.
"Jenna, please. I really don't want to talk about this anymore. Can we just...I don't know, change the subject?"
Mercifully, she takes pity on me, pulling me into a quick hug.
"Alright, alright, I'll lay off. For now, at least." She pulls back, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. "But you know I'm going to be prying for details later, right?"
I manage a weak smile, already dreading the inevitable interrogation. "I figured as much."
Jenna gives me one more playful nudge before heading for the door.
"Seriously though, M, I'm happy for you. Especially now that you are getting freaky in the back room of your own store."
"Jenna!" I exclaim, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks once more.
She just laughs, waving cheekily over her shoulder as she steps outside.
"See you later, you wild thing."
The moment she's gone, I let out a heavy sigh, running both hands through my hair in frustration. I can't believe this is happening. I mean, sure, I’m attracted to Max, but I never imagined we'd actually...
Shaking my head, I turn and head back towards the storage room, steeling myself to face him. When I push open the door, he's leaning against the table, a small smile playing on his lips.
"So," he says, arching a brow, "did she hear too much?"
I nod, unable to meet his gaze. "I think so..."
Max chuckles, the sound low and rumbling.
"I gathered as much. Though I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed I didn't get to make a proper introduction."
I feel my cheeks burn once more.
"Max, this isn't funny. She's going to be pestering me for details, and I have no idea what I'm going to tell her."
He reaches out, gently tilting my chin up so I'm forced to look at him.
"Hey, relax. You can tell her whatever you want. Nothing is going to change."
I bite my lip, nodding slightly.
"I know, it's just..." I trail off, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I don't know, this whole thing feels so...so out of control, you know?"
Max nods, his expression softening.
"I get it. Believe me, I do. And I know you like to be in control of your life, but maybe..." He pauses, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a wry smile. "Maybe losing control once in a while is not such a bad thing."
I blink up at him, caught off guard by his words.
"What do you mean?" I ask hesitantly.
Max reaches up, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear, "Well, think about it. When was the last time you did something truly spontaneous, something outside of your carefully planned and controlled life?"
I open my mouth to respond but quickly realize I don't have a ready answer. Max chuckles, seeing the dawning realization on my face.
"Exactly. You're always so focused on doing the 'right' thing, on living up to everyone's expectations. But Maria..." His thumb grazes my cheek, and I can't help but lean into his touch. "Don't you ever just want to throw caution to the wind and see where it takes you?"
I swallow hard, searching his gaze.
"I...I don't know. I mean, this shop, it's my whole world. I can't just throw that all away on a - a whim or something that might not really last."
Max nods, "I understand, but that doesn't mean you have to give up everything you've worked for." He pauses, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe you just need to find a way to incorporate a little more...spontaneity into your life."
I can't help the skeptical look that crosses my face, "And how exactly am I supposed to do that? Just start hooking up with random tenants in the back room?"
To my surprise, Max laughs - a deep, rumbling sound that sends a shiver down my spine.
"Well, I wouldn't necessarily recommend that. But maybe you could start by, I don't know, going on a date with said tenant?"
I blink, momentarily thrown by the suggestion, "A date? With you?"
He nods, his expression open and sincere.
"Yeah, why not? We've already taken the first step towards crossing that line. Might as well see where it goes from here."
I chew on my lower lip, mulling over his words. A part of me wants to outright reject the idea - it's far too reckless, too unpredictable. But another, deeper part of me...
"Okay," I hear myself say, the word barely above a whisper.
Max's eyes widen slightly in surprise.
"Okay? You mean, you'll go out with me?"
I nod, feeling a flutter of nervous anticipation in my stomach.
"Yes, okay. Let's...let's do it. Let's go on a date."
The smile that spreads across his face is warm and genuine, and I can't help but return it.
"Well, in that case..." He leans in, his breath ghosting over my lips. "How about we start right now?"
Before I can respond, his mouth is on mine, kissing me slow and deep. I melt into him, all thoughts of propriety and control slipping away. In this moment, all that matters is the feeling of his lips on mine and his body's warm press against mine.
When we finally break apart, both of us a little breathless, I can't help the giddy laugh that bubbles up.
"Wow, um, okay. I guess we're really doing this, huh?"
Max chuckles, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
"Looks that way. And I, for one, couldn't be more excited."
I can't help but smile back, feeling a spark of that same excitement ignite within me.
"Me too."
Two Days Later
We're sitting on a blanket near the town's lake, the fading light of sunset painting the water in dazzling hues of orange and pink. Soft music plays from the portable speaker I brought along, a perfect accompaniment to the tranquil scene.
I pop another juicy strawberry into my mouth, unable to keep the smile from my face.
"This was a great idea," I murmur, glancing over at Max. "Coming out here, I mean. It's so beautiful and peaceful."
He smiles back, reaching over to tuck a windblown strand of hair behind my ear.
"I'm glad you like it. When I saw this spot the other day, I just knew it would be the perfect place to watch the sunset together."
I feel a pleasant flutter in my stomach at his words. It's been two days since our impromptu first date, and I still can't quite believe this is happening.
Me, on an actual date with Max - the handsome stranger who stumbled into my life and turned everything upside down.
We continue chatting as we snack on the fruit and cheese platter between us. Despite only knowing each other for a short while, conversation flows easily between us.
Max has a witty, charming way about him that keeps me entertained. And the way he looks at me - with such warmth and interest - makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.
As the fading sunlight paints his hollowed cheekbones in a golden glow, I'm struck once more by just how beautiful he is. Without thinking, I reach out to trace the line of his jaw. Max turns his head, pressing a soft kiss to my fingertips, and my breath catches at the unexpectedly tender gesture.
Heart pounding, I meet his intense gaze.
"Max, I...I'm really happy I agreed to do this. To try something new, I mean. With you."
He smiles crookedly, taking my hand in his and gently squeezing it.
"Me too, Maria. These past couple of days with you have been really incredible."
Max pauses, glancing down briefly as if gathering his thoughts. When he looks back up at me, there's an endearing hint of nervousness in his eyes that I've never seen before.
"In fact, they've made me start thinking that...that I'd really like to make this - make us - into something more." He takes a breath, his thumb idly stroking the back of my hand. "So, what do you say? Will you be my girlfriend, Maria?"
My eyes widen in surprise and delight. Though we've been growing closer, I didn't expect him to make things official so soon. But staring into his hopeful gaze, I don't have a single doubt about my answer.
"Yes!" I breathe, unable to contain my brilliant smile, "Yes, Max, I'd love to be your girlfriend."
The answering grin that breaks across his face steals my breath away. In one smooth move, he tugs me closer until I'm cradled in his lap, his strong arms wrapping securely around me.
"You've just made me the happiest man alive," Max murmurs.
And then he's kissing me deeply as the sunset fades to twilight around us.