11. Max
CHAPTER 11
MAX
C allie’s question gives me pause. The girl is perceptive. Either that, or I’m not being as smooth as I think I am.
Luckily, I have several legitimate reasons suitable for sharing with her.
After a draw from my drink, I say, “For one thing, you’re not bad to look at.”
“Gee, thanks.” Her sarcastic tone makes me smile, but then she gets serious. “If you were to pose as my boyfriend, nothing would go on between us.”
Despite her declaration, a faint blush appears on her cheeks. Interesting.
I raise my hands in innocence. “I didn’t say anything would be happening, not unless you want it to. I’m simply saying you’re attractive.”
Without responding, she takes a bite of her food, and I do the same, as the rose of her cheeks deepens.
“Then, there’s my mission to do good deeds,” I say. “A multi-day wedding would add several credits.”
“I don’t want to be a charity project.”
“I’m joking, but honestly, the resort looks like a great place, and I’ve been working hard. I could use some relaxation time at the beach—when I’m not helping you with wedding tasks, that is.”
All of this is true, as is my brother’s observation that I have a savior complex. I’d want to help her even if I didn’t have my own motives.
“What kind of work do you do?”
“Want more fries?” I offer, pushing my basket closer to Callie, who shakes her head. “I’m a software consultant. I like it, but it’s boring to talk about for anyone who’s not directly involved.”
She nods her head, and I’m relieved not to see any signs of familiarity in her expression.
“We’d need to know each other well if we’re going to pretend to be in a relationship,” she says, and internally, I breathe a sigh of relief.
“I’m good at remembering details. We should be able to fit in a few study sessions before the wedding.”
“My family is pretty big, and some of them can be overbearing.” She still sounds hesitant, but the deal is all but done.
“I’m good with families, too. We’ll have a fun time, Callie. You’ll see.”
She shakes her head, but there’s amusement in her eyes. “If you’re sure …I have to admit it’ll be a relief to be able to give my mom a name for that all-important place card. What did you say your last name was?”
“Pruitt.” I spell it for her as she types it into the notes app on her phone.
“Is Max short for anything?”
“Maxwell, but you can just use Max.”
She nods and sets her phone on the table, the deal done, as I finish the last of my sandwich.
While she eats the rest of her shrimp, we discuss possible times to get together, and I learn how busy Callie is. She teaches three morning yoga sessions five days a week, immediately followed by long shifts at the sandwich shop. No wonder she’s at her breaking point.
I’m curious about what drives her to work so hard, and I’m looking forward to finding that out, along with much more.
When she’s finished with her food, I clear the table and we walk back out to the parking lot. She seems flustered when I open her car door for her. “I’m not used to that,” she says.
This tells me a lot about her ex, but I opt not to mention him again tonight. “You’ll have to get used to it when we’re together.”
We’re both quiet for the first several minutes of our drive back, and I use the time to run different scenarios in my mind, imagining how each option would play out, assessing risks and rewards. When I’m confident I’ve considered all viable options, I decide on a course of action.
After a stoplight turns green and Callie starts through, I dive in. “As a first step in us getting to know each other better, there’s something important I need to tell you.” As I expected, she shoots me a nervous look, and I school my features into the epitome of easygoing nonchalance. “I need to show you something actually, at my place.”
There must be something about her that has me off my game, because her head jerks almost completely toward me, and if I had to label her expression, the caption would be “Are you for real?”
She doesn’t say anything for a few beats, and when she finally does, a bitter laugh precedes her words. “Are you planning to get naked? I could just give you my number, and you could send me a dick pic like most guys do.”
I keep the grin plastered on my face and make sure it comes through in my voice. “That’s not really my style, but I’ll make an exception if you really want to see it.”
“Oh my god!” Her eyes are back on the road, but to my relief, her head tips back in honest laughter. “I do not want a dick pic.”
“You don’t? Are you sure? I have an album full of them. I could send you a slideshow or …”
“No dick pics, and I already told you, I’m not having sex with you.”
“That’s not why I want you to come to my place. I promise.”
“Despite our arrangement, I still don’t know you very well at all. I’m not going to a private place with you.”
“Good girl. You’re smart to be safe.”
Her eyes flicker my way, revealing a reaction to my praise that she’d probably rather I didn’t see. Very interesting.
“Do you carry pepper spray?”
She nods once. “I do, but someone with muscles like yours could easily overpower me.”
“Ah, you’ve been noticing my muscles. Would you like pictures of those too, when I send over the dick pics?”
She just laughs and shakes her head.
“I’m living in a rental, and the woman who owns it lives right next door. I’ll introduce you to her first, so she’ll know you’re there. You can also tell a friend where you’ll be.”
“This is turning into a safety seminar. Why don’t you just tell me what it is you have to show me?”
“I want you to feel safe, and it’ll be easier to explain once you’re there.”
Stopped at another light, she focuses her big brown eyes on me. “What is it? A pet rabbit? A sock puppet collection? A replica of the Death Star made out of Lego bricks?” I shake my head after each guess. “A basement holding eleven captive women and I’m going to make a perfect dozen?”
“That’s quite an imagination you have. We’re definitely going to have fun at the wedding.”
“We’re almost back to town,” she says. “Where do you want me to take you?”
“Let’s pick up my car first and you can follow me to my place. Is Big Daddy’s still open?”
Callie glances at the time on the dash. “They might be, but it was slow earlier with the rain, so they might have closed early. Are you still hungry?”
I put on a cocky tone and display one of my biceps. “It does take a lot of fuel to maintain these big muscles I have, but no?—”
She cuts in. “Let me guess. You need to get food for all of those women tied up in your basement.”
Laughing, I say, “No, I just need to get a sandwich to take back to my brother.”