CHAPTER THREE #3
We eat dinner, and Max helps me clear the table so we can get to work.
Music plays in the background since I forgot to turn it off when he got here.
The song changes, and a song I don’t think I’ve ever heard starts playing.
Max sets the plates in the sink and reaches out for my hand.
I must give him a strange look, but I place my hand in his.
He smiles, and I swear I’d agree to just about anything with that sexy grin directed at me.
“I’ve never heard this song come on and Pa not start dancing with Ma.
He always says that some songs are meant to be heard while dancing.
” I love that he’s got such great memories with his family.
As someone who has very few of those, I know just how precious they are.
Max pulls me into him and starts to slowly sway.
He looks down at me. “Have you ever danced with someone?” I chuckle.
“Am I that bad at it?” Max shakes his head.
“No, nothing like that. You just don’t seem like you know what to do.
” Well, he’s not wrong. “No. I mean, besides dancing around with the girls to music that Hanna and Kinsley have introduced us to. I’ve never danced like this before.
Then again, there are a lot of things that are considered normal that I’ve never done before.
Just like this song, I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before. ”
Max puts a hand on my back, pulling me as close to him as he physically can.
The hand he’s not holding rests on his shoulder.
“Just sway to the music. That’s the beauty of slow dancing.
You can’t really get it wrong.” We slowly sway as I listen to the song.
“Does your Pa sing this to Ma while they’re dancing?
” Max slowly spins us around the dining room.
“Yeah, he does. Pa’s no Lionel Richie—that’s who’s singing this song.
He doesn’t have a voice like this, but if you saw Ma’s face while they dance and he sings to her, you’d think he was the best singer in the world.
” Makes sense to me. “That’s because to your Ma, it’s not the words that matter in that moment.
It’s the love he has for her that she’s feeling.
I saw it on your sister’s face when she danced with Mick at their wedding.
Same with Kierstie when she danced with Shane that day.
To feel that kind of love…I can only imagine what it’s like, that deep connection to someone. ”
Max doesn’t say anything back, but he sings the chorus to the song just barely loud enough for me to hear it. “Guess I’m on my way…Needed a friend…”
The song ends, but neither of us moves to break apart.
I’m not a stupid woman and will take any chance I can to touch Max.
I move and look up at Max, and he’s looking at me with an expression I can’t place, but I feel its intensity through my whole body.
He takes a moment, then what he says surprises me to my core, or my toes…
whichever is bigger. “I thought when we met, you needed a friend, and I was determined to be one. I’d like to think that we’ve become good friends over the last year.
” I nod. “I think we are. I mean, I would consider you one of my closest friends.” His mouth turns up in a small smile.
“The thing is…” Max lets out a breath and continues, “The thing is that I don’t think I want to be friends.
” I look away from him, my heart hurting, but he quickly reaches for my chin and moves my head back so I’m looking at him again.
“That didn’t come out how I intended it to.
I don’t want to just be friends with you. I want more.” Is he…
My mouth moves before my brain. “What are you saying?” Max doesn’t answer with words.
His head lowers, and oh my God! His lips touch mine and…
ohhhhh. This is why people like kissing.
Max breaks the kiss and touches his forehead to mine.
“I’ve wanted to do this since the moment I laid eyes on you.
I want to be more than friends with you.
I think you and I could have something really special between us.
What do you think?” I may not be the smartest person, but I’m not a complete idiot.
I nod. “I’d like that. I don’t know what I’m doing at all, but I know I like you as more than a friend.
” This earns me that sexy smile that I love to see.
Max leans in and kisses me again. I could get used to this whole kissing thing.
When he breaks the kiss this time, he moves his head back slightly to look at me.
“I want to explore this with you. I want to do that without my whole nosy-ass family butting their heads into it. Are you okay with keeping this between us while we get to know each other as a couple, not just as friends? I’m not wanting to hide for forever or anything, just a little while to give us privacy to explore this between us.
” I nod because, as much as I’ve come to love his family, they can be intimidating at times with their exuberance and excitement.
“Yeah, I’d like that. I need to share it with Mary, though.
She won’t tell anyone. I can’t lie to her, and if you’re gonna be here more, it’s only fair.
” Max nods. “She’s a steel trap, that one.
I think she could know the world’s atomic secrets and not give them up.
I’m fine with that.” He leans in and gives me a quick kiss.
“As much as I would fucking love to take you to your bedroom right now and explore every inch of you with my tongue, I’m not going to derail your dream of passing this test and getting your GED.
” I pout, but can you blame me? Max kisses the tip of my nose.
“Fuck, you’re cute.” He taps my butt. “Grab those study guides. Maybe instead of that cake for dessert, afterward we can explore each other some more.” I almost run to the coffee table and grab the books and trip as I head back to the dining room table, catching myself before I fall.
I quickly sit and push the guide over to Max.
I catch him smiling at me. “What?” He shakes his head, but his smile stays.
“I really like seeing you’re as excited as I am to explore things between us.
Now, since we’re both motivated, let’s dive into the Social Studies section and talk about the Constitution and its amendments.
” I’ve never been so motivated to get through a lesson in my life.
I definitely get why people like kissing.
I just can’t imagine how anything else could be better, but I’m more than ready to learn.