Chapter 25
Max
As soon as April disappears into the bathroom, I step out into the hallway and pull out my phone. I need a minute. And, apparently, I need backup.
I hit the FaceTime option, and Nico answers on the first ring.
He’s horizontal, clearly in bed, with one of his daughters draped over his chest and the other curled under his arm.
He whispers.
“What’s up, my dude?”
“Shit, I’m sorry. I can text.”
“No, no—it’s fine. The girls are asleep. We were doing story time and I passed out too. What’s going on? Why are you whisper-calling me like you’re hiding from the FBI?”
“We’re back at the hotel. April’s taking a shower.”
Nico raises an eyebrow, smirking.
“And she didn’t invite you in?”
“Funny.”
“I’m just saying. After that kiss, I figured maybe—”
“I’m heading downstairs. I’m gonna grab some water, maybe snacks. I think this place has a little convenience store.”
“Solid move. You think she’s an ice cream girl?”
“I think so…”
He narrows his eyes and squints at the screen.
“You look different.”
“Different how?”
“Like you’re in love, my guy.”
I groan and scrub a hand over my face.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself, alright? I don’t want to push. But when we kissed… she kissed me like she wanted more.”
“Wait—you kissed again and you’re just now telling me?”
I laugh, getting into the elevator.
“We went stargazing, you know, like you suggested.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Yeah, thanks. Stargazing turned into kissing… kissing turned into her straddling me… and let’s just say it’s a good thing I was wearing jeans.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah.”
“So you think tonight might turn into…”
“Maybe. I don’t know. I want to, God, I want to, but I don’t want to ruin this by pushing her too fast.”
The elevator doors open, and I walk across the quiet lobby to the tiny twenty-four-hour shop near the front desk. It’s got everything—travel-size deodorants, ibuprofen, dusty postcards, and of course, overpriced snacks.
I grab two small ice creams. One strawberry, one chocolate chip. A few bottles of water, and then… I see them. In the corner, next to the ibuprofen and a lonely pair of earplugs, condoms. I stare for a second. Then hear Nico again.
“Follow your heart. Let her lead. If she wants to move forward—let her. You’re not pressuring her. Just… be ready.”
“What do you mean be ready?”
“Well, are you prepared for… You know.”
“Do you mean do I have a really old condom in my wallet that’s probably expired? Yes, I do.”
“Nope. Absolutely not. Go get some now.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m prepared, and right now, you’re not. Grab a box, get the good kind, and don't you dare make eye contact with the receptionist.”
I sigh, cheeks burning, and grab a box.
“Please add these to the room,”
I say, handing everything over. The receptionist doesn’t even blink. She’s seen things.
“Anything else?”
“Nope. That’s plenty.”
I grab my items from the counter, walk back towards the elevator, and say my goodbyes to Nico.
“Thanks, man. For everything.”
“You got this,”
Nico says.
“You’re the man. Go… be the man.”
Back in the room, it’s quiet. April’s still in the bathroom. I stash the waters and ice creams in the mini fridge, tuck the condoms in my bag—deep down, where God and judgment can’t reach them—and then the bathroom door opens and she steps out.
Hair wrapped in a towel. Oversized T-shirt, bare legs, and that same bright, easy smile.
“Sorry I took so long,”
she says.
“Water felt amazing.”
And I… forget how to breathe.
Max is bent over his bag, rummaging through it like he’s looking for something specific—or possibly just trying to distract me from the fact that he’s still wearing those jeans.
The jeans that are now burned into my soul. The jeans that deserve their own cinematic score and slow-motion montage. He looks up, and that smile? It should be illegal. Soft, drowsy, full of something that makes my chest tighten in the most confusing, delicious way.
“I’m glad you enjoyed your shower,”
he says, voice all warm honey and low rasp.
“I think I’m gonna take one myself.”
I nod—mostly because words aren’t working right now.
As he disappears into the bathroom, I unwind the towel from my hair and run my fingers through it, tugging out the knots as best I can. Then I grab my phone and flop onto the bed like a teenager with a crush, which, to be fair, I absolutely am.
I text the group chat.
ME
we kissed again.
i repeat.
WE KISSED AGAIN.
and he CARRIED me to the car.
like a literal knight in denim armor.
tonight has been… magical. I feel like I’m living in a 2000’s rom-com, and I don’t want the credits to roll yet.
The typing bubbles appear immediately.
JUNE
OH MY GOD
CARRIED???
FULL brIDAL STYLE???
MAY
Do not skip past the kiss.
Describe.
Everything.
ME
it was… slow. and then not slow.
and then suddenly I was STRADDLING HIM.
idk how it happened.
my legs had a mind of their own.
JUNE
EXCUSE ME????
YOU WHAT????
MAY
You accidentally sat on his lap??
ME
no seriously.
one second we were kissing.
next second I was seated like a queen and his hands were everywhere
Just thinking about it
I’M SWEATING
JUNE
as you SHOULD
sweat out those cobwebs, queen
time to air out the cooch
we’ve BEEN waiting
ME
guys.
MAY
Do you want to sleep with him?
ME
…I don’t know.
maybe.
I think?
what if it ruins everything though?
JUNE
If it’s meant to ruin it, it’s not worth keeping.
MAY
He’s a grown man. He carried you like luggage and kissed you like you were water in the desert.
If you want to…
Then do.
I stare at the screen for a second.
ME
I’m not ready to sleep yet
should I ask him if he wants to watch something?
MAY
Netflix and chill, baby.
JUNE
You better invite that man to chill.
Might end up cuddling…
might end up airing out the cobwebs.
I laugh so hard I nearly drop the phone.
Then the water stops and my heart forgets how to beat.
ME
he’s out of the shower
I gotta go
wish me luck
JUNE
Luck.
And lube
tons of lube.
MAY
Be safe.
Have fun.
Make good choices.
Or at least memorable ones.
I toss the phone aside as the bathroom door clicks open.