Chapter 27
Max
It’s the last stretch, and somehow— somehow, this still doesn’t feel real. She’s next to me, legs tucked up on the seat, hair slightly damp from the shower, her oversized hoodie making her a walking dream. She’s texting someone, smiling down at her screen like it’s whispering secrets that make her heart skip.
I’m betting it’s her sisters.
I don’t know them—haven’t even heard their voices—but I already know they matter to her more than most people ever will. She talks about them as if they’re part of her bloodstream.
The selfish part of me? I hope they like me. Even if they don’t know me yet… maybe soon. She lets out a soft laugh and bites her lip. I grip the wheel a little tighter. God, I’m so far gone for this girl.
We pull into our first stop about forty-five minutes out—a small Mexican restaurant on the side of the highway with a colorful mural painted on one side and a steady stream of people filing in and out.
She looks up from her phone and smiles.
“You found this place?”
“Best brunch within fifty miles,”
I say, pointing at the sign.
“The reviews swear by the buffet.”
“I love a good brunch buffet,”
she grins.
Of course she does.
I park and hop out, walking around the front of the car to open her door. Her hand fits in mine like it was always supposed to be there, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this woman—this bright, kind, chaotic ray of light—was a total stranger three days ago.
Inside, the restaurant smells like heaven—warm tortillas, grilled onions, something spicy simmering in the back. A waitress greets us and leads us to a small table by the window.
“I’m gonna run to the restroom,”
she says, already slipping out of her seat.
“I’ll be here.”
She disappears around the corner, and I reach for my phone.
ME
hey
It takes exactly three seconds for the dots to appear.
NICO
DON’T YOU HEY ME.
I have been WAITING BY THE PHONE.
WHAT. HAPPENED.
I can’t help the stupid grin pulling at my mouth.
ME
it happened
and it was awesome
There’s a brief pause.
NICO
you’re done for
you know that right?
you’re GONE
like
goodbye to casual Max
this is main character love story arc Max
you gotta seal the deal man
you can’t let this one go
ME
I’m sure as hell going to try
We eat in the kind of comfortable silence that feels earned. The food is incredible—fluffy eggs with green chile, rice that’s been seasoned to perfection, and a mole that might actually ruin every other mole I ever try again.
“Okay, this mole is unreal,”
I say, reaching for another warm tortilla.
“Like…dangerous levels of good.”
April lets out a happy little hum and lifts her fork.
“Try the tamale next. I think I’ve reached full buffet nirvana.”
She’s made it a mission to try one of everything, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone enjoy food this much. She takes a bite of a chile relleno and closes her eyes with a dramatic sigh.
“Oh my God,”
she whispers.
“Tell my family I died doing what I loved.”
I laugh, leaning back in my chair just… watching her. That easy smile. Her hair pulled half up, falling across her shoulders. The way she bites her bottom lip when she’s trying to decide between salsa verde or roja.
“You’re really not going to choose between the salsas, are you?”
“Why would I ever choose when I can have both?”
she says, dead serious.
Fair point.
We finish our plates, sipping the last of our drinks, and I drag my phone from my pocket to check the route. I want to time the last leg of our trip just right so she gets plenty of rest tonight.
Across from me, she’s doing the same—opening an email, scrolling through something, then she lights up.
“Oh God, I love Violeta.”
My eyes lift, and something shifts in my chest.
“Violeta?”
I repeat carefully.
She nods, not looking up, her voice casual and cheerful.
“The HR rep I’ve been emailing with, the one handling my interview tomorrow. She’s incredible! She just sent me step-by-step directions for everything—where to park, which entrance to use, who to ask for when I walk in. Like…actual angel energy.”
I manage a nod, my mouth feels a little dry.
“And her name is… Violeta.”
“Isn’t that the best name?”
April says, grinning.
“I wonder if she goes by Vi, or if she wears purple on purpose. Or if she’s, like, always surrounded by violets and good vibes.”
I clear my throat and fold my napkin slowly.
“I’m sure you’ll figure all of that out tomorrow.”
She keeps scrolling through her phone, making a note of the address, totally unaware of the absolute spiral happening in my head.
I drop my gaze back to my phone and text Nico.
ME
I am so fucked