Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Talk of body language is not helping my cheeks. He’s right, and how is it possible that it hadn’t yet occurred to me that when we’re around others at the wedding, we’ll have to do things people in a relationship do, like stand close, hold hands, maybe even kiss.
“While you’re sitting here, could I borrow your car keys?” Max holds his hand out, and I stare back at him in confusion.
“Do you need to move my car? I can do it.”
His smile deepens into one that I imagine lets him get away with a lot. I’ll bet he charmed his way out of all kinds of trouble as a kid with that smile. “It just so happens that we found a spare car battery lying around here.”
“You found a battery? And it just so happens to be the kind my car needs?”
“It does. How did you know?”
I shake my head. “Please tell me you didn’t buy a battery for me.”
“We didn’t buy a battery for you.”
“Then where did it come from?”
Max shrugs, his eyes playful. “You told me to tell you we didn’t buy it for you, so I did. Just let me have your keys, Callie. You’re taking us to a deluxe resort next week. The least we can do is change your car battery.”
I want to protest, but I don’t think it’ll do any good. And since they already bought the battery, I imagine it would be somewhat of a hassle to return it, so, exasperated, I hand over my keys. “I wish you hadn’t done that.”
“Just pretend it never happened.” Max disappears out the door, leaving me alone with Miles, who’s been pulling ingredients from the refrigerator.
“You didn’t have to cook dinner, either. I could have brought sandwiches from the shop.”
“I like to cook. We’ve eaten a lot of those sandwiches lately, anyway, and I’ll bet you have, too.”
“You’re right. I have. I’m full up to here of Big Daddy’s.” I gesture to a spot near my chest before realizing what I’ve just said and how it sounds. Quickly changing my tone, I ask, “What can I do to help?”
He bends to get a pan from a lower cupboard, and I get distracted by the span of his shoulder muscles. “You don’t have to help.”
“I don’t want to sit here and just watch you.” That’s a partial lie. Aside from the fact that it would be awkward, I wouldn’t mind watching him at all.
He brings up a cutting board from another cupboard and sets it on the counter. “You could go sit on the deck and relax, but if you’d like to help, you can cut vegetables for the stir-fry.”
“Happy to help. I’m not very good at sitting around idle.”
He moves the board in front of me, and opens a plastic bag that holds two summer squash, before taking them over to the sink. “So I’ve heard. Max told me about your work schedule.”
After I ask him how thin he’d like the vegetable slices, things are quiet between us for a few minutes, as Miles puts rice on to cook. As I finish the squash and move on to red and yellow peppers, I say, “Are you sure you want to do this switcheroo at the wedding? I have the impression that Max talked you into the whole thing.”
“What gives you that idea?”
I would have much preferred that he answer my question rather than putting me on the spot with one of his own. How do I answer without risking offending him again?
“We hardly know each other …”
“You hardly know Max, either.”
I wince. I shouldn’t have brought this up, but now that I’ve started the discussion, I feel compelled to finish it. “You don’t exactly seem enthusiastic about it.”
He doesn’t respond for several long beats, making me wonder if he’s considering how not to offend me. Finally, he says, “I guess enthusiasm isn’t my style.”
“Are you sure you’ll be up for making small talk with my family? I mean, I can bear the brunt of it, but they’ll be asking questions, wanting to get to know you.”
Another uncomfortable moment of silence passes. “I’ll be up for it.”
Alrighty then. I guess that’s settled.
CHAPTER 14
CALLIE
After I chop the rest of the vegetables, I give up on trying to make conversation with Miles, and ask him where their bathroom is. The powder room is as spotless as the kitchen, and I wonder if it’s always this way, or if they cleaned before my arrival.
Either way, it’s impressive, and makes me feel a little guilty about the state of the bathroom and kitchen at my place.
The living room is tidy, too, and decorated with a tasteful nautical theme, which I assume was selected by Ms. Collins, since Max and Miles are renters. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out to a large wooden deck, and beyond that, a small manicured back lawn, which drops off to the coastline below.