Max
I believe in miracles. Especially the ones where I get a text from Avery Parker. No rush.
Max
Do you need help?
I think I’ve got it down to a manageable section now. But thank you.
By the time I’m done, the other two girls have left to go home.
“You can watch for another thirty minutes and then head to bed. We’re going to have a big crew tomorrow, and I would love to have your help in the coffee shop if you have time.”
Lila smiles. “Sounds good. Where are you going?”
How do I say this without her reading too much into it. “Our neighbor invited me over to watch a movie.”
Lila rolls her eyes. “Great. Now you’re falling in love with the criminal.”
I can tell by her expression that she doesn’t really mean it.
“Well, if I don’t come back, you’ll know where to start looking.”
I shut the door and slip back over to see Max. He’s got the TV on and all the lights off. It looks like a thriller movie is playing, one I haven’t seen before.
“What are we watching?” I ask.
I walk over and see that, instead of being wide awake, he’s somehow fallen asleep on the couch. I grab a blanket and place it over him. I’m not sure if I want to go back over to my apartment just yet, so I sit on the couch next to him, findingYou’ve Got Mail,which I haven’t been able to watch in a while. There’s another blanket, and I cover myself with it as I snuggle into the couch.
I don’t know why I’m so tired, probably because of everything that’s happened in the last few weeks and then from today, but in a few moments, everything goes black.
33
AVERY
It’s early morning when I wake up, and my neck hurts. Somehow, I managed to cuddle up with Max, except my head was at a strange angle, and I can barely move it now.
“Good morning,” he says, glancing down at me with sleepy eyes. “You did come over last night.”
I bolt upright, remembering that this is the morning I’ll have a lot of the town coming through my coffee shop, at least I hope so. Trying to turn my head to the right is impossible, too much pain shooting up my neck.
“What’s on your face?” Max asks, getting closer to see. We’re mere inches from one another, and he gently wipes at something just above my cheek. “Is it dirt?”
I sigh. “No, that would be part of the cocoa powder explosion. I must’ve forgotten to clean myself off after working on the floor.”
Max tries to look serious, but I can see his smile trying to break through.
“Go ahead and laugh. It might take me another few hours before I can manage it.”
“I think it looks good on you,” he says. “Is it like glitter? Where you keep finding it?”
I groan. “Yes! Cocoa powder is giving glitter a run for its money.” I turn to squint so I can see the time on the oven since my phone is probably lost in the couch. “You were right. This couch is not comfortable. My back and my neck are all sore.”
Max frowns. “Let me see if I can help ease some of the tension.”
He moves his hands to my neck, and I practically melt as he massages firmly, but not so hard that I want to cry.
The room is quiet, but with each moment, the tension heightens.
