“We should start calling her Apple, since her phone is connected to her hand,” Lila says.
I let out a small chuckle, her words catching me off guard. But a sadness creeps in after. Cora is missing so much time with her daughter. And Lila can see it.
We end up choosing the board game, and while it’s not typically my favorite, the banter between Max and Lila is totally worth it. Even after a couple of hours, I’m still not sure we’re playing correctly. Sometimes Lila pretends certain things are official rules, but they’re mostly to benefit her. I will give Max credit, though. He checks the rule book several times to correct her.
We get to the last part of the maze, and I’m losing horribly. The hard part about this game of Talisman is that you can die several times, then come back to life. I’m used to games where, once you die, you’re free to go do whatever you want. Like sit like a vegetable on the couch and process the full day.
At some point, we pulled out snacks, popcorn, and just about anything else to keep us awake.
“I don’t think you can do that,” Max says with a smile when Lila attempts another suspicious move.
She crinkles her nose. “Why not?”
“Because that’s a rule.”
He keeps her in check, but she still eventually wins the game.
I blow out a breath of relief, grateful to be done.
Lila yawns dramatically, and I know that’s a sign she needs to get to bed.
“I’m good,” she says. “I’m fifteen, Avery. I can stay up as late as I need to.”
I raise an eyebrow and wait for her to correct herself.
“Okay, fine,” she mutters. “I’ll go to bed. Thank you for playing, Max.”
She leaves the room.
“What about helping us clean up the game?” I call down the hall.
Lila ignores me and shuts her bedroom door with a quick click.
Max and I work together to gather the pieces.
“What do you think? Did you like the game?” I ask, stacking cards back into the box.
“That was quite the experience,” Max says, shaking his head.
I laugh. “It always is when you’re playing with Lila. She’s competitive to a fault and hates to lose.”
“Don’t we all though?” Max says, his gaze drifting somewhere far away.
I place the cover back on the box. “How are things going with the project?” I ask, more curious than ever.
“So far, so good. Talia seems competent, which is a relief.”
I look at him. “Why did you hire her then, if you didn’t know whether she could get it done?”
He opens his mouth to speak and then pauses for a moment, as if trying to gather his thoughts. I put the game back on the shelf and walk over to sit on the couch.
Max follows, sitting only a few inches away and turning toward me, giving me his full attention. “There have been many people in my life who gave me second chances, or opportunities I didn’t necessarily deserve. I remember feeling grateful for those. Sometimes people just need someone to trust them to get started.”
“Yeah, but usually those are people who know them personally,” I say. “They get special treatment because of that.”
Max rocks his head back and forth. “Many do. Which is why I try to give people the benefit of the doubt.”
I narrow my gaze at him. “Your employers must have a lot of faith in you to let you run with this as much as you are.”
