His eyes go a little wide. “Are you prepared for that kind of stuff?”
I laugh. “This would be my first sandwich in the shop. We have a tiny panini press right now, and I’m working on getting more in. They should be here by tomorrow morning, so I’m hoping we’ll be able to use them for customer orders through the test-run event.”
He gives me a smile. “You got your business entered for this weekend?”
“Yeah. Let’s just hope it goes well.”
Something in his expression falters. “You won’t get to try any of the other activities that are on it? I thought it would be fun to take you with me to try the new restaurant on Saturday. I mean, since I haven’t gotten a text from you yet.”
I smile at him. “Oh, yeah, we’ll only have people coming in on Sunday, so tomorrow is mostly the go-karts, and there’s the cookout. I think there’s a surfing thing too, but I can’t remember any of the other activities or which days they’re on right now. I’m sure they’ll have a bulletin out tomorrow to get us started…” I pause. “I’ve been tempted to text you several times. I end up deleting them every time.”
His looks surprised. “Why?”
“I’m not sure. It just never seems like the right time to send it.”
Laughing, Max says, “A text from you will never come at a bad time.” His smile is smaller now, as if he’s worried he said something wrong.
“I appreciate it. We’ll have to hang out this weekend then.”
“I’m excited to see you there,” he says.
Me too, Max. Me too. Way more than I should be.
The door opens, and a taller man enters. “Max, get me a coffee.”
Max swivels around to look at him before he turns back to me with a small smile. “Can I get a coffee with all the milk and sugar in the world for my friend Aiden?”
“Do you have a specific amount of each? I mean, I can fill the cup half full of both with only a splash of coffee?” I give him a smile, so he knows I’m kidding.
“Enough sugar in his veins and he’ll only be worse to deal with,” Max says, shaking his head as if in irritation.
“Sounds like he’s the perfect match to balance out your black coffee.” I raise an eyebrow, waiting for his response.
“Then all is right in the universe.” He laughs. I like the sound of his laugh. I think I just like him. And that’s somewhat terrifying.
“Is he a coworker? Or a friend who came to visit?” I ask, curious.
“No. And yes. Well, kind of. It’s a long story.”
“One I’m curious to hear, but probably later since we actually have customers.” I point behind him, to where two more people are lined up.
He chuckles, and I ring him up for the sandwich and coffees before working to fill the order.
I give Max the coffee, and our fingers graze lightly. This is the first time we haven’t shocked ourselves in the shop when handing over a cup of coffee.
He heads over to a table, and he and his friend talk. The way Max carries himself—with confidence—and the way he’sable to put me at ease even when circumstances are hard, surprises me. The way he held my hand in my apartment, and his wanting to take me on a date even when I haven’t given him my number yet. The way he gives advice but allows me the room to choose what I want to implement.
I wish I could block my heart from having feelings for him, but I can’t.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder—or wait, that’s the wrong one. I meant something about absence taking away the sting or something. Yeah, I’m not the best at remembering quotes, unless they’re citings from law books.
I continue to work, trying to figure out why I haven’t sent a text to Max yet. Several answers come to mind, but none of them trump the rest as the winner. Maybe it’s just the freedom to choose, to not be ordered or demanded to do something.
There’s no obligation, rather.
Could that be my answer? That I’m relishing in the fact that he’s not demanding my attention, but trying to earn it?
It’s something I need to keep thinking about. But enjoying the weekend with him and Lila will be fun. At least I hope it will be.
