Page 102 of Hawk & Sparrow

“Oh?”

“Yes.” Max took a deep breath. “I was wondering if … perhaps things didn’t have to end here. I wondered if, maybe, I could court you properly.”

Vesper saw it then, a whole new story with Maximilian on every page, in every chapter. She realized with an acute intensity that she wanted that more than anything. But …

“Society wouldn’t approve.” Vesper forced the words aloud. “You know as well as I do that I’m not the kind of girl you’re expected to court. Sarah would be more—”

“I’m not interested in Sarah.” Max’s expression was suddenly serious. “Nor am I interested in anyone else. I’d like to court you, Miss Evans, because…” He combed his fingers through his dark curls. “Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the first time I saw you in this coffeehouse, glaring at me with whipped cream on your lip. I want to court you because you’re the smartest, kindest, and possibly most stubborn woman I’ve ever met, and because I can’t imagine life without you in it. I don’t want to.” Maximilian still looked nervous. “Of course, if you don’t want to, I understand. If I’ve misread—”

“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate. “I would like that, very much.”

Maximilian beamed, and the whole world seemed to stand still. “I love you.”

Love. He was in love with her. Vesper felt the word more than she heard it, buzzing through her like a current of electricity. Maximilian Kite was in love, with her. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, waiting to wake up from whatever dream this was. But when she opened them again, Maximilian was still smiling at her, a question in his eyes. The words came to her unbidden.

“I love you too.”

Maximilian’s smile broadened. He came around the table and knelt, so that their eyes were level. He leaned in, and her pulse quickened.

“I’d like to kiss you now, Miss Evans,” he whispered. “May I?”

Vesper didn’t bother nodding her head. Instead, she closed the last few inches between them, took his face in both her hands, and kissed him. They’d kissed before, but this time it was different, slower. She felt something unfurl and realized that, for the first time in a long time, it seemed like everything would be all right. They broke apart, and Max grinned. “Well, now that that’s done.” He pulled out a chair and sat down across from her. “You can tell me how your morning’s been. But first, do try a little more tartlet. I’m working on my technique.”

Vesper smiled, then took another bite of the best raspberry tartlet she’d ever tasted.