Page 49 of Maximus

Who said I was making any for you?

“I’m starving,” Max finished.

I bet he is. He expended a godly amount of effort last night.

“I need coffee first,” I spoke for the first time.

“Fresh pot.” Max chuckled and unnecessarily tipped his head toward the machine. “Do you need any help?”

“Nope.” I was already pouring one-handed, but even if I needed both hands, Elijah wouldn’t fall. All four limbs were wound around me tight. “How’s your shoulder?” I asked, and immediately regretted my question when Max’s lips twitched and his eyes danced.

“It’s good.” He smiled.

I chose to ignore the dancing eyes, the smirk, and humor in his tone. Instead I focused on how grateful I was that I was holding Eli. I had a feeling if we’d been alone he would’ve said something seriously embarrassing.

“Great. I’m happy to hear that,” I mumbled and Max’s smile broadened.

Good Lord, he was good-looking.

Time to move on.

“Has Tex called?” I asked.

“Yeah, talked to him about an hour ago,” he told me and shook his head knowingly.

“And?”

“After breakfast.” Max jerked his chin and his eyes slid to Liam. “You want some apple juice?”

“Yes, please.”

Max grinned at my son and moved to do his bidding gratefully, taking him across the kitchen and away from me.

Yeah, last night was a huge mistake.

* * *

“So, you’re a fan of Singin’ in the Rain.”

“Huh?”

“The musical.”

I knew that Singin’ in the Rain was a musical, I just didn’t understand why Max was asking.

It was after breakfast, the boys were still in their pjs sitting on the couch watching TV, and I was in the kitchen cleaning up the dishes. Max had disappeared into his room to take a call but now he was standing behind me asking me this question that was so bizarre, even after consuming two cups of the strongest coffee I’ve ever had, I still couldn’t comprehend why he was bringing up a musical.

But more, Max didn’t strike me as the type of man who’d know that Singin’ in the Rain was a musical.

“I know what it is, I just don’t know why you’re asking.”

“Heard you singing to the boys this morning. The Good Morning song.”

“Were you eavesdropping again?”

“No, babe,” he snickered. “I was walking by the door to grab a shirt. I figured you wouldn’t appreciate your boys waking up and coming out into the kitchen seeing me shirtless.”

No, I wouldn’t have wanted my boys to see him half-naked, but I was sure sorry I’d missed the experience.