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I thought back to the twins mentioning Tim and their excitement when they saw him. “That’s how Lucy and Logan got to know him?” I asked, connecting the dots.
Max nodded. “Exactly. Despite everything, I wanted to believe in him, to give him another chance. But he let that slip through his fingers, too.” He looked earnestly into my eyes. “Mia, I’ve seen relationships get strained and end because of Tim’s actions. I just want you to tread cautiously.”
A warm flutter settled in my chest, realizing the depth of his sentiment. “Thank you, Max,” I murmured, appreciating his protective stance and wondering what layers of feelings lay beneath his guarded exterior.
Chapter 14
Theintoxicatingaromaoffreshly brewed coffee filled the air, melding perfectly with the tempting scent of maple syrup wafting from the kitchen. Seated in a booth at the Pebble Point diner, Lucy, Logan, and I were in our own world. Our ice cream sundaes sat before us, piled lavishly with whipped cream and crowned with a glistening cherry.
“Chocolate is way better than caramel!” Lucy declared, her young eyes shining with conviction as she dug into her dessert.
“Nu-uh,” Logan countered with equal fervor, “Caramel reigns supreme!”
Their spirited discussion made me smile. I took a moment to enjoy the swirls of both chocolate and caramel on my sundae. “Why choose sides? Look, you can have the best of both worlds right here,” I said, holding up a spoonful that had a bit of everything.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed a shadow falling over our table. Looking up, I saw a familiar face framed by tousled brown hair. Tim stood there, a playful smirk dancing on his lips and his deep blue eyes sparkling with mischief. It struck me just how the soft lighting of the diner accentuated his chiseled jawline and the hint of stubble that graced his cheeks.
Without waiting for an invitation, he suddenly slid into the booth opposite me, his proximity unexpectedly making the space feel a tad warmer. “You seem to be someone who appreciates... variety,” he mused, directing his words at me with a teasing voice.
Caught off guard, I met his gaze, feeling a bit flustered. “Oh? And what might you be implying?”
Tim leaned a little closer, his voice dropping to a soft, playful whisper. “Just that it’s always fun to have options, isn’t it?”
The banter between the two young ones faded into the background. Tim’s words, while light and humorous, carried an undercurrent of something deeper. The challenge in his eyes was clear, pushing me not only about my sundae choices but also choices closer to the heart.
My face flushed as I met his gaze, not accustomed to such direct attention. “Well, I’m nothing if not a peacekeeper,” I replied, trying to match his lighthearted tone.
It was at that moment I caught sight of Max through the diner window. He stood just outside, his concerned expression evident as he observed our little gathering. The hint of worry clouding his features made my heart tighten with uncertainty.”
I waved, catching Max’s gaze through the window. His eyes softened, but the concern still lingered. Was he worried about my interaction with Tim, or was there something more behind his distant expression?
“Look, your dad’s here,” I announced to the children, seeing him push open the door to the diner.
“Great!” Tim exclaimed, his tone genuine and friendly. “The more, the merrier.”
“Hey, everyone,” Max greeted us with a stiff smile as he reached the table. I could sense the subtle tension between him and Tim.
“Hi, Dad!” Lucy and Logan chimed in unison, grinning up at their father.
“Max, have a seat,” I said, gesturing to the empty spot beside me. He nodded and took his place, his presence bringing a sense of comfort and familiarity that I couldn’t deny.
“Did you know Dad and Mia saved Thor from a tree?” Lucy asked, her eyes sparkling with pride. “They climbed all the way up and brought him back down safely!”
Logan chimed in, “And it was all videoed!”
“Is that so?” Tim asked, a bemused grin on his face. “Well, I may not have rescued any superheroes, but I got up to some adventures at college.”
“Thor is a cat, silly!” Said Lucy.
“What adventures did you have, Tim?” Logan’s curiosity was piqued.
“Let’s see,” Tim began, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, nodding at the warning glance from Max. “Can’t tell you that one... or that one until you are 21 at least... I know! This one time, my roommate and I built a makeshift trampoline out of bedsheets and duct tape...”
As Tim launched into his story, I marveled at how easily he captivated the children with his tales. Despite their efforts to bolster Max’s image, Tim held his own, recounting humorous anecdotes that had us all laughing.
I glanced over at Max, who seemed to enjoy the lively conversation as well. But beneath his cheerful exterior, I sensed a hint of insecurity or jealousy. Was it because of Tim’s flirtation, or was there more to the story?
Back in the comfort of my room that evening, I settled down with a cup of chamomile tea and my trusty journal. The day’s events swirled through my mind, and I jotted down my thoughts as a way to process everything.
