AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Max:Sounds good to me.
He didn’t bother to deny that he was excited to see her and having her to himself at his place sounded perfect. The last time he’d seen her there had been at the party she’d crashed. Funny to think that it had only been two weeks since they’d first met but it felt like a lifetime to him.
Part of it he knew was the stuff with his mom. Though they hadn’t talked about his family, just talking to Angelica about other things made him feel more balanced. Less out of control, which he knew could easily happen as he tried to figure out if the change in his mom was permanent or just something new that was going on with her. His dad hadn’t been able to figure out why his mom had used “us” in her email. Since at the time she hadn’t been talking to him.
Both he and his dad had decided maybe she’d meant the three of them as a family. He pushed all thoughts of his family aside as the front door to the town house opened and Angelica waved at him as she walked toward the car. He got out and went around to open the door for her. When she got close, she sort of jumped toward him and wrapped him in a hug.
He caught her, breathing in the clean, fresh scent of her hair, the cinnamon smell of her perfume and that essence that was just Angelica. He held her longer than he knew he should but he’d missed her more than he’d admitted.
He used his hand to tip her head back and when their eyes met, he kissed her. He meant for the kiss to be everything that he couldn’t say. That he missed her. That she’d been his savoir on days when he’d been fatigued by life. That he was glad to be back in her arms.
Things that he’d never allow himself to say out loud. But they were all true. And he wondered how he was going to continue this relationship with her until Christmas, knowing that the future was murky. He had no plan and when he tried to turn his attention to it, he didn’t like the options.
She put her hands on his face as she ended their kiss. “This is the best surprise ever. I wanted to see you when you got back but had no idea when that would be.”
“Me too. I meant to go home and text but instead came here,” he said. “Glad you didn’t mind.”
He held the door open and got her seated in the car before stowing her bag and when he got in behind the wheel, she had her seat belt on but turned to face him. “I’m just so surprised,” she said again. “I really am glad to see you.”
He had to be honest with himself. It had been a long time since he’d had a woman seem this happy to see him. He liked it. It stroked his ego and made him feel big. But at the same time he felt a niggle of worry.
Chapter Eleven
Angelica started spendingmore nights with Max whenever he was in town after that. She left a toothbrush, hair products and a change of clothes at his place and he did the same at hers. But she noticed he was more comfortable when they stayed at his place. She didn’t have much time to dwell on that tonight. It was Christmas On the Square. A big festival held on the Square in Whiskey River to sort of kick off the season. All of the shops stayed open late, there was a live concert and Kelly Boots—the world-famous boot makers who were local to Whiskey River—always had a special limited-design release for Christmas each year.
They were in such demand that people lined up to put in their order. She and Cosima had the boutique open and the wine shop was doing a flight and charcuterie board pairing and they’d designed a card that had tips for charcuterie boards at home.
They both wore red velvet mini dresses and ankle boots along with red Santa caps. Max was working with Reg at a booth they’d set up to tell people about the Second Start development in The Barrels.
“Hey, Angelica, you got a minute?”
She glanced up, surprised to see Sully Calloway standing near the doorway of the shop. She waved at him as she walked over. He wore a red gauge in one ear and a black leather motorcycle jacket over jeans.
“Hi, Sully. Thanks for sending Sox our way. I think she’s going to do the art for us,” Angelica said.
“That’s great. I, uh, need a favor,” he said.
“Are we favor-level friends?” she asked with a teasing smile.
“I’ll owe you big-time, if you do this,” he said.
“What’s up?”
“My assistant loves those Kelly Boots but I can’t deal with people especially the ones in this town. Last year Siobhan got them for me, but she’s on the outs with my brother and won’t hook me up. Would you go order me a pair?”
“That line is crazy. Doesn’t Logan know one of the Kellys?”
“He does but he and Avery are still in L.A. for a premiere. I know we’re not close but you seem to like people. I mean I’d really owe you.”
“Well I can’t leave Cosima in the lurch. Can you work behind the bar for me?”
“I’m an expert at pouring drinks. Just show me what to do,” he said. She led him over to the bar where they’d already set up the wine for the flights and Jock had sent over one of his staff members to take care of the charcuterie boards. Their shop assistant was covering the boutique and they had waitstaff to help in the café. So if Sully filled the bartender role they should be okay.
She explained what he needed to do and Sully gave her information for his assistant and the money for the boots. Cosima was cool with her going but wanted a pair for herself. So by the time she got to the Kelly Boots storefront she had two orders to fill. It was a chilly night for Texas and there was an ice and snow warning for overnight.
She rubbed her hands together to keep them warm when Max came over carrying two insulated cups. “Hot chocolate? I seem to recall you love it.”
She laughed and reached out to take one from him. “Thank you. It’s freezing out here tonight.”
