Page 15 of Craving You

“Yes!”

Max: Can I pick you up from the airport? I work from home and am my own boss, so I can totally take the time off to come and get you.

Hailey: That’s very sweet of you to offer, but I’ve already made arrangements.

Hailey: I’ll call you when I get into town and get settled.

He realized she probably didn’t know that he essentially lived with Marcus and Billie, but thought it could be a pleasant surprise when she got here.

Max: I’m looking forward to it.

Max: Have a safe trip and I’ll talk to you soon

Hailey: Thanks, Max. I look forward to talking to you.

And that was it.

It wasn’t the most exciting conversation, and it was a far cry from the sexy banter they’d shared the weekend they met, but it was probably because they were both a little nervous.

Either way, he knew he’d make up for it once she got here. Then he could take her out on a proper date and spend some time getting to know her and do all the things he should have done a month ago.

Now that he knew she was coming to visit and she was open to seeing him, he had hope that they could possibly give the long-distance thing a try.

Leaning back against the sofa cushions, he couldn’t help but smile. So many things were just falling into place and life was beyond good.

“And it’s about to get a lot better.”

Chapter Three

“Sweetbriar Ridge town limits,” Hailey murmured as she drove past the sign. Her heart was racing with equal parts excitement and nerves.

Ever since she had gotten the official news that she was pregnant—which was really only days ago—she’d been nearly frantic to get here and see Max. She’d been silently willing him to reach out now that she knew he had her number, but when he did, it was just an awkward conversation about her coming to town. Not that she would have told him over the phone—or maybe she could have—but telling him was her top priority. Unfortunately, she didn’t know him well enough to know how he was going to react.

She thought about the first time she saw him. He was walking out onto Levi and Jade’s deck the day before the wedding. They were hosting the rehearsal dinner—which was really just a massive gathering of the Donovan family—and Hailey had been sitting by herself, just people watching. Max had stepped outside, and her heart had kicked hard in her chest. He was so handsome, and he was smiling like he was having the time of his life. It was crazy how drawn to him she felt, even as she was too shy to get up and introduce herself.

Luckily, Max didn’t have that same issue.

“Great night for a rehearsal dinner, don’t you think?” he’d asked as he casually sat down beside her, almost as if he was drawn to her too.

She’d felt herself blush as she awkwardly combed her blonde hair behind her ear. “It is. I’m glad the weather’s cooperating.”

Lame, Hailey. Talking about the weather is just lame.

He nodded. “Oh, Mother Nature wouldn’t dare put a damper on this weekend. This wedding is long overdue, and I think the universe is breathing a sigh of relief that it’s finally happening.”

She looked at him oddly. “That’s an awful lot of attention on Marcus and Billie. You must think highly of them.”

Another nod. “Marcus is my brother,” he said casually. “And I’ve known Billie almost my whole life. If things had gone the way they were supposed to, this wedding should have happened about ten years ago.”

Her eyes went wide. “Really? I had no idea!”

“Yup. They were high school sweethearts who had everything going for them. Until…well…that’s not my story to tell.” Then he leaned in close. “But thanks to me, they’re back together.” He playfully nudged her shoulder. “I try not to brag, but…I figured you might want to know.”

He was adorable and charming on top of the whole handsome thing.

“Well, I hope they’ve given you all the praise and credit,” she said solemnly. “After all, it’s only fair. You’re kind of a hero.”

When he smiled, she saw dimples. “They promised to name their firstborn after me, but I told them it was too much. I mean, don’t get me wrong; it would be awesome, but could the world really handle another Maxwell Calloway?” He sighed dramatically. “The poor lad would have such a hard time living up to the man, the myth, the legend…”

---