Page 16 of Craving You

The giggle was out before she could stop it, and fortunately, he laughed with her. “You’re too kind, Maxwell Calloway. Sparing that poor child. I’m sure you’ll be the favorite uncle.”

He glanced around. “Well, I don’t want Levi to get jealous. So maybe we keep that part to ourselves.” Then he winked, and Hailey swore she was ready to sigh dreamily. “It would be an unfair advantage, and I think Levi’s a great guy, so…” He shrugged.

“I have to agree about Levi, but then again, I can’t let the rest of the Donovan men know that.”

Max arched one dark brow, and she already knew what he was asking.

“I’m Hailey Donovan, Billie’s cousin. I’m not sure you realize how big this family is, but there are easily over a dozen male cousins. If I openly admitted that I thought Levi was awesome, a brawl could break out. Trust me.”

“Interesting. I was not aware of how large the family was, but now that you mention it, there are a lot of people here that I’ve never met before. I thought this was just supposed to be a small and intimate dinner for the bridal party.”

“You think this is a lot?” She laughed softly. “Silly man. This is just a fraction of the Donovans who will be at the wedding tomorrow.” Then she pointed out all her relatives and told him who they were.

“I hope I’m not going to be quizzed on this,” he teased. “I’m terrible with names.”

She didn’t think it was possible for him to be terrible at anything. He was handsome and funny, and he smelled freaking delicious. It took every ounce of self-control for her not to lean in and simply inhale.

How awkward would that be?

“So, tell me, Hailey Donovan, did you have to travel far to come to this joyous event?” he asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“I live down in Fort Lauderdale, so…not too terribly far. Just a five-hour flight with a layover. No biggie.” She smiled. “What about you? Do you live here in Sweetbriar Ridge?”

“Actually, I just moved back. Not that I lived too far from here—just an hour away—but I missed this little town and felt like I needed to come back. Well, that and my dad’s had some health issues, and it was just better for me to live closer. Of course, when I decided that, I had no idea that Marcus was moving back, so…it’s going to be great having our family all in one place again.”

“I’ve lived in Fort Lauderdale my whole life. My parents are still there, and I have one sister and three brothers who are all still there too. I wish we were closer to some of our cousins, but we all try to get together at least once a year. Sometimes more in the last few years because so many of them got married.”

Max noticeably looked down at her hand before asking, “And what about you, Hailey? Any husband or boyfriend lurking around the party?”

Her blush was back as she shook her head. “I was about to say sadly no, but to be honest, I’m not sad about it. Especially not right now.”

Gah! That was bold! Was it too bold? Did I just ruin this fun, flirty conversation?

“I’m not sad about it either,” he murmured huskily. “Now I feel like I can relax and really turn on the charm.”

She didn’t think it was possible for him to become more charming, but…he did.

They got up and walked around the yard, enjoying the appetizers and sipping wine. Max told her about his job as a cybersecurity analyst and how he owned his own small firm, and she talked about her career as a nutritionist and how she also taught yoga and Pilates.

That last part really piqued his curiosity, and he made some rather mildly naughty inquiries about her flexibility.

When they were far enough away from anyone who could hear them, she replied, “I started taking ballet when I was three years old. I kept it up until college and then put all my attention on yoga. Let’s just say I can easily bend in half as well as wrap my legs around my neck.”

His arm banded around her waist and his breath was warm on her cheek. “Is it wrong that I want to find out for myself if that’s true?” he whispered.

She hummed sweetly. “You could come down to Florida and take one of my classes.”

His laugh was low and thoroughly masculine. “If that’s the only way I can see it, I’ll book my flight now.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to invite him to her hotel room right now, but this was his brother’s rehearsal dinner, and it would be wrong to ask him to leave. Plus, they didn’t even really know each other.

Yet.

Making the turn onto Main Street, she slowly drove along until she reached Books & Beans. Billie mentioned she was working today and to come there first before going to the house. This actually worked out well for her because she was definitely hungry.

After parking right out front, she climbed from her rental car and went inside. The smell of coffee was very strong, and it hit her hard.

And not in a good way.

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