Page 60 of Waiting for Sunshine

I watch him for a while, admiring how hot it is that he knows how to cook so well. Everything smells amazing. At one point I walk over and toss a little powdered sugar at him, prompting him to chase me around the bar. When he grabs my waist and picks me up to set me on the island top, he notices I’m still not wearing anything under the t-shirt he let me sleep in. So let’s just say he had a little, pre-breakfast snack.

When we finally finish our food my gaze makes it way back over to the photo on the mantle. Once he sees what I’m looking at, he gets up and walks over, grabbing it from its spot and bringing it over to the island.

“This is Red, the man behind Chattahoochies name.” He says, as if to introduce me.

“He looks so happy, you all do.” I say softly.

“He was the happiest person I knew. Always helping people and wanting to make them smile. There wasn’t a single thing that Red couldn’t twist some positivity into.” He says, smiling at the photo as he remembers his friend.

“I’m so sorry you lost him, Max. Truly. He sounds like an amazing person and I wish I had gotten the chance to meet him.” I say, running my hand along his arm. He takes a deep breath and looks up at me, a calmness to his eyes I’ve never noticed before.

“You remind me a lot of him, Sunshine. Always thinking of others.” He says, pinching my chin and winking at me.

“Hey Max…”

“Yeah?” he takes a sip of coffee before setting it back down on the counter.

“I started to ask you this the first time you ever said it. You told me maybe one day you’d tell me, but I haven’t brought it back up; secretly because I loved that you had your own nickname for me and I really didn’t care why. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious… Why do you call me Sunshine?” he takes my hand in his, placing it in his lap.

“The first day I met you, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time. It was weird for me because it was instant. The second I looked into those beautiful ocean eyes of yours.” He looks over at me and I’m hooked.

“What did you feel?” I ask, hanging on to every word. He sighs, staring right into my eyes as he brushes a piece of hair behind my ear.

“I felt like I was seeing the sun shine after being in the middle of a storm I thought would never end. I didn’t know it until I saw you that day, how desperately I was waiting for sunshine. How desperately I was waiting foryou.” He admits, pulling one corner of his mouth up into a half smile.

Just like that, any part of my heart I thought wasn’t already his, was. Max is completely different than any other man I’ve ever met. He is everything I’d hoped to find in someone one day, I just didn’t realize that day would happen so soon after leaving California. He is strong and brave, loyal, kind, and trustworthy. And he looks at me like I am the only woman in the world for him. I hope I am, because after being with Max, I’m not sure how I could ever be with anyone else.

* * *

Taylor

You okay?

Taylor

If you don’t respond soon I’m sending a search party

Taylor

Bitch you’re lucky I have your location.

Taylor

The sex can’t be that good, freaking text me back!!!

My best friend is absolutely insane, and I fucking love her for it. I finally made my way back to Max’s room to grab my phone, which he had put on the charger at some point. He literally thought of everything, but I had forgotten we were supposed to be planning Lauren’s surprise party today.

Me

I’m okay. I’m at Max’s house. The sex IS that good, thank you very much and he fucking made me breakfast bitch

Taylor

Well damn girl. Bout time you had a man worth a shit. But also, get your ass home we have a party to plan!

Me

Be there soon.

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