Page 55 of The Charming Checklist
Ava sighed. “Until she figures out where she went wrong with me.”
“You’re not serious.” He tugged on a lock of her hair.
“I wish. My poor mom. I almost feel sorry for her. She can’t seem to accept that my not following in her footsteps isn’t an insult.”
“That’s an interesting problem to have.” Max pulled her closer and kissed her temple. “My father would have had a difficult time accepting it if Iwantedto follow in his footsteps.”
“Yeah?”
“He worked hard when his parents immigrated to this country. But he was deprived of much of an education because of the traveling they did from one agricultural town to another. He settled us in Watsonville because he always wanted better for me. So did I.”
“We had such different upbringings. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. I—”
“It’s not ungrateful to want to make your own way even with all the opportunities you were given. You have to live the life you want.”
“I hope you know that you don’t have to prove yourself to the world anymore. You made it, Max. You’re a success and no one can argue with that. It’s all you, and your fierce determination. You don’t need anyone to—”
“This is about the list, isn’t it?”
“Well, it did occur to me that maybe you didn’t think you were enough. That you needed someone bright and shiny on your arm to prove that you’ve arrived.”
“You’re bright and shiny.” He grinned.
“But I’m not the woman on your list.”
He groaned. “I feel like that list is going to haunt me long after I’m dead and buried.”
But she didn’t regret bringing this up. They were sleeping together now and certain things would have to be aired out. “I don’t want to be someone you settled for.”
He cursed. “Don’t ever say that again. I’mnotsettling.”
“Aren’t you? I mean, the list was over-the-top, but it also makes sense to have some idea in mind of the woman you want to be the mother of your children.”
She felt his muscles tense under her touch so she may have hit on a nerve.
“Why? Who did you picture as the father of your children?” He went up on one elbow and turned to face her. “Or did you not get that far?”
“Christian Bale, of course. You know, as Batman. I thought my kids would enjoy that.”
“Okay, smart-ass.” He rolled on top of her and pinned her there.
She wound her arms around his neck and grinned. “Actually, I always thought he’d be like my father was when I was younger. Affectionate, playful, sort of...larger than life.”
And, she admitted to herself, until now Max had only one out of those three qualities. Still, she’d started to fall in love because she’d followed her heart as she always did. Max had opened himself up to her and she’d found that other side of him. His big heart.
“Those aren’t many qualities, baby.” He nuzzled her neck.
“They’re enough. The most important thing I can give my children is loving their father and putting each other first. Everything else will fall into place.”
“Sounds like my parents.”
“Max. Is this... Are we a fling?” She needed to hear the answer because she was already falling for him. Hard.
“What? No! Why would you think that?” He stiffened. “Don’t answer that. Thelist. I wish I could burn that damn thing in a bonfire.”
“That’s not why. I mean, I would be okay with this if it was just a fling.”
Liar.There went that propensity to want to please everyone. To be their best friend. She wasn’t even being honest withherselfright now.
