Page 101 of Can We Skip to the Good Part?
“I like the plan,” Ella said, following Doug’s general gesturing toward the far wall of the store. “I’m gonna go talk to Max and then I’ll be back over to help with the blaze of books.”
“They’re so hot you can’t handle it,” he called after her.
“I believe it.”
He was in much better spirits today, which was heartening to see. Even his humor was back in full force. She followed the curve of the new shelving until she came to an opening where two beautiful new tables sat alongside each other like old friends. Max approached, carrying a cup of coffee.
“I took the liberty when I heard your voice,” she said. Her smile was guarded but laced with hope.
“Thank you,” Ella said as she accepted the coffee swirled with just the right amount of cream. Max knew her ratio: not too dark, not too light. It wasn’t just the coffee, either. It was Max remembering the details, always. That had to count for something.
Max exhaled. “So, I’m here.” She was dressed for work in a slim-fit maroon blazer and black pants, which meant the stop at Doug’s was a late morning detour in her day. She’d made the time.
“You are.”
“I was afraid if I texted again, you’d be polite, but distant.”
“I would have been,” Ella said. She let her bag slide off her shoulder. “Doesn’t mean I don’t still like you.”Love. She knew the word was love, but this wasn’t the time or place to go there. That information would stay tucked safely behind her heart.
Max seemed relieved. Her features relaxed. “That’s a start.” They shared a tentative smile. The ground felt shaky, and the future seemed dubious. But they were stillthem. She felt it all over just being in Max’s presence. How could both dynamics exist? “I like you, too. And I want us to figure this out.”
Ella shrugged. “And how do we do that, Max? I can’t go down a path I’ve already explored. I know how the story ends. If there’s another way, I’m all ears.” She tried not to hold her breath, but this felt like a crucial moment.
Max took a seat and gestured for Ella to do the same. She slid into the chair across from Max and, unsure what to do with her hands, folded them like a student waiting for class to begin.
Max took the cue. “I think about what happened at Christmas a lot. I know I was in the wrong, but acknowledging my mistake and moving forward wouldn’t get to the crux of the actual problem.”
“I think you’re right.” The words were helpful and promising, but she couldn’t quite let herself get her hopes up when she was still very hurt.
“I think you deserve more than an apology. So, I’m going to say this and then I’m going to get out of your hair and let you work.”
“Okay.”
“My mission to keep my family happy has become an invisible habit, so second nature to me that I didn’t register its effect. I crashed and burned because life isn’t about doing what appeases others. My mother has always been a prominent figure in my life, and my need for approval would become a never-ending quest if I let it.”
Ella nodded, remembering their very candid conversation at the night market.
“I’m not going to. I’ve had those conversations, and if you allow me to show you, you will never find yourself without light on your face again. You’d be my priority because I love you, Ella.” She held up a finger. “You don’t have to say anything. Just think about these words, and we can talk more later. Because I’m committed to keep showing up and letting you know how important you are.” She touched the table. “Have a good workday, okay?”
Ella nodded again, struck. “I will. You, too.” She stared in surprise as Max stood and left the shop. When the bell above the door dinged, she turned to the empty chair next to her and back again. Had Max just told Ella that she loved her and was planning to make changes in herself so they could have a future? It was a lot to digest. Her emotions warred and circled to the point that she didn’t hear Doug approach, but all of a sudden, there he was.
“It’s like one of those books you folks are always reading—right at the part where the heroine has to decide if she’s brave enough to want something big.” He gestured toward the door Max had just pushed through. “Here you sit, on the precipice.” He held his hands up. “Do you take the big leap, shove all your chips to the center of the table, or run away forever?”
She snapped her focus from the door to Doug. “I don’t know that I’d classify it as running away.”
“No? Just me then? Hmm.” He puttered away, mumbling something about too many boxes.
Was he right? Was she running from her fears before they had a chance to manifest fully? She’d been all about her and Max when it had been low-risk, but the stakes were higher the more she felt for this woman, who was as maddening as she was gorgeous.
“Let’s find you some flames, D-Man.”
Tuesday evening approached,and Max stood in front of the mirror for the third time, trying to decide whether confidence looked better with her hair down or pulled back. Her mother hovered nearby, equal parts nervous energy and fierce support, fussing with Max’s collar like they were preparing for a wedding instead of a book club. But maybe it was both, in a someday kind of way. Max had never worn nerves like this before—this wasn’t court, and it wasn’t work. This was personal. Deeply personal. And it mattered.
“Do you want to rehearse what you’re going to say?” her mother asked, smoothing down Max’s hair, after she’d decided to keep it down and free. “You look fantastic. Any woman can see that.”
“Thank you, Mom. No, I think I’m just gonna improvise.”
“I didn’t know attorneys did that. Don’t you all meticulously prepare for court engagements?”
