Page 91 of Can We Skip to the Good Part?
Ella held up a hand. “If that seems too forward, please just say so. I wanted to make this week easier on you, but I’m also well aware that you might not want me slipping in and out of your apartment.”
“But that’s exactly what I want.”
It felt like air was sucked out of the room. They each went still and stared at each other until a small smile crept onto Ella’s face and grew. “It is?” Her voice was tiny and cute.
“Yeah,” Max said, the stress of the day falling right off of her with that utterance. This right here was everything she needed.
“Good,” Ella nodded as if allowing it to sink in as she gathered the ingredients from Max’s fridge. “Sit down. I got this.”
“It doesn’t feel right to just sit and watch you cook. Here.” She moved around the kitchen, grabbing a pan, a spatula, and anything else she could think of that Ella might need. “I’m the chef’s assistant.”
“My sous chef,” Ella said.
“Your who chef?”
They shared a laugh, which came way too easily for such a simple quip. But it was late, they were punchy, and so damn happy to see each other.
Perched on the bar stool that sat up against the tall portion of her counter, Max kept Ella company while she moved through the kitchen like it was a dance she’d choreographed in her sleep. She had bacon sizzling and cooling on a paper towel-lined plate. She’d warmed the tortillas one by one on the skillet. And Ella was now whisking eggs in Max’s chipped green bowl with impressive focus. “So,” Ella said, not looking up as she poured the eggs into the pan, “want to know exactly what you missed at book club?”
Max placed her palms flat on the cool, granite surface. “Tell me. What did I miss?”
“Not much. I promise. We mainly just all agreed that the book was meh and talked about our lives a bunch.”
Max relaxed. “I’m still sort of jealous.”
Ella nursed the eggs into a fluffy scramble and began to plate the tacos, adding a healthy amount of shredded cheddar. “This is the best part,” she told Max with serious eyes. “You don’t skimp on the cheese.”
Max nodded. “I’m learning so much about you tonight. I’m gonna be the best who chef in Everly Springs.” She accepted the plate with the amazing-smelling taco. “How’s Rachel?”
Ella covered her mouth after the bite she’d just taken. “Amazing, now that she has a job. She’s been floating around the house for 48 hours now. I saw her doing ballet in the living room, which has always been a sign she’s happy.”
“Good for her. Get that ballet on. Where was she hired?”
“Get this. Carrington’s.” Ella’s blue eyes went wide while she waited for Max to react.
Max paused, taco halfway to her mouth. “She hates Carrington’s. They’re the enemy. According to her, they’re everything that’s wrong with department stores.”
“They were until Montclair’s laid her off and Leighton Morrow, executive at Carrington’s, came to town and wowed Rachel with her ideology at some event. They’ve exchanged cards and have been in contact. And now it’s led to a job.”
“Well, well. That’s honestly good news. I can’t believe I’m genuinely happy for her, but here I am. I’m apparently a maturing adult.”
“And the universe applauded.”
Max basked in the imaginary ovation. “Tell her I said that’s awesome.”
“You two are gonna be thick as thieves one day.”
It didn’t sound half bad to be close with the people who mattered to Ella, and maybe reimagine her relationship with Rachel. Max took a bite and sank into the savory wonder that was the breakfast taco, slamming her hand onto the counter to emphasize her immense feelings. Was there a better late-night dinner in existence? She challenged the notion. “You are a witch sent to win favor through bacon.”
Ella placed a hand on her hip. “I’ve been called many things, but that’s a new one.”
“Can’t hear you.” Max drew a circle near the side of her head. “The hum of happiness is too loud in my ears.”
Ella laughed. “You were hungry. I’ve never seen you eat so fast in my life.”
“Well.” Max raised a cheeky eyebrow and waited.
Ella’s eyes widened, and her cheeks slowly glowed pink. “You’re in a mood tonight. It’s fun.”
