"Something that scares me and excites me in equal measure."
"Scared in a good way?”
"Definitely in a good way."
The food arrives, and we spend the next hour talking about everything. His stories about Ghost and Ranger. My dating disasters. His love for the mountains. My complicated relationship with city life.
"Dessert?" the waiter asks when our plates are cleared.
"Actually," Max says, looking at me with an expression that makes my pulse race, "would you like to take a walk? There's something I'd like to ask you."
"A walk sounds perfect."
He pays despite my protests, and soon we're strolling through downtown Atlanta, his jacket draped over my shoulders.
"So," I say, acutely aware of how close he's walking, "what did you want to ask me?"
"How long can you stay out tonight?"
The question makes me stumble slightly, and he steadies me. "How long do you want me to stay out?"
"Honestly? Forever. But I'll settle for however long you're comfortable with."
"Forever might be ambitious for a first date."
"This doesn't feel like a first date."
"What does it feel like?"
He stops walking and turns to face me, his hands settling on my waist. "It feels like you were made for me."
And then he's kissing me.
His lips are soft but sure, moving against mine with confidence that makes my knees weak. I melt into him, my hands fisting in his jacket, pulling him closer. The kiss deepens, and I can taste wine and something uniquely him.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard.
"Wow," I whisper.
"Wow," he agrees, his forehead resting against mine. "Chantay?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm falling for you. Hard and fast and completely."
"Good," I say, rising on my toes to brush my lips against his again. "Because I'm falling for you too."
"What do we do about it?"
"We figure it out as we go along."
"Together?"
"Together," I confirm, and seal the promise with another kiss that makes me believe in possibilities I never thought were meant for me.
6
MAXIM
