I was sautéing some ground beef to make tacos when Max buzzed my intercom.
“Come on up,” I said.
I unlocked my front door and left it open a crack, then returned to the stove and turned off the heat. I pulled tortillas, cheese, sour cream, salsa, and lettuce out of the fridge. When Max appeared in the doorway, I said, “We’re starving,” patting my stomach to indicate I was speaking for two. “Want to join us for tacos?”
Max smiled. “Sure, I’m starving too.”
We each made a plate, then moved into the living room. I slipped the DVD into my player and sat on the couch, while Max took the floor near the TV. Within seconds, the sight of our baby filled the screen.
Max froze, a taco halfway to his mouth. He set it back down on his plate and breathed, “Oh my God.”
I smiled as I watched him take in the sight of our baby wiggling, kicking, and raising a tiny fist. “It’s almost like it knew it was on camera,” I said with a small laugh as I moved to sit down next to him. “It was showing off.”
Max’s eyes looked glassy as he stared in wonder at our child on the screen. “This is amazing.” He scooted closer to the TV and reached out to touch the screen. “It’s so big! I can’t believe how much it’s grown.”
“I know, I was in shock too.”
I started pointing out all the things the sonographer had—its spine, the shape of its head, and its steadily blinking heart.
Max turned to look at me, a thousand emotions threatening to burst forth from behind his hazel eyes. I returned his gaze, swimming in my own thoughts—like how things could have been so different in this situation if Madison wasn’t in the picture. Max reached out to touch my belly, his fingertips just barely grazing me. My skin tingled at his touch. My eyes followed his fingers as they moved around on my stomach.
“I felt a kick the other day … and a few more since then,” I said quietly. “It’s the most incredible feeling, Max.”
He looked back down at my belly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Wow. I wish I could experience it.”
“The sonographer said if I drink ice-cold water, it can wake the baby up and get it moving. Do you want me to try?”
“I would love that.”
I grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen and invited him to sit next to me on the couch. I drank, then gently took his hand and placed it on my belly. Both of us shyly avoided each other’s eyes as we waited patiently. It only took a minute for the baby to reward us with a swift kick just behind my belly button.
Max’s face came to life with a huge smile, nearly bringing tears to my eyes. He scooted closer to me on the couch, the sides of our bodies pressing against one another.
“Wow, it’s so strong,” he whispered, leaning in so our cheeks were practically touching.
“I know,” I said with a giggle.
His hand still on my belly, he moved it just slightly until I felt him lace his fingers with mine and squeeze tightly. “This is so unbelievable.”
His eyes were like magnets, pulling me closer to him. “Yes … it is.”
The whole world seemed to disappear for a moment. I could feel our heads inching closer together, his breath on my cheek.Is this really happening? Is Max going to kiss me?My body flushed with heat as I realized that I wanted him to—and then the path of Max’s lips diverted, and he dropped a quick peck on my cheek instead. He pulled away, raking his hands through his hair.
“Thank you, Savannah … for inviting me over, and letting me see the DVD. And that was amazing, feeling the baby kick like that.” He coughed awkwardly.
I forced a smile. “Oh … of course. I’m glad you could see it.”
He avoided my eyes as he carried his plate into the kitchen. I followed him, slowly. He set his plate on the counter and turned around to face me. “Listen—I’m so sorry if Madison upset you. I’m going to talk to her. Tonight.”
I sighed. “I don’t want to fight with her, Max. But she needs to respect my boundaries—and my place as this child’s mother.”
His eyes skittered away, like he was too embarrassed to meet mine. “Understood. Well, I’ll let you … get back to it.”
Our moment was clearly gone. And maybe a small part of me felt a little sad about it.
But it was probably for the best.
Friday was full of meetings with Meredith and Sam about the Pedro Torres pitch. I barely had time to wonder if Max had talked to Madison, and if so, what had transpired. After our awkward moment, I decided it was best not to reach out.
