That was fine. It made it fun to hang out with him, and they’d beseeing a lot of each other over the next few weeks.
“Thank you,” Max said a moment later, his voice low. “This… thismeans the world to me. That you’re willing to try.”
“You’ve said,” Connor reminded him.
“I’m not gonna stop saying,” Max responded. “I mean… ifnothingelse, you’ve given me hope. I just… I guess now that I know it’s reallyhappening, I want you to know that it’s okay if we don’t win this. I’dliketo, but the hope… the hope is good, too.”
Connor swallowed.
He’d been determined to win before, but now, he’d go to the endsof the Earth for it. Max needed this a thousand times more than he did.
The whole point of his career had been to make people happy doingwhat he loved. This was his chance toreallymake a difference, not juston one day, but for the rest of Max’s life. Max’s sister’s life. His wholefamily’s.
Connor hadn’t met Zoe, but if she was anything like her brother,the world needed more people like her. It would have been nice to do somethingreally, truly worthwhile.
“So uh… you want that coffee?” Max asked.
Connor chuckled. “Well, I’ve got a wedding to plan, so yeah. I’dlike two coffees, and two of whatever kind of pastry you want.”
Max blinked at him.
“One of them is for you,” Connor clarified.
“No, I… figured, but you don’t have to do that. You’ve done somuch already and you’re about to do a whole lot more.”
“And I couldn’t do it without you,” Connor said.
That was true, but he also wanted Max to have the chance to enjoythis moment. If they didn’t win, this was the happiest he was going to be for awhile.
“I… guess I could take ten minutes? I’m due a break, and weprobably should celebrate a little.”
Connor beamed at him. “And I’d love some company with my coffee,”he said.
Max took two cups from the top of the machine, blushing. “I’llbring it over. What kind of pastry do you want?”
“Surprise me,” Connor said, claiming the small, cozy table in thecorner. He took out his laptop and tried to focus on setting up a file for thiswedding, but he couldn’t stop himself from glancing up at Max from time totime.
He looked sohappy,and he was stunning when he was happy.His whole body looked relaxed for once, his face looked softer and less tired.
He was always pretty, but happiness made him glow.
Connor finally focused on his laptop as he saw Max puttingeverything on a tray, not wanting to make it obvious that he’d been watchinghim.
“One coffee, and one slice of chocolate cake for you, since youenjoyed it so much last time,” Max said, sitting down beside Connor.
“Thank you,” Connor said eagerly, looking over to see what Max hadchosen so he’d know for the future.
There was nothing else on the tray.
“Did you not… want cake?” Connor asked. “Because it’sreallygood.”
“Coffee is fine,” Max said. “I didn’t want to take anything elsefrom you.”
Connor sighed, but didn’t want to push on the subject. He’d haveto be sneakier about giving Max things.
Even if Max was never going to be attracted to him, he wanted tobe Max’sfriend. He seemed like the kind of guy who could use one. Areal friend, not someone who employed him. Declan and Ash were great, andConnor was sure his boss at the bowling alley was fine, but Max needed someonewho wasjusthis friend.
Connor wanted to be that person. He liked being around Max.
