Page 38 of Written with Love

Juliette watched him for a moment, admiring the way he spoke about his family. He was so steady, so devoted. It was one of the things she loved most about him.

Not loved, she corrected quickly. Liked. She liked that about him. She had to slow herself down. Love was a step often taken too quickly, and she didn’t want to fall into that trap. What did she really know about him? Sure, there was a ton of physical sparks between them. That much was obvious. She knew he loved his work. Knew that he loved his family. He was an amazing storyteller. She loved his movies and the few books he’d published were some of her favorite re-reads.

She also knew that he made her laugh, that he listened—really listened—when she spoke. That he challenged her in ways no one else had. But was that enough?

She let out a slow breath, the salty air filling her lungs as they walked along the shore. The cool breeze played with the hem of her jacket, and she hugged herself as she glanced over at Max.

“What happens next?” she asked, her voice barely audible above the sound of the waves.

Max slowed his steps, turning his head to study her. “With what?”

She gave him a knowing look. “With us.”

He stopped walking entirely, and she followed suit, shifting to face him. The fading light cast a soft glow over his features, making the warmth in his eyes stand out even more.

“I was hoping you’d tell me,” he admitted as he pulled her close. “I know what I want, but I don’t want to push you.”

She shifted and rested her head against his chest and swallowed. “And what is it you want?” she whispered.

He leaned back until their eyes locked. He smiled but there was something serious in his expression. “I want to see where this goes. I don’t want this to be just some fling or something we look back on as a ‘fun little thing’ that happened while we were working together.” He reached up, tucking a strand of hair that had been blowing in her eyes behind her ear. “I want you, Juliette.”

Her heart slammed against her ribs. He always spoke with such certainty, like he wasn’t afraid to say what he felt. She envied that.

She took a breath. “I just… I don’t want to rush into something we aren’t ready for.”

Max nodded. “I don’t either. But that doesn’t mean we have to pretend like this isn’t happening.” He gestured between them. “Because it is. And it’s real.”

She bit her lip, torn between the part of her that wanted to throw caution to the wind and the part that whispered reminders of past heartbreaks.

He must have sensed her hesitation because he took her hands in his. “I’m not asking for forever right now,” he said gently. “I’m just asking for a chance to see where this goes. Together.”

Juliette let his words settle over her, warmth spreading through her chest. Maybe she was overthinking things. Maybe she didn’t need all the answers right now.

Maybe, for once, she just needed to take a chance.

A small smile curved her lips as she looked up at him. “Okay,” she said finally. “Let’s see where this goes.”

Max grinned, then pulled her into his arms again, wrapping her in a hug that felt like home. She closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the feeling, into him.