Sugar Rush (Friend-Zoned 3)

She smiles over at me. “Yeah, you can actually. Park your ass and eat before these greedy men scarf it all.”

I smile and roll my eyes, taking a seat in the very middle of the closest side of the table. Max takes the seat on my left side and moves it away, and then sits on my right side. Ceecee wheels herself into the now-open spot on my left, and smiling, I reach down and squeeze her hand. “You’ve been exercising, young grasshopper?”

Wide eyes, she looks up at me and nods enthusiastically. “Yeah, I have. And dad doesn’t even need to remind me.”

“That’s awesome, honey. I am so proud of you. Any cramping?”

She smiles softly down at her lap. “Nope. None.”

My heart soars. You couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face. “That’s because you’re a champ.”

When everyone is seated and chatting away, Maria places the last of the dishes on the table and announces, “Let’s eat!”

The men dig in first. I’m not surprised to see Nik hand the plate he has just filled to Tina. He’s always been too sweet for his own good. No wonder women love him. He’s sexy and attentive. I sit there, waiting for the hungry males to get their fill before I stack my plate.

There is so much food. There’s pancakes, eggs cooked two ways, bacon, sausage, paella, buttered flatbread, spicy baked beans, tortillas, baked tomatoes, pan-fried garlic mushrooms, cubes of potato sautéed in butter, freshly made salsa, and quiche.

Oh my gads. Secretly, I’m ecstatic to be here.

I turn to Ceecee, stand, and take her plate. “What are you having, honey?”

She looks down at the plate, and then back up to me. I suddenly realize that Ceecee may not like people getting her food anymore. So when she responds, I slump in relief. “Scrambled eggs, bacon, and a pancake for now.”

I set her plate down in front of her then run my hand over her pretty auburn hair, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “Bon appétit.”

The men have stacked their plates, but I turn to see Max’s plate empty. I look up at him in concern. “You okay? Why aren’t you eating?”

He smiles down at me, talking in a hush. “Have I told you that you look beautiful today?”

My chest aches from the sweetness. Responding just as quietly, I smile softly and tell him, “Yes, you have, but I don’t think I’ve told you how handsome you look today. Which you do, by the way.”

His smile deepens. “Well, now I have to kiss you.”

My eyes widen in panic. I whisper hiss, “Max, don’t. Please don’t.”

He leans closer to me. “Those are the rules.”

I let out an exasperated noise. “Who makes these rules? Max, please don’t.”

A hair’s breadth away from my lips, he utters, “They’re going to find out anyway.” Then his lips touch mine in a soft but deep kiss, and suddenly, I’m glad to be facing away from Ceecee. No one wants to see their dad kissing some chick. I hate my heart for racing. I hate myself for not pulling away. But I just can’t. I’m powerless against this man.

The kiss lasts a short while, but long enough to show everyone the line of friendship has been crossed. As he pulls away from me, he pecks my lips, once, twice, then three times. Leaning back in his chair, he rests his arm at the back of my chair and looks around the table. Everyone but Nat, Ceecee, Max’s sisters, and his Mom are gaping. In fact, those not gaping are grinning from ear to ear.

I hear Nat mutter excitedly, “I knew it.”

Max looks around at the people gaping and stands before reaching for my plate. “C’mon, guys. Breakfast is getting cold.”

He piles my plate with all my favorite breakfast foods and some I haven’t tried, when Nik’s shock morphs into a beaming smile. He turns to a scowling Asher and utters, “Told ya. You owe me ten bucks.” Digging into his pocket, a sulking Ash pulls out a note and slaps it into Nik’s hand. Nik winks at me. I lower my face to hide my smile and shake my head slowly.

Ash glowers up at Max. “I’m gonna kick your ass.”

Max places my plate in front of me, lifting his own, filling it with food. As he sits, he returns a bored, “Quiet your sass, Ghost.” Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he kisses my temple, turns back to a now-fuming Asher, and mutters an amused, “You’ll upset my girl.”

Placing a hand over my face, my body shakes in silent laughter.

Sweet, funny Max.

Chapter Twenty-Seven