Love You Always

“That so?” He takes a sip of his coffee. I do the same, lifting the hot chocolate to my mouth to take a giant sip before putting it back down. He reaches over, wiping the top of my lip to get some of the marshmallow off of it. He brings his thumb to his mouth and licks it clean. My stomach turns over with excitement at the small intimate act.

“What did I say about the hands!” Amelia shouts again from across the coffee shop with her mouth full of muffin. I think I’m the only one who really understands what’s she saying but that’s because I speak Amelia. She often talks with her mouth full of food.

“She always so protective?”

“Little bit.” I shrug. “She’s harmless.” I fiddle with my mug. “For the most part.” She could attach to you like a spider monkey if need be. I’ve seen it happen before. She’s quick, too, so she didn’t get arrested for the incident. The one I’m not allowed to ever bring up again. I still from time to time wonder how the flamingo is doing. I also don’t know who won that fight the day at the zoo. The zoo that shall not be named.

“Good.”

“Good? She could stab you with a fork.”

“I’ll risk it.” He laughs. I think he thinks I’m joking. “Speaking of forks can I take you out for a meal? There is a place across the away.” He nods to across the street. I look to the small Italian place that is one of my favorites. I often get it to go because it’s always so romantic inside I feel out of place eating there by myself.

“You kids about done?” Amelia grabs a chair, turning it backwards before plopping down into it.

“I think we are done here.” Max looks to me, waiting for me to agree to dinner.

“Yeah, we’re going next door to have dinner.” I keep my eyes on him. This is going so differently than I thought it would.

“Good. I’m starving.” Amelia starts to stand.

“Alone.” I tell her, pulling my eyes from his finally. I give her a look that lets her know I’m good. She’s the one always trying to get me to date anyway.

“It was the dimples wasn't it?” She pokes Max right in the cheek. He raises his eyebrows at her, probably second guessing his good comment about her. “Fine.” She picks up my flowers off the table.

“Those are mine.” I laugh.

“I’ll take them home for you.” She holds them close to her chest in a death grip. I’m not sure I’m buying what she’s selling. Amelia has a small obsession with flowers.

Max leans over toward me. “I’ll get you more, angel.” His mouth brushes my ear.

“He already nicknamed you?! This is moving a little fast. Everyone needs to pump the brakes.” Her eyes bounce between us.

“I got it from here,” I reassure her. I want to spend more time with Max. From the moment his eyes locked with mine when I entered the coffee shop, I felt something. Something I wanted to explore. Amelia gives Max a hard stare.

“I’m letting this go ‘cause Kim vouched for you but I’ll be around so watch yourself.” She runs her finger along her throat.

“Complete gentleman.” He smirks, holding his hands up. I’m not sure if he means that. Again my body heats because I know he’s not talking about being rude to me. I’ve had some of the same thoughts as we casually talked. My eyes kept drifting to his mouth.

“Well, I live next door to her so I’ll know when she gets home and I’m nosy as shit so I’ll be checking the peephole.” With those words, she heads out of the coffee shop.

“She’s not joking.”

“Never thought it. I’ve met her a few times. My sister speaks highly of her.” He stands, pulling out the chair for me.

“The sister who you owe millions of dollars to?” He pulls off his leather coat, putting it over my shoulders.

“We’re in the middle of a fight. This is her clever way of coming up with new ways to needle me.”

“You really going to pay it?” I ask as he leads me out.

“I’m making pretty good use of the debt.”

I laugh. “So you really spent a million dollars to go on a date with me?” It sounds completely unbelievable but maybe he’s just that rich and if I think about it a big chunk goes to his sister’s company. Still, not all of it. I am getting a cut of that money too. That fact still makes me feel a bit uncomfortable.

“I would have paid more.” We stop in front of the restaurant. His hand reaches up to caress my face. “I have to do this. I’ve been thinking about it since you walked into the coffee shop.”

“What?” I ask before his mouth comes down onto mine.