I shook my head to stop that little voice.
“Would you like to stay for supper? I have a pot roast in the oven. Maybe we can play cards after or something. I’ll drive you home later.”
I hesitated then decided I would like that. I’d left Maxx his dinner. I had worked all day. It would be nice not to eat alone in my room again.
“Sure.” I smiled at Mary. “I’d love that.”Mary’s pot roast was amazing, and I begged her for the recipe. It would make an easy dinner one night for Maxx. She opened a bottle of wine, and we ate on the porch, enjoying the nice evening. After, she brought out a deck of cards, and we played Fish and Crazy Eights, laughing and stealing cards like old friends. She was funny and witty. Sarcastic and sharp. I learned a few more things about Maxx, his parents, and his love of motorcycles. We ate cookies and drank tea as twilight descended.
“His father was very old-fashioned. A real gentleman. He adored Maxx’s mother, and the two of them were a great couple. He believed in doing things the right way—even if they were outdated. He brought Maxx up the same way. In many ways, Maxx is just like his father.” She shook her head. “I’ve been trying to get up to update his systems and software. He resists because he understands the old ways. I think you’ll be good for him. Bring him into the twenty-first century.”
I chuckled. “I’m going to try. He is certainly old-fashioned in some respects.”
“Some things you will never be able to change.” She met my eyes, hers serious. “Some, I would hate to see go.”
I knew what she meant. His courtesy, and the manners he had when he wasn’t growling at me. The way he dealt with people. He was kind and thoughtful. Under the right circumstances, tender. I had certainly experienced that part of him. Those traits were rare and special. I wouldn’t want to change that part of him at all.
“Did she do that?” I asked hesitantly. “Try to change him?”
Her nod and the swinging of her foot were the only affirmation I needed. I returned her gaze, not needing to speak. We understood each other.
We sat in companionable silence, enjoying the quiet.
“I suppose I should get going,” I said regretfully just as the sound of a rumbling engine broke the stillness.
Maxx’s truck pulled into the driveway, his face like thunder behind the wheel.
“Uh oh,” I muttered. “The bear is back.”
He got out of the truck, slamming the door. He stalked up to the steps, looking at us without saying a word.
“Maxx,” Mary greeted him. “Something on your mind?”
He ran a hand through his hair. By now, I realized it was one of his tells when he was upset and about to tell me off.
“Nope,” he said shortly.
“You were just driving by?” Mary asked, amusement lacing her voice.
“Something like that.”
“I was about to drive Charly home.”
“I’ll save you the trip and take her. You ready, Charly?” he asked, his voice telling me, no matter what, I was ready. Now.
I stood. “Yep.” I turned and hugged Mary. “Thanks for the girls’ night.”
“We should do this every week,” Mary insisted.
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll call you.”
“Oh, interesting,” Maxx said in a snarky tone. “You can call her.” He stomped to the truck. “I’m waiting.”
I exchanged glances with Mary, slightly shrugging my shoulders.
I climbed into the truck, the wine making me a little uncoordinated. Maxx watched me, not helping, a scowl on his face.
He backed out of the driveway quickly, before I could even put my seat belt on. He didn’t say a word, but I felt his anger rolling off of him. He turned into his driveway, pulling up in front of the house and braking hard. He slammed out of the truck, walking toward the house. Feeling angry now myself, I followed him.
“Crap on a cracker, what is your problem?” I shouted, chasing him into the house.
He whirled around. “My problem? My problem? You have a serious lack of communication skills, Charly.”
“What are you on about?”
“I come in and find you gone. Your bag is here, your laptop on the table. No sign of you. Dinner is in the oven, so I figured you went to your room, but you never showed up to eat—even later. So, I went looking for you, but you weren’t there. I had no fucking idea where you were. No way to call you since your phone was in your bag!” By the end of his diatribe, he was yelling. “I had no idea where you were!”
I stepped back at his vehemence. “I’m sorry. I went for a walk, and Mary picked me up. We were talking and enjoying each other’s company, and she invited me to dinner. I-I never thought… I mean, it didn’t occur to me you would even…” I trailed off.