Once we finished our ice cream, we washed our hands and came back outside to relax.
It was about an hour into our conversation that her mother came out to ask if I was staying for dinner.
"I can't pass up food, ma'am, but don't you have work to do? Alexandria and I can cook if you would like."
"No, that’s okay. I am used to setting and forgetting it. I can work and cook at the same time."
"Yes, but you shouldn't have to. Come, baby, let's go and help your mom."
I watched as she gave her daughter a wink. I was getting in good with her mom. Good. I needed them on my side when I got her to agree to marry me. It seems sudden, but I had met the woman I wanted to spend forever with, so why waste time?
"I am making pot roast tonight with potatoes, carrots, and a salad. Is that good for you?"
"That is great. I haven’t had that in a while. My mother moved to Florida with my father, and I don’t get a lot of time to cook for myself. Thank you."
Alexandria and I went into full cooking mode while her mother returned to grading papers. Once she got done with the last paper, the three of us socialized about nothing and everything all at once.
Chapter 8—Alexandria
Oh my God, it had been a wonderful day with Max. I had a lot of fun just talking to him. The kisses did help a bit, but it was the way he was so attentive and interested in me. Dinner was just us three because my father was still at work. It was entertaining as Max talked about growing up with his big brother William.
When it was time for him to go, he gave me a few more kisses and told me he would be back by tomorrow morning and that he had a date with my father at eleven, so I would have to find something else to do with my time.
"What should I do?"
"I don't know. I am sure that by the time your dad and I are done, we'll be hungry so you could cook for us."
"Really nice try, handsome, but I am not your servant."
"Hey, baby, you asked. I am just being honest.”
It was then that we made out in front of the house for ten minutes before he left.
When I got in the house, my mother was waiting to grill me.
"So you and the hot shot. He is really nice looking, smart, funny, and couldn't keep his eyes off of you, but I want you to be careful."
"I will, Mom. He has been something else. We didn't get to talk about Dallas, but he wants me to go back. He is claiming that he wants to marry me."
"Does he, now? Wow, that would be good if this act he has is real. Your father will find out tomorrow. When I talked to him earlier, he told me all about Max beating Trevor’s ass. Try and get some rest because I don't think that guy is going to give up, and he probably has a timetable to convince you to come down to Dallas with him."
"I have been thinking about it. I could still keep my old job, according to Dr. Phelps. I won't have a place to stay, though. I have to see if my place is still available. Max says his cousin is staying at his place right now. She had a really bad break up too and is staying at Max’s trying to get over it. Apparently she and the guy lived together, and he cheated on her."
"Well, that is nice of Max."
"Yeah, well, he says she is really nice and that I would like her.” I was so anxious to see him that I wanted to go to bed. “Well I’m going to bed. I am sleepy."
"Okay, I love you, Alexandria." I gave my mom a hug and went up to my old room to shower and hit the bed.
Thankfully it didn’t take me long, and I was out fast. I dreamed of him all night. It was sweet and romantic, but it turned south before I woke up. I was near tears as I shook off the sleep.
I needed some coffee. I wasn’t human without it. I was barely pouring my first cup when the doorbell rang. I walked to the door, and there he was smiling brightly at me as though he slept perfectly.
"Good morning, beautiful. I missed you like crazy last night."
"Good morning to you too. Come on in. I was just pouring some coffee. It seems you are a chipper fellow early in the morning. It's only eight thirty," I practically growled. I was not a morning person.
"Noted."
"What does that mean?" I said with a snotty attitude.
"I was just making sure to note that you are definitely not a morning person. But I do have to say you look hot when you wake up, and I am sad that I missed it. Soon, though—I don't plan on missing that ever again."
I got all giddy when he mentioned the future, but I hid that reaction from him. He did not have a track record of staying power.
"So what do you want to do today, after you make me lunch, of course?"
I nearly kicked him in his shins, but he moved to the side and laughed. "I told you your expectations are set too high."