“Marshmallows can’t talk, you know.”
She jerked, cocoa spilling onto her hand. Of course Max knew she’d been there, since he’d gotten the files for her earlier that evening. But she hadn’t expected him to come hang out—especially not after their exchange that afternoon in the dorm.
He grabbed a dishrag that was folded by the sink and tossed it to her, his lips turned up in amusement. “Sorry. You were just staring into your cup so hard I figured you were expecting an answer.”
If only it were that simple. “It’s okay. Just daydreaming.” At night. About him.
And his son.
She dabbed her hand dry and tossed the towel at the far end of the table. Too bad she couldn’t throw away her worries as easily.
He pulled up the chair beside her, turning it backward before straddling it. Clad in faded jeans and a college sweatshirt, sans hat, he looked way too much like the Max from the old days. The one who could charm his way into her heart with a single look. The one who’d stolen a lot more than he’d ever given back.
The one who once had convinced her he wanted a life with her.
“Find any hidden treasures in there?” He pointed to Tonya’s file, and she closed it before passing it over.
“If you mean explanations, no.” She brushed her hair out of her eyes and shifted to face him, suddenly regretting the decision to wear yoga pants. “We’ll have to play it out.”
“I figured. I’ve read all the campers’ files several times, and I just don’t know. At least we’re watching closely now.”
“Better late than never, huh?” She offered a half smile, but he returned it with that serious gaze that still seemed so foreign to her—and still sent shivers over her skin.
“I agree.” His heavy-lidded eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he studied her, and an impish grin quirked the side of his mouth.
Her stomach clenched, and she slowly slid her mug away. “We’re not talking about Tonya anymore, are we?”
Chapter Eleven
“I need you.”
She stared at Max as if sitting motionless could somehow make his words visible. Surely she didn’t hear him correctly. “What did you say?”
He didn’t blink, just held her gaze with those steady eyes. Those eyes that always reminded her of hot chocolate with a little too much milk. “I need you.”
Oh, wait, they’d done this before. She relaxed slightly in her chair, futilely attempting to calm her erratic heartbeat. “Right. You mean, here. At the camp.” She let out a breath. “I know. Trust me, I wouldn’t be here if you didn’t.” Hadn’t they said that already? Why did he have to keep bringing it up? He probably thought she needed more affirmation after today’s episode with Tonya, but he was taking it a little too far.
“No.” He reached for her hand resting on the table and threaded his fingers through hers. An immediate shock wave radiated up her arm, and she tensed but didn’t pull away. “I mean, I need you. I need to be around you. I need...” His voice trailed off and he glanced down at their joined hands. “This.”