Page 57 of Can We Skip to the Good Part?

TWENTY-EIGHT

Books, Blushes, and Whooshes

E lla marveled at the newly installed shelving, slightly less haphazard than the last arrangement, but every bit as packed in as the old store had been.

Doug’s Books had come a long way in a short time.

The progress was a true testament to the power of the community.

It turned out that when people care enough, they can move mountains.

Doug beamed, clearly proud of his new space. “What do you think?”

“You are looking so good, my friend.” She turned in a circle, absorbing the beautiful new touches like the small clock on the wall with numbers made to look like typewriter keys. Due to her unfortunate couch time and self-imposed isolation, she hadn’t been in the store in nearly a week.

“That woman you like is here.”

Ella quirked her head. “The woman I like?”

“With the hair,” he said, swishing his imaginary locks in a sincere method of communication.

“She came in a few times to see if you were working on your book covers behind the tablet thingy. You haven’t been here, so she’d buy a book and leave.

Sold three so far. Maybe you should stay away.

” He offered a wink and hefted a box from the floor onto a stepladder.

More inventory was beginning to arrive from the distributors, which is one of the reasons she’d forced herself to come in.

She’d apparently hired herself as his unpaid employee.

“Max,” she said, peering around a shelf she wasn’t quite familiar with yet.

Max knew Ella often opted to work at Doug’s a couple of days a week around this time.

Though Ella had no idea she’d been stopping by to see her.

A familiar whoosh of excitement hit because she missed Max with every fiber of her being.

A second whoosh of nervous energy was right behind it because she didn’t know how to be herself anymore, given her new understanding of how things worked.

“That’s the one. She’s over there next to my new hot titles shelf. I think I’m gonna put a wall of flames around that section, as if the whole thing just ignited from pure heat.”

“I like the plan,” Ella said, following Doug’s general gesturing toward the far wall of the store. “I’m gonna go talk to Max and then I’ll be back over to help with the blaze of books.”

“They’re so hot you can’t handle it,” he called after her.

“I believe it.”

He was in much better spirits today, which was heartening to see. Even his humor was back in full force. She followed the curve of the new shelving until she came to an opening where two beautiful new tables sat alongside each other like old friends. Max approached, carrying a cup of coffee.

“I took the liberty when I heard your voice,” she said. Her smile was guarded but laced with hope.

“Thank you,” Ella said as she accepted the coffee swirled with just the right amount of cream. Max knew her ratio: not too dark, not too light. It wasn’t just the coffee, either. It was Max remembering the details, always. That had to count for something.

Max exhaled. “So, I’m here.” She was dressed for work in a slim-fit maroon blazer and black pants, which meant the stop at Doug’s was a late morning detour in her day. She’d made the time.

“You are.”

“I was afraid if I texted again, you’d be polite, but distant.”

“I would have been,” Ella said. She let her bag slide off her shoulder. “Doesn’t mean I don’t still like you.” Love . She knew the word was love, but this wasn’t the time or place to go there. That information would stay tucked safely behind her heart.

Max seemed relieved. Her features relaxed.

“That’s a start.” They shared a tentative smile.

The ground felt shaky, and the future seemed dubious.

But they were still them . She felt it all over just being in Max’s presence.

How could both dynamics exist? “I like you, too. And I want us to figure this out.”

Ella shrugged. “And how do we do that, Max? I can’t go down a path I’ve already explored. I know how the story ends. If there’s another way, I’m all ears.” She tried not to hold her breath, but this felt like a crucial moment.

Max took a seat and gestured for Ella to do the same. She slid into the chair across from Max and, unsure what to do with her hands, folded them like a student waiting for class to begin.

Max took the cue. “I think about what happened at Christmas a lot. I know I was in the wrong, but acknowledging my mistake and moving forward wouldn’t get to the crux of the actual problem.”

“I think you’re right.” The words were helpful and promising, but she couldn’t quite let herself get her hopes up when she was still very hurt.

“I think you deserve more than an apology. So, I’m going to say this and then I’m going to get out of your hair and let you work.”

“Okay.”

“My mission to keep my family happy has become an invisible habit, so second nature to me that I didn’t register its effect.

I crashed and burned because life isn’t about doing what appeases others.

My mother has always been a prominent figure in my life, and my need for approval would become a never-ending quest if I let it. ”

Ella nodded, remembering their very candid conversation at the night market.

“I’m not going to. I’ve had those conversations, and if you allow me to show you, you will never find yourself without light on your face again.

You’d be my priority because I love you, Ella.

” She held up a finger. “You don’t have to say anything.

Just think about these words, and we can talk more later.

Because I’m committed to keep showing up and letting you know how important you are.

” She touched the table. “Have a good workday, okay?”

Ella nodded again, struck. “I will. You, too.” She stared in surprise as Max stood and left the shop.

When the bell above the door dinged, she turned to the empty chair next to her and back again.

Had Max just told Ella that she loved her and was planning to make changes in herself so they could have a future?

It was a lot to digest. Her emotions warred and circled to the point that she didn’t hear Doug approach, but all of a sudden, there he was.

“It’s like one of those books you folks are always reading—right at the part where the heroine has to decide if she’s brave enough to want something big.

” He gestured toward the door Max had just pushed through.

“Here you sit, on the precipice.” He held his hands up.

“Do you take the big leap, shove all your chips to the center of the table, or run away forever?”

She snapped her focus from the door to Doug. “I don’t know that I’d classify it as running away.”

“No? Just me then? Hmm.” He puttered away, mumbling something about too many boxes.

Was he right? Was she running from her fears before they had a chance to manifest fully? She’d been all about her and Max when it had been low-risk, but the stakes were higher the more she felt for this woman, who was as maddening as she was gorgeous.

“Let’s find you some flames, D-Man.”

Tuesday evening approached, and Max stood in front of the mirror for the third time, trying to decide whether confidence looked better with her hair down or pulled back.

Her mother hovered nearby, equal parts nervous energy and fierce support, fussing with Max’s collar like they were preparing for a wedding instead of a book club.

But maybe it was both, in a someday kind of way.

Max had never worn nerves like this before—this wasn’t court, and it wasn’t work.

This was personal. Deeply personal. And it mattered.

“Do you want to rehearse what you’re going to say?” her mother asked, smoothing down Max’s hair, after she’d decided to keep it down and free. “You look fantastic. Any woman can see that.”

“Thank you, Mom. No, I think I’m just gonna improvise.”

“I didn’t know attorneys did that. Don’t you all meticulously prepare for court engagements?”

“It’s not exactly an engagement,” Max said with a wink. “Not that I wouldn’t marry her. I would. Just so you know.”

“These jeans are very sexy.”

Max smiled and placed a hand on her mother’s shoulder. “You’re trying so very hard, but you don’t have to call me sexy. I relieve you of any obligation.”

“Oh, good,” she said, relaxing. “I’m learning still. I rented The L Word DVD from the library.”

“People still have DVDs? The library has The L Word ?”

“We do,” her mother said. “And they do. Your father’s favorite is Alice.”

Max winced, imagining them watching some of those spicier scenes, now wondering if it was better when they pretended she was straight. Nope. Wasn’t. She tried to lean in. “Alice does have a lot of great lines.”

Her mother patted her arm. “You’re more of a Bette.”

“Is this happening right now?” Max asked, tilting her head and slamming her eyes closed.

“Yes.” Her mother grabbed her purse and stalked out of the house to the Range Rover.

“And I’m the wingwoman. Dr. Wingwoman.” She paused on the sidewalk.

“Did I tell you I’m seeing patients again next week?

Dr. Rivera cleared me to return to work, provided I monitor my energy levels. I’m going to begin with half days.”

“That’s fantastic,” Max said, trailing her mom to the car. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”

“I’m more than ready. I’m at my best when I’m with patients who need me. I can’t think of a faster way to heal.”

Max paused. It was the first time since her initial diagnosis that her mother had alluded to getting better.

It was more than wonderful to hear that she was on board and ready to tackle this illness fully, punch it in the face, and get back to life as originally scheduled.

“Now that’s more like it. I like the fire in your eyes. Let’s keep it.”

“I’m using it for you today. Let’s go see a book club about a girl. You drive.”

“You sure you want to do this?”

“Does Bette Porter look good in a business suit?” She offered a playful wink and looked straight ahead, waiting for the car to whisk them away.

Max blinked, harnessing her newfound respect for her mom, who was trying hard to make up for lost time. “I could get used to this version of you.”

“I know. Maybe I’ll lead a group.”

“I recognize project mode when I see it.”

“But less about me, more about our mission.” She rubbed her hands together. “I’m ready.”

Max put the car in reverse and took a deep breath. “Then let’s do this.”