Page 77 of Can We Skip to the Good Part?

“Where did your mind just go?”

“You’re out of my league.”

“The most ridiculous sentence you’ve ever uttered.”

“People don’t wink at me in martini bars. They forget to fire me.”

“I have a feeling they do wink at you. Maybe you just miss it.”

“Aww. Really nice save, but it’s not true.” Ella squeezed her hand. “I’ll take comfort in the fact that perhaps someone will someday.”

Max winked right on cue, and Ella laughed.

“Nailed it.”

“You’re totally in the club now.”

They waited for Ella’s car in front of the bar, hiding out beneath the awning when it started to pour. “Well, at least we have a memorable ending to our night,” Max said, holding her hand out to feel the rain. A clap of thunder shook the sidewalk, and, instinctively, Max pulled Ella close as the two of them laughed. That is, until they realized they were now pressed up against each other.

“I’m not sure I mind at all,” Ella said, voice low.

Her car pulled up, headlights cutting through the rain. It was time to say goodbye.

“Let me know you’re home safe,” Max said, reluctant to let go.

“You do the same,” Ella replied, eyes lifting to meet hers. Then she rose onto her toes and tugged Max down by the collar of her coat, their mouths meeting in a kiss that tasted like passion fruit and possibility.

The rain continued to fall, but Max barely noticed. Ella’s lips lingered just a beat longer, like she wasn’t quite ready to let go either.

“Goodnight, Max,” she whispered. “Tonight was good. Really good.” Ella’s eyes sparkled.

“I find that it just keeps getting better.” They went in for one more searing kiss before Ella broke away and made a mad dash for the car, screaming the whole way in the rain as Max laughed.

Ella raised a hand to her through the window as the car pulled away, taking with it the woman who occupied most of her thoughts these days—smart, beautiful, and kind.

Max stood there under the awning long after the taillights disappeared. The night had taken a U-turn she hadn’t at all expected, but, honestly, it felt like things were supposed to have happened this way. Her heart thudded like it had just agreed to something it didn’t fully expect, but wanted so badly anyway.

She stood against the wall beneath that awning, waiting for the rain to subside while grinning like a fool in love. Wait. No. Scratch that. She wasn’t in love. Not exactly. The rain had slowed to a sprinkle, and Max decided to brave the elements and head back to the museum.

Still, as she stepped into the soft drizzle, she couldn’t deny one thing: she was definitely falling.

“You’re dressed nice again,”Ella said, taking in Rachel’s maroon blouse with the tie around her neck.

“What do you think of this look? I’m going for ‘I dress better than all of you, but I’m still very much a team player.’”

Ella frowned. “That’s a complicated ask. I suppose I could get there.”

“Good. Leighton Morrow is in town.”

“I have no idea who that is. Should I?”

“If you ever want to work in corporate retail, it might be a good idea.”

“Thank God I don’t.” Ella gave her head a shake. “That was close. Are you going to see Leighton-with-the-last-name about a job?”

“No. But I’m going to a networking event she’s speaking at in hopes of connecting with someone who wants me as their next Someday Vice President.” She shrugged as if it was totally going to happen. “She works for Carrington’s corporate in their community relations department. A New York nepo baby, but she knows her stuff and she’s bisexual. Plus, everyone important will be there eating small sandwiches and sticks of celery and pretending we love one another.”

“That sounds awful,” Ella said, frowning.