Page 10 of The Reverse Cinderella

“That his last name is only R? You’ll be Mrs. R if you marry the guy. Or maybe it’s unpronounceable. Like Rztsbleikv or something.”

Piaget laughed. “I’m sure it’s something normal.”

“Don’t forget to ask. I need to know. I won’t sleep until I find out.”

“Then I’d better call and find out. I’d hate to see you as an insomniac,” Piaget took out her cellphone and dialed Max’s number.

She waited as the call connected, ringing in her ear. Looking at the business card, all of her carefully rehearsed opening lines left her head when a voice said, “This is Max.”

“Why isn’t your last name on your card?” She blurted out. Dix burst out laughing before going to help a customer.

There was a moment of silence then Max asked, “Piaget?”

“Hi,” Piaget felt a little embarrassed now. “Sorry, I was just looking at the card you gave me.”

He laughed. “I guess it’s not on there. I left it off. People remember it which makes it kind of a self-advertising move. Also, as much as I love my family, I’d rather not get judged by their reputation.”

“I guess that makes sense,” as much as Piaget loved her own family, she appreciated being judged for herself and not their social standing. Maybe Max’s family wasn’t quite a reputable bunch.

“Does this mean I get a chance to take you out on a date?” He sounded very pleased by the prospect.

“Well, you did say something about showing me the stars,” she reminded him, smiling.

“Then I better not disappoint.”

Dix leaned over and stage whispered loudly. “He sounds sexy. Tell him you’re closing tonight and he can walk you home. Then I get to see what the hunky voice looks like.”

“Dix!” Piaget hissed.

Max chuckled. “What time do you close?”

“Eleven thirty. We’ll be done our clean up at midnight,” Dix practically sang toward the phone.

“You don’t have to come. It’s okay.” Piaget rolled her eyes and gave Dix a little push away. The young woman laughed and just came back.

“I’ll be there. Like I said the other night, I’d rather walk you home and make sure you get there safe.”

‘He’s sweet,’ Dix mouthed to Piaget.

“Thank you,” Piaget replied to Max, turning her back on Dix. She gave him the address of the café.

“You still didn’t find out what his last name was,” Dix said after she ended the call. “Now we’ll never know.”

“It’s probably something normal like Richards or Riker.”

Dix laughed. “Or he could be Mr. Right. Wouldn’t that be funny?”

Max as Mr. Right? He certainly had a good start. “It would be.”

Piaget and Dix completed the closing routine and Max arrived. Piaget introduced him to Dix and he shook her hand.

Dix smiled. “He matches his voice.”

“Excuse me?” Max asked.

“Sexy. Would you date me?” She dimpled prettily.

“Dix!” Piaget stared at her friend in shock. She couldn’t believe what she’d just asked.