Page 46 of The Reverse Cinderella

Piaget wondered how was she supposed to answer a question like that? Especially when her brain hadn’t been functioning when her mouth offered? “I suppose, I mean it would help you out and you wouldn’t be on the streets anymore. Plus, I like you as a person and I trust you in my home, and it would be a really good chance for you to turn your life around.”

“Is there something wrong with my life?” he questioned.

“No,” Piaget protested. “I didn’t say that. I just mean that having an address could open up a lot of opportunities for you. You said it yourself, if you don’t have an address, you can’t apply for this or other programs and stuff.”

“Am I just a project of yours? Get a homeless guy off the street?” His voice had a bit of an edge to it.

“Definitely not!” Piaget said defensively. “I wouldn’t offer just anyone access to my home. I just believe in you and this would solve the address problem.”

“You think I couldn’t get an address of my own?” Max pulled his arm back and suddenly she felt bereft, like he had lost something and was on the precipice of losing even more.

“What? When did I say that?” Piaget asked in confusion. She couldn’t believe he was getting mad about this. It was just common sense. It wasn’t like anyone could put ‘no address’ on a resume or other important documents.

“I could do it, you know. Get a higher paying job and join the rat race again. Be the man. I’ve done it before.” Max stood up. “I used to own a home, have an exorbitant income, have a fast car and a fast life. I wasn’t born homeless.”

“No one said you were,” Piaget stood up as well, muddled about how things had suddenly turned around. “Max, why are you mad?”

“I’m not mad!” Max practically shouted, backing away from her.

“Then why are you yelling!” She shouted back, following him but she knocked into the coffee table, jostling the papers and what was left of the pizza onto the floor, in a last-ditch effort Piaget tried to avoid stepping on the pizza but slipped on the papers, her arms windmilled as her foot flew forward and gravity pulled her backward. With an ‘oomph’ she landed on the couch.

There was silence for a moment, but Max’s shaking shoulders gave him away.

“Don’t you dare!” Piaget pointed a finger at him accusingly before he burst into laughter.

“You should have seen yourself,” he could barely get the words out as he held onto his side and wiped his eyes with his other hand. With a sigh he looked down at her as Piaget stared crossly up at him. He held out a hand and grudgingly, Piaget let him pull her to her feet. He then coaxed her into a hug.

“Why were we yelling?” Piaget asked.

At the same time Piaget spoke so did Max, saying, “this is why I love you.”

Piaget froze. Say what? Max’s heart beat was steady in her ear. Slowly, she pulled back to look up at him. Her mouth went to speak but Max firmly put a finger against her lips which was probably a good thing because her brain was not functioning after such a loaded statement.

“Before you ruin it,” Max said softly.

Piaget’s eyes narrowed.Before she ruined it?What sort of a thing was that to say? She opened her mouth, but this time Max replaced his finger with his lips and Piaget forgot all about what she was going to say. It had been awhile since she had been kissed like this, with desire, and Gary was no comparison. This was a toe curling, belly clenching, lightning filled set of kisses. Have mercy!

Max slowly lifted his head with a self-satisfied smile. Piaget tried to find her dignity back and untangle herself from him. He was far too sure of himself. Piaget opened her mouth to say so but once again a finger found its way to guard her mouth.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Move the finger or I bite it,” Piaget waited for him to comply. “Tomorrow?”

“Tricia’s wedding?” Max lifted an eyebrow and it was obvious that he thought he was such a good kisser the he had erased the event from her mind. Ego.

Piaget closed her eyes. “That.”

She was dreading returning, poor and pitied by family, former friends, and country club associates. Everyone would be sugary sweet while gossiping the moment her back was turned. Piaget also had that dress in her closet which was the worst idea she had in a long time but what could she do? It was name brand or not bother going. The event itself was going to cost well over a hundred grand and one did not show up at a niece’s wedding wearing Salvation Army, even if it was what she needed to wear the rest of the year, maybe even her life. Bad enough she was renting jewelry.

“Hey, if you don’t want me to go…” Max trailed of uncertainly, probably thinking Piaget was regretting inviting him, homeless guy, Piaget thought. What was she doing bringing a homeless guy? What was he going to wear? Could her credit cards stretch that far?

“Don’t you dare bail on me!” Piaget pointed a finger at him, much like her mother did at her father when she wasn’t getting what she wanted. “I need moral support.”

“Then you’ve got it in spades,” Max’s smile was back in full force. “Pick you up at four?”

“Three. You need to be here at three. The family dinner is at five followed by torture with cocktails at eight for friends,” she said. Piaget grabbed his sleeve, suddenly conscious that she was likely going to have to rent a suit for him. They would need time to do that. “Maybe two would be better.”

Max kissed her on the forehead. “Three will be fine. It’s going to be great. You’ll see.”