Grace lifted her hand. “Lead the way.”
Max did as she asked, steering her through more underbrush before, with a push of branches, they emerged into a clearing punctuated by tall trees and blanketed with small yellow flowers, which bobbed in the breeze. The stream ran almost straight through the far end, filling the area with the sounds of splashes, and gurgling, as it dropped down the hill they’d climbed.
Grace gasped at his side. “What is this place?” Her gaze fixed on what remained of a one-room stone cottage, its windows, door, and roof eaten by the elements and looking like something out of a Disney fairy tale.
“Isn’t it great?” Max asked. “I found it when I was here on vacation with my dad. I think everyone forgot about it along with your place.” He pointed into the distance. “Which is only ten minutes that way.”
Her eyes widened, the familiar sparkle returning. “You’re kidding?”
Max chuckled. “I thought you’d like it, you know; take some cool pictures or whatever.” He rubbed the back of his neck, the realization of doing something nice for another person prickling his skin with unfamiliarity.
Her hand brushed his forearm. “It’s incredible.”
Grace wandered through the flowers and trees, touching them, exploring the ruins, and dipping her feet into the stream. Max sat on an overturned log, drinking his water, watching her and smiling as her contagious delight crept back. He grinned when she made a song and dance about pulling her cell phone from her bra, and took photo after photo, promising herself she’d return with her Nikon. He leaned back on the heels of his hands, lifting his face to the warm May sunshine and allowed the calm and quiet to soak into his bones.
“Do you find me attractive?”
Max frowned before he opened one eye. “I’m sorry, what?”
Grace stood by the stream, arms loose at her sides, looking more than a little uncomfortable. “Do you find me attractive, yes or no?”
Opening both eyes, Max cleared his throat. “Is this a trick?”
“Not a trick.”
Max didn’t feel all that assured. “It sounds like a trick.”
“We’re friends, right?”
He sat forward, resting his elbows on his bare knees. “Um, I guess.”
“Okay, good. I’d like you to be honest with me.”
Max exhaled with a disbelieving chuckle. “I’m not sure I can answer your question without saying something wrong.”
He knew how women worked. She’d find at least one thing in his answer she didn’t like the sound of. Plus, he didn’t want to come across as a sexist pig, which he was bound to do, looking at her in her running gear, all innocent face and beautiful glistening skin.
Grace approached him. “Okay. Let me ask you another way. Would you have sex with me?”
Now that question Max’s body undoubtedly paid attention to. He was suddenly glad his shorts were loose. Shit. He shifted where he sat. “What? Are you— Why are you asking me this?”
She shrugged. “Just curious.” She crossed her arms. “It’s okay if you don’t. I get it.”
Max barked out a laugh. “My God. Women! I didn’t even answer and you’ve already assumed the worst.”
“Well, I’m not like Fay from the bar,” she argued. “So I can see why you wouldn’t want me that way; the way you wanted her.”
Her words weren’t petulant or bitter, there was no hint of jealousy. She was resigned, accepting of what she thought was true, and it stopped Max short. How could she believe the shit she was spouting?
He stood and took two steps toward her. “No,” he agreed. “You’re nothing like Fay. And thank God for that.” Surprise lightened her eyes. “And just so we’re clear,” he added. “I didn’t want her and I didn’t have sex with her.”
Grace blinked. “You didn’t?”
Max shook his head. “I wouldn’t believe everything you hear.”
“But she’s so sexual,” Grace uttered. “And her boobs are amazing.” She looked genuinely puzzled.
Max snorted. “That she is, but, firstly, I was far too fuckin’ drunk. And, secondly, for a guy, all boobs are amazing, especially when they have Apple logos creased on ’em.”
He knew how flirtatious his comment was, but the laugh that exploded out of Grace made his unease worth it.
“Where is this comin’ from?” he asked with a lift of his shoulders. “I thought we were cool just like this.” Max knew that if she wanted more from him, he needed to put the brakes on whatever they were doing, pronto.
“We are,” Grace insisted. “Oh, God, this is great.” She waved her hand between them and then to their surroundings. “I love running with you, and hanging out, it’s just . . .”
Max waited, seeing the indecision skirt across her mouth.
She had a great mouth.
He fidgeted.