Chapter 10
Mae
The next day at work I received the teasing of a lifetime from Max. Between the flowers and him seeing me leave with Alex, he had plenty of firepower to give me hell. I think I may have blushed continuously for the first three hours we worked together. Rosetta wasn't much better when she stopped by to pick up some orders for the diner.
"I must say Mae that you and Alex sure looked cozy yesterday. That boy is smitten. I have never seen him smile that much in such a short amount of time." She wiggles her brows at me. "I hope you know that I want details since I was told to give you two your space."
Max starts laughing as soon as he looks at my face. I know that it sounds stupid for a thirty-eight-year-old woman to be blushing over this stuff. I can't help it. I have never and I mean never felt so much for a person in such a short amount of time. Alex has completely taken over my thoughts and I don't see it ending any time soon.
"All I'm gonna say is that he is all I think about and that I feel like this could work for us both."
As I say this both of them get a smile on their faces that is one of happiness. They were both there for me when things went south with Tanner and I can't thank them enough for the support. Max ended up getting arrested for beating the man to the point that I thought he would kill him. After Rosetta had already slapped him, Max just drove the point home that he had royally messed up.
"WE just happy for you darling," Rosetta says and they both come and hug me.
The rest of the day is a blur of quick texts to Alex and working my but off at the bakery. Max and I leave the bakery and meet up with Erica at our favorite restaurant. She smiles brightly and I feel like I am seeing the old ERrca again. The night is spent laughing and stuffing our faces with the best Mexican food in the city.
Once I reach my apartment I quickly shower and get into my jammies before I start to text Alex. Even though I just saw him last night I am already missing him.
Mae: So it is time for your scheduled text time. Are you ready for this appointment?
Alex: I have been ready since I left your apartment last night. I have outlined some discussion points that I think you will thoroughly enjoy.
Mae: Oh, do tell.
Alex: First point of order. How was your day Baby?
I feel my face pull into a megawatt smile. He called me Baby! Tanner never used put names and at times it was hard to even get him to call me Mae. Alex seemed comfortable enough with me to fall right into a pet name. That makes my heart beat even faster than before.
Mae: It was fantastic other than missing this really cute guy who I can't seem to get out of my mind.
Alex: You think I'm cute? Lol
Mae: No, I was talking about Edwardo from across the hall. That man has it going on!
Alex: You think you can get me his number? I mean I can share him if you want.
I burst out laughing to the point that I have tears in my eyes. I love how he just goes right along with my stupid behavior like it is normal. No guy I have dated has ever gotten my weird sense of humor before. Alex just keeps racking up the points on the boyfriend scale.
Mae: Only if we keep us on the down-low. He doesn't know yet and he can get cranky about sharing.
Alex: My lips are sealed. Point of order number two. I miss you way more than I thought possible.
Mae: Damn are you trying to give me a heart attack. You keep making my heart beat so fast. I feel like a teenager with her first crush.
Alex: Is that so. Well, I can honestly tell you that I have never felt like this before. You are making me fall hard and that may be too soon to say but I don't care.
Mae: You're gonna make me tell you the truth if you keep talking like that.
Alex: And what is the truth?
Mae: I think I already fell.
Sending that was one of the hardest things to do. I know that we have only just started dating and that for most, it is way too soon to even be thinking about this. I can't lie to him or myself. I am head over heels for the guy.
I sit and wait for his reply, and it never comes. Ten minutes later, I look down at my phone again, and it still has no messages. Damn, did I scare him away? I didn't say the three words exactly but I did allude to the fact that I am in love with him. I am just about to burst into tears when my doorbell rings.
I walk over and answer, only to get pushed into the room as the door slams. There stands a panting Alex in a t-shirt and his sleep pants. He quickly grabs my face and plants his lips on mine. His kiss is frantic and passionate.
I can feel his need for me in this kiss. I feel him pulling me even closer, and I feel our bodies pressed so close together that there isn't even an inch of space between us. This goes on until we can no longer stand it, and we have to breathe.
"I love you." His words catch me off guard, and my eyes widen. Here I was thinking that I scared him off, and he was on his way to me.
"Really?" I ask, and I feel my eyes tearing up.
"Yes, really." He smiles and pulls me into a hug.
"I love you too. I thought I scared you away when you didn't answer." I wipe my eyes, trying to not cry.
"No, I was running overhear to tell you that. I know it's fast, but I love you, Mae." He pulls me close again. "I have been dying to tell you since last night. You had me going crazy on that first date and last night just sealed the deal."
"People are going to think we are crazy. We haven't even known each other a week, and we are already in love." I feel myself giggling a little. "I don't care what others think, I just don't want you to change your mind once you get to know me more."
"What makes you think that? Mae, you are a catch! You're smart, kind and beautiful!" He has a serious look in his eye like he has to make me believe him.
"No one has called me beautiful before. My ex never told me those things. And I guess that throughout school everyone's eyes were always on my best friends. I was just that weird girl that Max and Erica hung out with."
"I haven't meet them so I have no clue. All I know is that you light up a room and I can't get my mind or eyes off of you." He leans down and kisses me again.
This kiss is full of love and comfort. It feels like one of those rainy days where I would wrap up in a warm blanket and sit on the sofa and read. I would be lost in my own world, but safe and happy. Alex is turning into that for me, safety and comfort. I pull back and look up into his sparkling eyes and smile.
"Stay the night?" I am nervous since I haven't done this sort of thing in years.
"Are you sure? I don't want you..." I put my finger of his mouth and shush him.
"Alex, when a woman asks you to stay over that means that she wants ride the balony pony."
Alex's eyes widen and I have to fight to not laugh. I love throwing him off his game like this. I release myself from him and walk over to the door and lock it. I take his hand and lead him to my bedroom. The poor man has yet to say anything but continues to look like a fish gulping for air.
I see that my plan has worked and he is no longer asking stupid questions. I push him back on the bed, all the while with a face as red as a fire truck. I push the door closed with my foot and let the games begin.