They ushered her into the spacious foyer and then through a beautiful living room. When they reached a great room at the back of the house, she could see the party through the wall of windows that overlooked the backyard. We brought our dog, Brittany said.
We dont take him to the cabin because he throws up in the car on long trips. His name is Elwood.
Girls, take the guests to the backyard, please.
Thats your job.
Angela held her breath at the sound of his voice and when Max came around the corner from the kitchen, their eyes met. A long silence grew between them and the little girls looked back and forth, their expressions curious.
Its Angela, Beth said. Say hello to her, Uncle Max.
Right, Max said, forcing a smile. Hello. I wasnt sure youd be coming.
Duh, Brittany said, rolling her eyes. Shes your girlfriend. Why wouldnt she come?
Maybe she had a tummy ache, Bethany said. I had a tummy ache and I couldnt go to day camp yesterday.
Girls, head back to the door. Ill show Angela out to the backyard. Max shooed them off, then turned to Angela. His gaze searched her face and Angela felt a flush warm her cheeks. Im glad you came, he murmured.
I thought we needed to see each other once more, she said. Just tosettle things.
Max glanced over his shoulder at the crowd in the backyard. Then he grabbed her hand and pulled her along after him. But instead of going outside, he took her up a rear stairway that led from the kitchen to the second floor. At the end of the hall, they stepped inside a bedroom and he closed the door behind them both.
Angela looked around at the shelves of baseball trophies that lined the walls. This was his room. She walked over to the dresser and studied the items displayed on the top. This looks a lot different than your condo, she said. Angela pointed to the trophies. You should move these down there. Theyd impress the girls you bring home.
Maybe, he said. Would they have impressed you?
She turned and smiled at him. Nothing impresses me.
Thats right, he said. I forgot.
Angela sat down on the edge of the bed and looked up at him. He looked so handsome in a blue oxford shirt and khakis. Shed become so accustomed to seeing him in various states of undress that shed never appreciated how well he wore clothes. I wanted to tell you Im sorry I wasnt completely honest with you from the start. I guess I never thought wed even speak to each other, much less spend any time together. And then, things started happening so fast, there never seemed to be the right moment.
He sat down beside her. I may have overreacted, Max said. The truth is, until you came along, I didnt much think about the impression I was leaving with the women I knew. I didnt really care.
And now you do?
And now you do?
Max took her hand and wove his fingers through hers. I care about what you think, he said. I dont want you to have any regrets.
I dont, Angela said.
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her wrist, his warm mouth lingering on her skin. Angelas heart fluttered and a tiny sigh slipped from her throat. The sensation was so familiar. Her mind flashed back to a time when his lips had traveled all over her naked body.
How difficult would it be to just pull him down on the bed and kiss him? How would he react? Angela didnt have to guess. The answer was in his touch, in the gentle caress of his fingers on her wrist. He still wanted her as much as she wanted him. How is your shoulder? she asked. Better.
So, youll be going back to Florida soon?
He nodded. Actually, Im flying back tomorrow. He paused. But I dont have to. I mean, I could fly back-
Im glad, she said, pasting a bright smile on her face.
That Im leaving?
Angela shook her head. No, that your shoulder has healed.
Without warning, Max took her face in his hands and kissed her. Angela drew back, startled, staring up into his gaze without blinking. But then, he tried again and she felt her defenses crumble. Why go on fooling herself? She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to rip off all her clothes and make love to him on his baseball bedspread.
He must have had the same thought because as the kiss spun out, he gently drew her down onto the bed. It amazed her how perfectly they read each others desires. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons on his shirt and when shed managed to undo three or four, Angela smoothed her hand over his muscled chest.
Ive missed you, he murmured, furrowing his fingers through her hair and pulling her into a deeper kiss.
You better find a way to stop that, she said. He frowned, meeting her gaze. Youre going back to Florida tomorrow.
If you ask me to stay, I will. He kissed her again, his passion rising. Ask me.
It was just one word. Stay. And her entire life would change. But it wasnt that simple. He had a job in Florida, a life, and a career. And everything shed built for herself was here in Chicago. But for a chance at love-at real, forever love-wouldnt she give it all up?
I cant, she said. You have to go back.
You could come with me?
Angela shook her head. Weve known each other forwell, it hasnt been two weeks yet.
It doesnt make a difference, Max said.
Yes, it does, Angela said. Were in that stage when all our flaws are hidden and we think were perfect for each other.
You have no flaws, he said, finding a spot just below her ear to kiss.
Angela gently pushed him away. For once in her life, she wasnt going to give in to her fantasies. She was going to do the right thing, the practical thing. You need to go back, Max. And then, when the season is over, we can see how we feel.
I already know how Ill feel, Max said. I need you.
She opened her mouth, then paused before speaking. Do you need me? Or do you just need a woman? Maybe you need to find out for sure.
An astonished look crossed his face and he regarded her warily. Thats a lovely offer, but I dont think Ill be taking advantage of that. Now that Ive decided which woman I want, another one wont do. He reached out and cupped her face in his hand. Ive fallen in love with you, Angela. There wont be any other women in my life from now on.
Angela felt emotion clog her throat. How long had she waited to hear those words? Every dream shed had about him had always ended in a sweet confession of his feelings for her. But now, she couldnt quite bring herself to believe him.
Ceci was right. The Web site had changed her. She couldnt look at love without a healthy dose of cynicism. She wanted to believe it could exist, but Angela needed proof. If he went back to his life and then returned, shed know for sure. I think you should go, she said.
Well both go.
She shook her head, but Max kissed her again. I was about to leave anyway. I came to meet this girl and she didnt show up. Besides, I only have a day left in Chicago. I dont want to spend it with my parents and their friends. I want to spend it with you.
They walked to the door. I should at least go in and say hello to my parents, Angela said.
He took her hand and led her to the stairs in the front of the house. If we sneak out, no one will even know where weve gone.
Where are we going? Angela asked.
Somewhere we can be alone.
The girls were waiting at the front door. Max ruffled their hair. Go tell Grammy that I really like the girl she found for me and Im taking her home with me.
The two girls giggled and ran off as Max pulled Angela out the front door. Every shred of common sense had fled. Angela knew she shouldnt jump into bed with him, but thats all she really wanted-to feel his naked body next to hers. To lose herself in the delicious sensations of their lovemaking. Shed survived it all before. One last time couldnt hurt her.
Ill meet you at your place, she said.
MAX STARED OUT AT THE water of the Gulf, watching a trio of pelicans float lazily on the surface. He ran his hands through his hair, waiting for that sense of calm to settle in. Thats what he loved about his house in Florida. He could just open the door and listen to the waves on the shore, Everything was perfect.
But since hed returned, that calm had been disrupted by nearly constant thoughts of Angela. Theyd spent one last day and night together and then she was gone, sneaking out of his bed in the predawn hours.
In truth, Max had been glad there wouldnt be any dramatic good-byes. It would be as if shed just gone to work while he slept late. A day would pass, hed call her and theyd pretend they werent miles apart. The months would pass and the season would end and theyd be together again.
Theyd talked on the phone a few times, but once again, they never seemed to have the same connection. She sounded distant and he fumbled for things to talk about. He needed to be able to reach out and touch her, to let his hands and his lips say the things he couldnt put into words.
The team had a three-game series in Chicago next month. Even though he was still on the disabled list, the series would give him a good excuse to fly back to Chicago for the weekend and see her.
Max sighed. He shouldnt need an excuse, but there was so much unsettled between them. It was clear that Angela was not hopeful about their future. Already, shed begun preparing for the worst, assuming that everything would fall apart once they were apart. Somewhere along the line, the fantasy had disappeared and shed begun to see the reality in front of her.
Maxs doorbell buzzed and he glanced at the clock on the mantel. He walked to the front door, his footsteps silent on the cool tile. His agent, Bruce Carmichael, was standing on the other side, dressed in a ridiculous Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts. You look hot, Max said, stepping aside to let him in. And I dont mean that in a sexual way.
I love you, too, Max, but I hate where you live. You know, its exactly the same temperature here as it is in L.A. And yet this feels so much more like hell.
Its the humidity, Max said walking back into the airy living room. Sit. Do you want something to drink?
Ice water. Lots of ice, he said.
In the kitchen, Max filled a huge glass at the sink and then grabbed a beer for himself before returning to the living room. He sat down and took a long swallow of his beer.