Page 35 of Written with Love

Chapter Eleven

There were only a few times in Juliette’s life when she could honestly say she’d lost control of herself. One time was in grade school, when she’d pitched a perfect softball game and had jumped and celebrated like a mad woman.

Or the time her grandfather had died and she’d cried herself to sleep for weeks.

The moment Max had claimed her had now been added to that short list. It was as if the man knew exactly what her body wanted. The way he’d touched her, kissed her, did things that no other man had done to her—her mind went over it on repeat and dreamed of when he’d do it to her again.

She didn’t want her time with him to end. Even after they’d eaten the delivered sandwiches from the Golden Oar on the sofa they had just gotten naked on, she still wanted him.

Once their food was gone and they had returned to the table and finished editing and uploading the videos from the day, she made some lame excuse and packed up and headed home. Max probably thought that she didn’t want to rough it out on his sofa for the night, but in truth, she needed some time to think things through. To test the waters and make sure she wasn’t just overreacting about her feelings when she was around him.

Her dreams that night assured her that what she was feeling was true. By the time she walked into his place the next morning, she was determined to tell him how she felt.

Only, she came up short when she saw Max with his arms wrapped around a petite woman with sandy blonde hair.

Without thinking, she turned around and headed towards the front door, only to stop when Max grabbed her hand. “Easy tiger. It’s Faye,” he whispered and wrapped his arms around her. “Come meet my sister and my mother.”

She relaxed. Of course it was his sister. What in the hell had she been thinking? Her face heated as embarrassment overtook common sense. Why had she jumped like that? She’d never been the jealous type.

Then she remembered what she’d been so eager to tell him, how she felt for him, and realized why. She was in love. Plain and simple.

The moment they stepped back into the kitchen, she saw what she’d missed the first time. There was an older woman sitting at the table watching her, and Faye stood in the middle of the room with hair and eyes that looked so much like Max’s that it was obvious who she was. If she had looked for more than a second, she would have realized it herself.

“Mom, Faye, this is Juliette,” Max said, signing along for Faye.

“Hi,” she said and signed as well. “This is a surprise visit,” she added after they both greeted her.

“We decided on a day trip to get out of the city and enjoy some beach time, and of course to see how Max’s construction project is going firsthand,” his mother answered.

“I’ve been glued to all the videos the two of you are posting,” Faye said as she motioned to the kitchen. “It’s so much better already.”

She glanced around and noticed that Max had already installed the microwave and refrigerator. He must have gotten up early and moved them himself.

Even though there still weren’t countertops, a sink, or a stove, things were coming together. In the morning light, she could just imagine how things would look once it was finished.

“Yeah, it’s coming together nicely,” she agreed.

“Soon we’ll be able to eat here,” he joked. “I’m having half of the team start in my bedroom today.” He motioned towards the staircase. “I plan on sleeping in a bed, a real bed, by this weekend.” He chuckled. “I’ve given them a quick tour of the changes,” he told her.

“Everything looks a lot cleaner, at least,” Faye said. “The last time we were here, the place was packed with old things. Now I think I can finally see the potential.”

“You came down for the day from Portland?” Juliette asked.

“Yes,” his mother answered. “Just for a little while before we head to…”

“My doctor’s appointment. There’s a specialist I’m seeing after lunch.” Faye tapped the side of her head.

“I hope it all works out. Your brother has told me a little about what you’re going through. Did you know that one of Pride’s famous residents, Iian Jordan, lost his hearing at eighteen?”

Faye looked surprised. “Iian Jordan lives in Pride?” She glanced at Max. “I’ve seen him on that episode of Kitchen and Cocktails.”

Juliette chuckled. “He only did that episode because we all begged him to. I used to work at his restaurant, the Golden Oar. You should take them there while they’re here,” she said to Max.

“I’d love that.” Faye sounded excited.

Just then they heard some of the workers knock and call out and then come in the front door.

“We can get out of your way,” his mother said standing up.