Chagrined, he conceded defeat. “Okay. You have a point. What do you suggest?”
Slender fingers drummed on the table. “Do you have a roasting pan, pots, dishes?”
“To be honest, I don’t know.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “You don’t know if you have dishes?”
“I have stuff. My shr—uh, a friend of mine stocked the place before I moved in. About the only thing I’ve ever cooked though is coffee and bacon and eggs. Yours are better.”
Eyes brimming with excitement met his. “Okay. If you don’t have what I need, we can use mine. No point in buying something you may never use again.” The tap, tap, tap of her fingers on the tabletop sped up as her face scrunched in thought. “The list will be pretty long.”
“I’m okay with that. Whatever you need to make it special. I mean, like you want it.”
She spun her cup on the table and lifted it to her mouth. “To buy everything I’d need for a…a traditional meal will be expensive.”
“More than a thousand dollars?”
She coughed and sputtered. “Heavens, no!”
“Then we are good to go.”
Uncertainty mixed with a quickly suppressed spark of excitement flashed in her eyes.
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” He forced his hand to remain steady as he drained his cup. “Just tell me what you think you’ll need…or however you want to handle it.”
She pushed an errant curl behind her left ear. “Maybe I need to see what you have on hand first, so we don’t end up with extra stuff.”
He snorted. “I have salt and pepper. And some pots and pans. I have no idea what a roasting pan is and seriously doubt I have one.”
“Okay. We start at square one.” Brows creased, she nibbled her bottom lip. “What if…maybe we could go together. That way, you’ll know exactly how much everything costs and can stop me if I suggest something you don’t like.”
He ignored the sudden jump in his heart rate. It’s not a date or anything. We’re going to the grocery store. No big deal. “When do you want to go?”
She hesitated, then met his steady gaze. “Tomorrow afternoon maybe? I’ll be working Monday and Tuesday of next week, and I’m off Wednesday and Thursday. But I’d rather not wait till the last minute to shop.”
The restrained excitement in her voice made his heart stammer. “I get off at three. How about I pick you up a little after?”
“Okay.” She blew out a long breath. “I’m taking advantage of your kindness again, aren’t I?”
“No, you’re not.” He stood and placed his cup in the sink, then picked up the tool box. “I buy. You cook. I clean. We’re even.”
She stopped near the back door, arms folded across her middle. “Thank you, Max. For everything.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He needed to leave before he could act on the raging impulse to crush her to him. An impulse that skyrocketed when her gaze locked on his mouth, and she lightly licked her lips.
“Tomorrow.”
How could one whispered word hold so much promise?
“When’s Max gonna get here?” Maddie’s anxious question was followed by yet another trip to the kitchen window. “It’s already after three.”
“Any minute now.” Sky sat at the kitchen table reviewing her extensive shopping list. Even with just the basics, it would cost a small fortune to outfit his kitchen. For one meal. Okay, so there would be leftovers, and some ingredients he could use later, but essentially, one meal. She couldn’t remember the last time she was able to cook anything she liked without worrying about where the money would come from. They weren’t destitute, of course, but things were tight, making it necessary to watch every penny.
Just the thought of being able to shop unimpeded made her smile. Even Cade’s appearance right before she got off work didn’t quash her good mood.
He said he had good news for her, but she was busy and didn’t have time to chat. When the doors were locked a little later, he’d already gone. She had no idea what his good news was and, frankly, didn’t care. He was so not her type. Max, on the other hand, appealed to her on many different levels. True, they were essentially strangers, but at the same time, she sensed a connection with him from the beginning. An innate goodness that shone through his sometimes-gruff demeanor stood out, along with the patience and kindness he exhibited with Maddie. As did his masculinity. And sex appeal.
“Finally,” said Maddie as she hurried outside.
Sky rose and made it to the door in time to see Maddie tug him back toward the house. “Come on. Mama’s got her list all ready. I helped.”
She closed the door behind them and suddenly found herself nervous and unsure. Should she go through with this, trust her intuition? What if she was wrong? What if, what if, what if?
Maddie, on the other hand, was happy as a clam. “Mama’s a really good cook, Max. You’ll be happy you’re her male companion.”
Sky’s heart lurched. “Maddie!”
“Ma’am?”
She couldn’t look at Max. “Don’t say…male companion.”
“Why not?”
“Because not everyone is as smart as you,” offered Max, “and some people might not understand what it means.”
