Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
But avoiding him felt like admitting defeat. And if there was one thing five years of building a social media career had taught me, it was that sometimes you had to push through the awkward to get what you wanted.
I still wanted, needed, this project to be successful. I definitely still wanted to spend time with Maddox. And, obviously, I wanted my damned rental car back.
The bell jingled as I pushed inside. Maya appeared from behind a tower of snow shovels, took one look at my face, and winced.
“Oof. That bad, huh?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, attempting to project more confidence than I felt. “I just need my car keys.”
Maya studied me with the kind of knowing look that was unsettling on someone who wasn’t even eighteen. “He left two hours ago. But he took his own truck. He left your keys here and your car out back.”
I leaned against the counter, suddenly exhausted. “He owes me a date.”
Her face lit up. “Hell yeah. Finally!”
“Not like that. I made a bet with him about…” I suddenly realized it might be inappropriate to discuss thirsty comments with a minor. “Anyway, I won. He lost. So now he has to plan a romantic date for the two of us. For my social media.”
Maya’s eyes lit up. “Oh, this is perfect. He’s going to have to actually put effort into being romantic.”
“Knowing him, he’ll probably try to wiggle out of it,” I muttered.
“Oh no, he won’t.” Maya’s expression turned calculating. “Maddox takes bets seriously. Always has. The question is…” She drummed her fingers on the counter. “What would actually be romantic to you?”
I blinked before narrowing my eyes. “If you’re thinking about planning this for him, think again. It’s not about what I think is romantic but about what he does.”
“Listen, my brother’s going to panic about this. He’ll probably overthink the hell out of it and grumble about everything else being too cheesy.” Maya leaned forward. “So what would actually make you happy? Like, forget what you think you’re supposed to want. What would feel special to you?”
Before I could answer that, actually, dinner and a movie with Maddox sounded pretty nice to me, the bell jingled, and Mrs. Hoffman bustled in, shaking snow from her coat.
“Adrian! Perfect timing. I was just wondering how you’re settling in. This weather certainly takes some getting used to, doesn’t it?”
“It’s… definitely unpredictable,” I admitted. “Takes some adjusting.”
Maya caught Mrs. Hoffman’s eye and made some kind of subtle gesture. Mrs. Hoffman’s expression sharpened with interest.
“I imagine everything about Legacy is an adjustment for someone used to city life,” Mrs. Hoffman continued, but now it felt like she was fishing for something. “What’s been the biggest surprise for you? Good or bad?”
I thought about it. “Honestly? How quiet it is. Not just the noise level, but… I don’t know how to explain it. In LA, I feel like I’m always on, even when I’m alone. Here, sometimes I catch myself just… being.”
Maya and Mrs. Hoffman exchanged a meaningful look. Whatever it was they weren’t saying, I felt like I was being managed silently, and I knew why.
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever the two of you are up to, give it a rest, okay? Maddox isn’t interested in me like that.”
Maya pursed her lips. “Maddox says he isn’t interested. But those videos say something completely different.”
Mrs. Hoffman nodded. “You two have such wonderful chemistry. And poor Maddox has been alone for far too long.”
“Like I said, he’s not interested,” I repeated, shrugging as if I wasn’t as bothered by it as I truly was. “And honestly, it’s probably smart of him. It’s not like he’d ever leave Legacy.”
“Absolutely not!” Mrs. Hoffman insisted, while at the same time Maya said, “Why not?”
I didn’t want to have this conversation. It was ridiculous. Maddox and I were… well, we were nothing. There wasn’t a true path to happiness between us, so what was the point in talking about it?
“And I’m not made for small towns,” I concluded, smiling in an attempt to lighten the conversation. “I’m made for mani-pedis, mimosa brunches, and same-day Amazon Prime shipping, which—by the way—you cannot get in Legacy, Montana. Had I known that—”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” The vehemence in Mrs. Hoffman’s voice made me jump. She stepped closer, her expression softening. “Do you hear yourself? Imagine if Maya had just described herself that way.”
I firmed my jaw. “I would have been surprised, but I might have invited her to LA.”
“Nonsense. You would have told her that people can change. That they can even compromise. You might have reminded her that there may be chapters in your life where you try new things. Maybe you think you aren’t made for small towns because you’ve never lived in a small town.” Her face softened. “Don’t knock it till you try it.”