Chapter 11: A Winter Date

As the morning light fills the mansion, Maryanne slowly makes her way down the steps. The house is bustling, and she can hear the lighthearted conversation between Jeff and Geneva echoing through the air. The smell of bacon reaches her nose and her stomach growls. Holding on to her abdomen, Maryanne makes her way down into the dining room, where Riley sits at the large table, Geneva placing eggs and bacon in front of her.
Max stands to the side, his shoulders broad, his thick jaw clenched. His hair, usually slicked back, is down across his forehead. He turns toward her and she moves her gaze to his neck, so she does not have to look him in the eye.
“Good morning,” Max nods softly.
Maryanne only smiles back in greeting and pulls the ends of her cardigan closer before folding her arms.
“Please, sit down.” Geneva ushers Maryanne to one of the chairs as several plates of food are carried in by Jeff. He is young, his long hair tied back in a bun.
Max sits near Maryanne at the opposite end of the table from Riley, who plays with her eggs. As soon as the plate is placed in front of her, Maryanne begins to scarf it down, her hunger demanding the sustenance.
Max pauses, watching her for a moment, a soft smirk curling the edges of his lips.
They remain in silence eating, until Geneva speaks up.
“Miss, Riley has been asking to go play outside all morning, but I have too much to do here. I have to train the new part-time housekeeper that starts today.” Her shoulders are slumped as she picks up pieces of egg that Riley has dropped on the floor.
Maryanne finishes chewing her food before responding. “Oh, uh, I have the day off, I don’t mind.”
Max sets his fork down. “Are you sure you should be going outside? It’s going to be even colder than yesterday.”
She only shrugs, barely looking at him. Is this his way of accepting her apology and moving on? “Did you want to come with? If not, I will be fine.” She adds the last sentence quickly, afraid that he may tease her for asking him.
“I’ll come with.”
Maryanne’s gaze now meets his, shock wracking her body. He can’t be serious.
“You don’t have to.”
Max’s eyes are tense and unwavering as he says, “I want to.”
She can tell that he is set on going.
She nods softly, wiping her hands on her napkin before standing. “Okay. Come on Riley, let’s go get your snowsuit on.”
The little girl squeals as she pushes herself off the chair and runs up to Maryanne’s side, grabbing her hand. She laughs along with as the take each step up the stairs one-by-one.

>><<

As Riley runs ahead of them, picking up snow and throwing it into the air, Maryanne smiles. For a girl that lost both of her parents recently, Riley is adjusting very well. They pass by several families with moms and dads laughing with their children. A few women glance up, watching Maryanne and Max.
She glances down, embarrassment heating up her face. She wonders what they are thinking they see them together. Riley runs as fast as she can, trudging through the snow. Her cheeks become pink as her nose runs.
Overwhelmed by the silence, Maryanne blurts out, “Why did you decide to come?”
Max turns his gaze toward her, “Because you asked.”
“I was rude to you.”
He huffs, “Maryanne, we don’t always have to agree on everything.”
She stares into his strong gaze, her heart pounding. His pupils dilate and heat builds in Maryanne’s cheeks, fighting against the cold air.
“How can you forget about the past so easily?” She averts her gaze and watches as Riley jumps into a pile of snow, spreading her limbs to make a snow angel.
Max lowers his head, his breath white as it leaves his body, “I haven’t forgotten. I have a business to run, and now Riley to look after. I do not have the luxury to acknowledge my pain.”
Maryanne watches his profile as he stares out at the park; the other families playing and sledding. Her heart twists as she remembers the fun they used to have. The jokes they shared and the late night movie dates.
“You were hurt?”
Max swivels his gaze back toward her, capturing her in place, “What do you mean?”
“Back then. When I stopped responding.”
His lips twitch in a small attempt at a smile, but he does not answer.
“Riley is getting cold, we should be getting back.” He moves to the girl as she falls on her butt, giggling with two other children. He picks her up and starts walking toward the car.
Maryanne is unable to move at first, her mind overwhelmed. What did he mean? He was the one seeing other women. How could he have been hurt when she ghosted him?
Blinking away her reverie, she follows after, helping to get Riley buckled in her car seat before sitting in the passenger seat.

>><<

“Ahh,” Maryanne sighs as she dips her body into the steaming bubble bath. The icy core that is still frozen from being outside for so long is slowly melted as she unclenches every muscle one by one. Closing her eyes, she leans back, reveling in the privacy.
It has been hours since they have been home and yet the cold refuses to leave her body.
Bringing up her hand, she allows the bubbles to line her arm.
She smiles as she ponders her day. It was nice to go out and spend time with Max and Riley. It made her feel as though they are actually a family. She shakes her head, wondering how it has all changed so quickly.
As her body finally begins to relax, the door to the bathroom is flung open and Max towers over her. Squeaking, Maryanne covers her breasts. The water in the tub sloshes around, escaping out onto the floor. Heat explodes in her face, but all she can register is the heated gaze that Max has on her, his eyes running the length of her body. At least what he can see anyway.
Maryanne opens her mouth to speak, but words fail her and she remains frozen, wondering what Max will do next.